What is the difference between molten cake and lava cake?

While both molten cakes and lava cakes typically contain similar ingredients (such as chocolate, butter, eggs, sugar, and flour), the specific recipes may vary. Lava cakes are always chocolate-based, while molten cakes could be made with other flavors like lemon, caramel, or even fruit .

What is the lava in lava cake made of?

Molten Chocolate Cakes, also known as Lava Cakes, are warm individual-size chocolate cakes with oozing chocolate centres. Most recipes will simply have you undercooking a chocolate cake batter, so the outside is set like cake but the inside is raw batter that pours out like lava when you cut into it. Hence the name!

How do you heat up molten lava cake from chili's?

Place your lava cake on a microwave-safe plate and cover the cake with a piece of damp paper towel. On medium heat, warm the cake in 10-20 second intervals . Once hot, remove the paper towel and serve.

Why did my lava cake fail?

The temperature is far too low to bake a molten lava cake . The cake depends on cooking the outer edge of the batter quickly, before the inside has chance to set, but hot enough so the center is warm and gooey. Lava cakes should be baked at 425°F, for between 8 - 12 minutes, depending on the size of the ramekin.

What can I use instead of ramekins for lava cake?

If you don't have ramekins, you can use a standard muffin pan . Grease 6 muffin pan cups and dust with cocoa powder to prevent the lava cakes from sticking. Because your lava cakes will be slightly smaller, you'll get 6 lava cakes instead of 4. Bake at 425°F (218°C) for 8–10 minutes.

Is lava cake just undercooked cake?

In the 2014 movie "Chef," chef Carl Caper, portrayed by Jon Favreau, argues that chocolate lava cake isn't just "undercooked chocolate cake." The "molten" aspect of the dessert comes from a disc of frozen chocolate ganache that melts in the center of the treat as the cake bakes around it. He's not wrong.

Why is my lava cake dry?

Lava cakes are pretty easy to make, but if you're having problems with it collapsing or being dry in the middle, you haven't quite nailed the cooking time . If your molten lava cake collapses, bake it for a little longer next time. If it doesn't have the liquid chocolate in the center, shorten your baking time.

Does molten lava cake need to be refrigerated?

Yes, both unbaked and baked Lava Cakes should be refrigerated. Can I double or triple the recipe? Yes! You can double or triple the recipe, but the cakes will likely need an extra minute or two in the oven.

Why is it called molten lava cake?

Molten chocolate cake is a French dessert that consists of a chocolate cake with a liquid chocolate core. It is named for that molten center , and it is also known as mi-cuit au chocolat, chocolat coulant ("flowing"), chocolate lava cake, or simply lava cake.

Can you reheat molten lava cakes?

Wrap well in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. You can thaw frozen lava cakes overnight in the fridge and reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 8 minutes . Alternatively, you can reheat them from frozen in a preheated 400°F oven for 15-18 minutes.

Is Molten Lava Cake safe?

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava Cakes are baked at 425 degrees so the batter is able to reach 165 degrees in the center, rendering them safe to eat .

What is a fancy name for lava cake?

What is another word for lava cake? souffle cake dessert molten chocolate cake French dessert tart fondant gateau pudding kuchen 13 more rows

Does Dairy Queen have molten lava cakes?

MOLTEN . LAVA CAKE A rich, moist chocolate cake filled with a gooey fudge center served hot from the oven with a side of DQ vanilla soft serve that is topped with hot fudge.

Copycat Chili's Molten Lava Cake Recipe (2024)

Home · Recipes · Method · Baking · Copycat Chili’s Molten Lava Cake Recipe

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25 minutes mins

44 Comments

5 from 1 vote

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Ooey Gooey center, melted icream dripping down the sides, hot fudge drizzled on top. Do I have your attention yet? GOOD! You need to make this!

If you asked me my favorite dessert, I would tell you Chili’s Molten Lava Cake without any hesitation!

I don’t know if anything gets better than moist chocolate cake with a gooey center topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate shell topping. Seriously, it is perfection! You’ll be shocked how easy this recipe is to make!

Copycat Chili's Molten Lava Cake Recipe (2)

So, we love this recipe so much. You can bake them and then when they have cooled, put them into freezer Ziploc bags and stack them in your freezer.

