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Father's Day Dessert Ideas

Chocolate Lava Cakes – A Sweet Father's Day Treat

With a molten center and decadent flavor, these chocolate lava cakes are a crowd-pleasing favorite that feel extra special with minimal effort. Perfect for celebrating Dad on Father's Day or any special occasion.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chocolate Lava Cake, Father's Day Dessert, Molten Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Dessert
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Rest Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 cakes
Calories: 420kcal

Equipment

  • 4 6-ounce ramekins
  • Baking Sheet
  • Microwave-safe Bowl
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk

Ingredients

Lava Cake Base

  • 6 ounces high-quality semi-sweet chocolate chopped (70% cacao recommended)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 large egg yolks room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder optional, enhances chocolate flavor

For Preparing Ramekins

  • butter for greasing
  • cocoa powder for dusting

For Serving (Optional)

  • vanilla ice cream
  • fresh berries
  • whipped cream

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Thoroughly grease four 6-ounce ramekins with butter, then dust with cocoa powder.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chopped chocolate and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until completely melted and smooth.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt (plus espresso powder if using).
  • Add eggs and egg yolks to the dry ingredients and whisk until completely combined.
  • Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and gently fold together until combined. Be careful not to overmix – 12-15 gentle folding motions should do it.
  • Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins, filling each about ¾ full.
  • Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes until the edges are firm but the centers are still soft. The tops should be set but slightly jiggly in the middle.
  • Allow to cool for exactly one minute before running a knife around the edges and inverting onto serving plates.
  • Serve immediately with vanilla ice cream or fresh berries if desired.

Notes

For guaranteed molten centers, look for set edges but a slightly jiggly middle when removing from the oven.
Make ahead option: Prepare batter up to 24 hours in advance, cover ramekins with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Add 2 minutes to baking time if cooking from refrigerated.
If you don't have ramekins, you can use a muffin tin. Reduce the baking time by 2 minutes.
For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.
For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with almond flour or a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 215mg | Sodium: 180mg | Potassium: 220mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 620IU | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2.5mg
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