Molten, gooey chocolate paired with tart raspberries and vanilla ice cream makes this the perfect dessert for two!

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup 60% bittersweet chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli)
  • ½ tsp espresso powder (optional, but recommended for a darker chocolate flavor)
  • 3 Tbsp butter
  • 2 tsp bourbon
  • ½ tsp vanilla
  • 3 Tbsp powdered sugar
  • 3 Tbsp dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg, room temp
  • 1 egg yolk, room temp
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 1/8 tsp kosher salt (tiny pinch)
  • Cooking spray
  • Ice cream, white chocolate shavings, powdered sugar, and/or cocoa powder for serving (optional)

Tools & Timing

  • 2 baking ramekins
  • Cookie sheet
  • Glass bowl and heatproof whisk
  • Medium prep bowl and small prep bowl
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Oven mitts.
  • Serving plates (individual).

Background

This recipe is a mashup inspired by recipes from Baker by Nature and Southern Living.

Step-by-step

*Set out eggs about 30 minutes before you want to begin.

  1. Preheat oven to 450.
  2. Spray two ramekins with cooking spray (coat well) – set on baking sheet.
  3. In small prep bowl, combine bourbon and vanilla. Set aside.
  4. Place butter and chocolate chips into glass dish. Heat in 20 second increments, stirring between (this takes me 40 seconds total).
  5. Transfer chocolate mixture to medium prep bowl. Add espresso powder and whisk to combine.
  6. Add in vanilla bourbon mixture, whisking slowly and constantly.
  7. Add brown and powdered sugars. Whisk to combine.
  8. Add egg yolk. Whisk to combine.
  9. Add egg. Whisk to combine.
  10. Switch to your rubber spatula for this last part – add flour and a pinch of salt. Slowly fold until just combined.
  11. Transfer  chocolate mixture to prepared baking ramekins. Place on center of cookie sheet and place on the center rack in the oven.
  12. Bake for 11 minutes.
  13. Remove from oven and let sit for exactly 1 minute.
  14. Working with one ramekin at a time, place a small plate on top of lava cake and flip upside down (wear your oven mitts for this). Do the same with the other lava cake.
  15. Use a spoon and tap around the bottom edges of both ramekins (they are still upside down).
  16. Remove ramekins (your mitts are still on).
  17. TADA!

Serve Immediately and Enjoy

Other Options

These are EXCELLENT with raspberries (see my recipe for raspberry coulis).