When you are ready for a delicious dessert, just pull them out of the freezer and thaw at room temp for about an hour.

Here is the recipe for Chili’s Molten Hot Fudge Molten Lava Cakes that make 12 cakes at a time. This is the recipe our mom used when making hundreds for a wedding reception. They are moist and so delicious and use a cake mix.

“I have so much time!” -No mom ever

Let us give you your time back. With the Six Sisters’ Meal Plans, we do the dinner planning, grocery ordering, and then all you have to do is decide whether to pick them up or have them delivered.

Get My Meal Plans NOW!

Tips when making molten hot lava cakes:

If you don’t have oven safe bowls, you can get some Pyrex bowls HERE. You can also use a muffin tin, but instead of making 4, it will make 6 smaller ones.
I would suggest buying Nestle, or Kroger Milk Chocolate Chips. They just tend to melt better in the microwave.
Make sure you spray the bowls well with non stick spray, so they will come out easier.
Bake on a cookie sheet. This is important just in case it goes over the edge! Then it will be on your cookie sheet instead of burning on the bottom of your oven.
When it is done, don’t let it cool for too long! Remember, you want to eat them HOT and Gooey! (well, at least I do!)

Looking for more of Six Sisters’ Stuff Copy Cat recipes? Find our favorites here:

WInger’s Sticky Fingers
Copy Cat Papa John’s Pizza
Copycat Chili’s Salsa
Chili’s Copycat Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

Serves: 4

Copycat Chili’s Molten Lava Cake Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Ooey Gooey center, melted icream dripping down the sides, hot fudge drizzled on top. Do I have your attention yet? GOOD! You need to make this!

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

PrintPin

Ingredients

1 cup milk chocolate chips (or semi sweet)
½ cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
3 eggs
1 egg yolk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
6 Tablespoons flour
caramel sauce for drizzling
Vanilla ice cream
Smuckers Chocolate Magic Shellice cream topping for drizzling

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a microwave-safe bowl combine chocolate chips and butter. Microwave for 2 minutes and whisk until smooth.
Whisk in powdered sugar until combined.
See Also
How to make Champurrado Recipe│Mexican thick Chocolate 21 Healthy Fall Dessert Recipes to Wrap up Your Meal in Cozy Style Easy Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe - One Sweet Appetite Spicy Mexican Chocolate Fudge (Easy Recipe)
Add 3 eggs and 1 egg yolk, and whisk until combined.
Add vanilla and flour and mix again.
Generously spray four 1 cupoven-safe cupswith cooking spray, and evenly fill with batter.
Bake on a cookie sheet in the oven for 13-15 minutes until the outer edges are set and the center is still soft.
Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes before inverting onto a plate drizzled with caramel sauce.
Top cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle magic shell topping on top.

Video

Notes

Recipe adapted fromI Wash, You Dry

Nutrition

Calories: 571 kcal · Carbohydrates: 58 g · Protein: 6 g · Fat: 36 g · Saturated Fat: 21 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 8 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 241 mg · Sodium: 263 mg · Potassium: 71 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 46 g · Vitamin A: 952 IU · Calcium: 33 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Equipment

Microwave Safe Bowl
4 1 cup, Oven Safe Cups
Cookie Sheet
Non-stick Cooking Spray

Recipe Details

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Copycat Chili's Molten Lava Cake Recipe (6)

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Monica says:

Can you make and hold the cooking?
Rachel Radue says:

I'm confused. What makes the "lava" inside? The warm runny chocolate that's inside the cake????
Cyd says:

It just happens with the ingredients! Trust us! This is one of our favorite dessert recipes.
CVD says:

I just made this and it was yummy ?
Wendy says:

Yes you can..!
Cindy says:

Can I make them the day before and warm them to surve
Sarah says:

Do you use plain flour or self rising?
Cyd says:

We used regular all purpose flour.
Annie says:

What size of the egg? Medium or large?
Cyd says:

We always use large eggs.
Mary says:

Loved this super easy recipe. I wasn’t sure how the large amount of confectioners sugar and the small amount of flour would work out in a “cake”, but it was fantastic. Now one of my grandkid’s go-to dessert recipes. Thanks
Angel says:

