The ONE Recipe You Should Master For Valentine's Day

Kristen Aiken
Updated

Molten lava cake is an individually portioned chocolate cake that breaks open to reveal a soft, fudge-like center (which is really just perfectly under-baked batter). Though it looks ordinary from the outside, once broken it reveals a deliciously tender core. It’s a lot like your heart.

The original version of the molten lava cake was created by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, whose chefs bake more than 1,000 of these legendary desserts every day at his restaurant, Jean-Georges. Ever since the dish’s creation, chefs, recipe developers and food bloggers have come up with myriad versions of this gooey cake, catering to all different tastes and skill levels.

Though it may seem like an intimidating recipe to master, it’s really not. Most recipes call for 4-ounce molds or ramekins, but in a pinch a nonstick muffin tin will do just fine. And the ingredient list for the classic recipe is short and sweet ― butter, chocolate, eggs, sugar and flour ― which gives you few excuses to pretend this dish is too complicated for you.

The biggest trick is timing: Lava cakes are best served hot, immediately after they come out of the oven. If you wait too long, the chocolate lava will turn into something more akin to lava rock.

If your heart melts for someone this Valentine’s Day ― or any day, really ― make them a dessert that shows it. Below are 13 of our favorite molten lava cake recipes. If you want to practice a few times before Feb. 14, we highly suggest doing so and eating all the results.

Easiest Chocolate Molten Lava Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2017/02/02/chocolate-lava-cakes/" target="_blank">Easiest Chocolate Molten Lava Cake recipe</a>&nbsp;from Sally's Baking Addicition</strong>
Get the Easiest Chocolate Molten Lava Cake recipe from Sally's Baking Addicition

Vegan Chocolate Lava Cakes

<strong>Get the <a href="https://minimalistbaker.com/vegan-chocolate-lava-cakes/" target="_blank">Vegan Chocolate Lava Cakes</a> recipe from Minimalist Baker</strong>
Get the Vegan Chocolate Lava Cakes recipe from Minimalist Baker

Molten Nutella Lava Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://kirbiecravings.com/2015/12/molten-nutella-lava-cakes.html" target="_blank">Molten Nutella Lava Cake recipe</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;Kirbie's Cravings</strong>
Get the Molten Nutella Lava Cake recipe from Kirbie's Cravings

Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava Cakes

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.lemontreedwelling.com/2016/01/chocolate-peanut-butter-lava-cakes.html" target="_blank">Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava Cakes recipe</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;Lemon Tree Dwelling</strong>
Get the Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava Cakes recipe from Lemon Tree Dwelling

The Best And The Easiest Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

<strong>Get <a href="https://www.averiecooks.com/2015/04/the-best-and-the-easiest-molten-chocolate-lava-cakes.html" target="_blank">The Best And The Easiest Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes</a> recipe from Averie Cooks</strong>

Raspberry Molten Lava Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.texanerin.com/raspberry-molten-lava-cakes/" target="_blank">Raspberry Molten Lava Cake recipe</a>&nbsp;from Texanerin</strong>
Get the Raspberry Molten Lava Cake recipe from Texanerin

Black Bean Lava Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.thehealthymaven.com/2014/02/black-bean-lava-cakes.html" target="_blank">Black Bean Lava Cake recipe</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;The Healthy Maven</strong>
Get the Black Bean Lava Cake recipe from The Healthy Maven

Red Velvet Molten Lava Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/red-velvet-molten-chocolate-lava-cakes-chocolate-ganache-center/" target="_blank">Red Velvet Molten Lava Cake recipe</a>&nbsp;from Half Baked Harvest</strong>
Get the Red Velvet Molten Lava Cake recipe from Half Baked Harvest

Oreo Lava Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://kirbiecravings.com/2015/12/oreo-lava-cakes.html" target="_blank">Oreo Lava Cake recipe</a>&nbsp;from Kirbie's Cravings</strong>
Get the Oreo Lava Cake recipe from Kirbie's Cravings

Mexican Chocolate Lava Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/mexican-hot-chocolate-molten-lava-cakes/" target="_blank">Mexican Chocolate Lava Cake recipe</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;Gimme Some Oven</strong>
Get the Mexican Chocolate Lava Cake recipe from Gimme Some Oven

Molten Lava Brownies

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.handletheheat.com/lava-brownies/" target="_blank">Molten Lava Brownies</a> recipe from Handle The Heat</strong>
Get the Molten Lava Brownies recipe from Handle The Heat

Perfect Molten Lava Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://thedomesticrebel.com/2015/07/15/perfect-molten-lava-cakes/" target="_blank">Perfect Molten Lava Cake recipe</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;The Domestic Rebel</strong>
Get the Perfect Molten Lava Cake recipe from The Domestic Rebel

If you're not a chocolate person: Lemon Molten Lava Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.cookingclassy.com/lemon-molten-lava-cakes/" target="_blank">Lemon Molten Lava Cake recipe</a>&nbsp;from Cooking Classy</strong>
Get the Lemon Molten Lava Cake recipe from Cooking Classy

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Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.averiecooks.com/2015/04/the-best-and-the-easiest-molten-chocolate-lava-cakes.html" target="_blank">Molten Chocolate Lava Cake recipe</a> from Averie Cooks</strong>
Get the Molten Chocolate Lava Cake recipe from Averie Cooks

