Chili's Molten Lava Cake (Copycat Recipe)
Recreate Chili's famous dessert at home with this foolproof recipe. A perfect chocolate cake with a warm, flowing center, topped with vanilla ice cream and a crisp chocolate shell.
Servings 4
Calories 1052kcal
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons butter for ramekins
- ¼ cup cocoa for dusting ramekins
- 6 ounces baking chocolate (ideally 60% cacao)
- 6 ounces butter
- 2 whole eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 8 tablespoons Magic Shell
Instructions
- Grease the ramekins with butter. Then dust the buttered ramekins with cocoa powder.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the baking chocolate and butter.
- Microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and repeat until the chocolate and butter are melted.
- Whisk together the whole eggs, egg yolks, and sugar until they are lighter in color and foamy.
- Add the melted chocolate to the egg mixture.
- Stir in the vanilla extract, salt, and flour.
- Pour the batter into the ramekins.
- Cover the dishes with plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for approximately 12 to 15 minutes. The tops will be firm, but the insides will be melting.
- Unmold the cakes onto a plate.
- Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the lava cake.
- Pour Magic Shell over the vanilla ice cream.
- Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
Pro tips for success
- For best results, use high-quality baking chocolate, not chocolate chips.
- The chilling step is critical for achieving the molten center—don't skip it!
- Baking time varies by oven. Start checking at 12 minutes to avoid overcooking.
- Store leftover cakes (before baking) in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Frozen cakes can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
- The secret to perfect lava cakes is all in the timing—underbake slightly for that molten center, but bake long enough that the exterior is fully set and can hold its shape when unmolded.
Nutrition
Calories: 1052kcal | Carbohydrates: 99g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 75g | Saturated Fat: 45g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 305mg | Sodium: 667mg | Potassium: 735mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 65g | Vitamin A: 1652IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 189mg | Iron: 10mg
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