I just tried this but I didn't have a gooey center. I may have placed this in the oven a minute or so longer than I should have. It was delicious though. Thank you for sharing the recipe
Kas says:

When your mom made these and froze them, how did she warm them for the reception? It's just my husband and I and he does not eat dessert. And fortunately I cannot eat all of them myself LOL.
Cyd says:

Hi Kas. I am the mom of the Six Sisters. We did not serve them warm for the reception. They were served at room temp. But they are best when served warm. You can easily microwave them and they are so amazing. Maybe microwave for about 20 - 30 seconds. You'll just have to experiment on the length of time to heat them up. Enjoy! They are so yummy. We had hot fudge on them at the reception, so that warmed them up a little. :)
See Also
Champurrado Recipe - The Recipe Critic
Kait says:

I don’t understand what makes the runny center. It was just a cake and not super goey either when completely cooked. It must have been I put the cake in the oven a minute or two longer.
Ashley Hall says:

How long should I cook them in a muffin tin?
Cyd says:

You will kind of have to keep an eye on them. It will be less cooking time. Cook until the outer edges are set and the middle is still kind of soft.
Deanna says:

Is it possible to make this dairy free? Could I use coconut oil or Crisco instead of butter? I have dairy free chocolate chips.
Cyd says:

We have not made this recipe using coconut oil or Crisco. So we can't give you an accurate answer. But if you have used it as a substitute before in a cake recipe that is similar, it will probably work out fine.
Haley says:

How many lava cakes does this recipe make? I’m excited to try it!
Cyd says:

This recipe makes 4.
Christym says:

What size muffin tin was used for this. It sounds very yummy.
Cyd says:

This is the fluted muffin pan we used. https://amzn.to/2SD8pfw
Leola says:

Can I make the batter ahead of time and bake later?
Cyd says:

We have only baked these lava cakes right after making the batter. The good thing is that you can make the batter in 10 minutes or less.
Larry Twoass says:

yes
Pamela Bailey says:

Do you use milk chocolate chips or semisweet? In your notes above you suggest Nestle or Kroger milk chocolate chips, but the recipe says semisweet.
Cyd says:

We used Milk Chocolate Chips, but if you love semi sweet that will work too.
Kelly says:

My kids loved this! It is spot on first chili's lava cake.
Rabia Shaik says:

I made this today, and I cooked it for exactly 13 minutes, but the middle wasn't runny :(
Lu says:

I accidentally used more sugar instead of flour...
Kathy says:

My family loved this cake! It was so easy to make. We will definitely have it again and again.
Rebecca says:

The instructions say to spray four 1 cup bowls and links bowls on Amazon, but the linked bowls are four cups each. What size bowls should be used in this recipe?
Momma Cyd says:

Thanks so much for catching that. We have updated the post. Here is the link to the bowls. 6 ounce Pyrex bowls
Joy and Annelise says:

My daughter and I made these. I didn't think it would work because there is no rising agent in the recipe. But they turned out great!
Ana says:

Hello! I am new at baking. I wonder - can I substitute the powdered sugar for cocoa powder? Thanks!
Momma Cyd says:

That will not work out well for this recipe.
Ana says:

Thanks so much for the reply. I bought the powdered sugar and will try the recipe this weekend! :)
Momma Cyd says:

Good luck! It's so yummy!
Linda Adkins says:

These are AWESOME !CAN you make these into brownies maybe 8x8 pan ? What's your thoughts and how long should I bake them ? Thanks
Momma Cyd says:

We have only made these as directed on the recipe. We have not tried them in an 8x8 inch pan.
Ana says:

I baked them a while ago and they were heavenly!! I searched and your recipe is the best and easiest of all. I left a couple in the freezer and ate them later and they were so fresh and delicious! I don’t have a Chili’s in NYC but thanks to you I have my lava molten cake! Thanks so much :)
Momma Cyd says:

We are so glad to hear that you like these copycat Molten Lava Cakes. Have a great week!!
Edith says:

My guests went wild over it. Thank you for the recipe 👍🏻

About The Author:

Momma Cyd

Cyd is the mom of the six sisters and joined the team early on to help out. She shares the best of the best recipes from her kitchen.

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