No Bake Milk Chocolate Bailey’s Truffle Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/03/no-bake-milk-chocolate-baileys-truffle-cake/">No Bake Milk Chocolate Bailey’s Truffle Cake recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is</strong>

Chocolate Cake With Whipped Mocha Ganache Frosting

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/chocolate-cake-with-whipped-mocha-ganache-frosting/" target="_blank">Chocolate Cake with Whipped Mocha Ganache Frosting recipe</a> from Brown Eyed Baker</strong>

Fudgy One-Bowl Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pretzel Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/fudgy-one-bowl-chocolate-peanut-butter-cup-pretzel-cake/" target="_blank">Fudgy One-Bowl Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pretzel Cake recipe</a> from Half Baked Harvest</strong>

Chocolate Almond Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.completelydelicious.com/2013/09/chocolate-almond-cake.html" target="_blank">Chocolate Almond Cake recipe</a> from Completely Delicious</strong>
Get the Chocolate Almond Cake recipe from Completely Delicious

Six-Layer Chocolate Cake With Toasted Marshmallow Filling And Malted Chocolate Frosting

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/six-layer-chocolate-cake-with-toasted-marshmallow-filling-malted-chocolate-frosting/" target="_blank">Six-Layer Chocolate Cake with Toasted Marshmallow Filling and Malted Chocolate Frosting recipe</a> from Brown Eyed Baker</strong>

Hibiscus Chocolate Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.hummingbirdhigh.com/2015/10/a-naked-hibiscus-chocolate-cake.html" target="_blank">Hibiscus Chocolate Cake recipe</a> Hummingbird High</strong>
Get the Hibiscus Chocolate Cake recipe Hummingbird High

Chocolate Poke Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/2015/05/06/chocolate-poke-cake/" target="_blank">Chocolate Poke Cake recipe</a> from Life, Love & Sugar</strong>
Get the Chocolate Poke Cake recipe from Life, Love & Sugar

Healthier Chocolate Lovers Sweet Corn And Hazelnut Crunch Chocolate Cake With Ganache

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/healthier-chocolate-lovers-sweet-corn-hazelnut-crunch-chocolate-cake-wganache/" target="_blank">Healthier Chocolate Lovers Sweet Corn and Hazelnut Crunch Chocolate Cake with Ganache recipe</a> from Half Baked Harvest</strong>

Fudge Mountain Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.yammiesnoshery.com/2012/12/fudge-mountain-cake.html" target="_blank">Fudge Mountain Cake recipe</a> from Yammie's Noshery</strong>
Get the Fudge Mountain Cake recipe from Yammie's Noshery

One-Bowl Vegan Chocolate Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://minimalistbaker.com/one-bowl-vegan-chocolate-cake/" target="_blank">One-Bowl Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe</a> from Minimalist Baker</strong>
Get the One-Bowl Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe from Minimalist Baker

Frozen Chocolate Pudding And Wafer Cake

<strong>Get the<a href="http://www.averiecooks.com/2012/08/frozen-chocolate-pudding-and-wafer-cake.html" target="_blank"> Frozen Chocolate Pudding And Wafer Cake recipe</a> from Averie Cooks</strong>
Get the Frozen Chocolate Pudding And Wafer Cake recipe from Averie Cooks

Chocolate Chip Chocolate Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/mrs-dills-chocolate-cake/" target="_blank">Chocolate Chip Chocolate Cake recipe</a> from Brown Eyed Baker</strong>
Get the Chocolate Chip Chocolate Cake recipe from Brown Eyed Baker

Triple Chocolate Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/04/08/triple-chocolate-layer-cake/" target="_blank">Triple Chocolate Cake recipe</a> from Sally's Baking Addiction</strong>
Get the Triple Chocolate Cake recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction

Magic Gooey Chocolate Meringue Texas Sheet Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/magic-gooey-chocolate-meringue-texas-sheet-cake/" target="_blank">Magic Gooey Chocolate Meringue Texas Sheet Cake recipe</a> from Half Baked Harvest</strong>

Nutella Chocolate Layer Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/2014/11/12/nutella-chocolate-cake/" target="_blank">Nutella Chocolate Layer Cake recipe</a> from Life, Love & Sugar</strong>
Get the Nutella Chocolate Layer Cake recipe from Life, Love & Sugar

Chocolate Bourbon Caramel Macaron Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/chocolate-bourbon-caramel-macaron-cake-to-celebrate-my-little-kind-of-big-secret/" target="_blank">Chocolate Bourbon Caramel Macaron Cake recipe</a> from Half Baked Harvest</strong>

Dark Chocolate Yogurt Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/04/dark-chocolate-yogurt-cake/">Dark Chocolate Yogurt Cake recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is</strong>
Get the Dark Chocolate Yogurt Cake recipe from How Sweet It Is

Double Dark Chocolate Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://wee-eats.com/2011/06/06/chocolate-cake/">Double Dark Chocolate Cake recipe</a> fromWee Eats</strong>
Get the Double Dark Chocolate Cake recipe fromWee Eats

Smash Chocolate Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.bakersroyale.com/cakes/low-fat-chocolate-pound-cake/" target="_blank">Smash Chocolate Cake recipe</a> from Bakers Royale</strong>
Get the Smash Chocolate Cake recipe from Bakers Royale

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