Black Forest Lava Cakes (Printable Version)
Decadent chocolate lava cakes with cherry compote centers, topped with whipped cream and fresh cherries.
# The Ingredients You'll Need:
→ For the Cherry Compote
01 - 1 cup (150 g) pitted cherries, fresh or frozen
02 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar
03 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 1 tbsp Kirsch (cherry brandy; optional)
→ For the Lava Cakes
05 - 120 g (4.25 oz) dark chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped
06 - 100 g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 2 large egg yolks
09 - 80 g (2/3 cup) powdered sugar
10 - 40 g (1/3 cup) all-purpose flour
11 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ For Garnish
12 - 1 cup (240 ml) whipped cream
13 - 6 fresh cherries or maraschino cherries
14 - Dark chocolate shavings (optional)
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - In a small saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 5–7 minutes until cherries soften and syrup thickens. Stir in Kirsch if using. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
02 - Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). Grease 6 ramekins (approx. 120 ml/4 oz each) with butter and lightly dust with flour. In a heatproof bowl, melt dark chocolate and butter together over a pot of simmering water (double boiler), stirring until smooth. Let cool slightly. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, egg yolks, and powdered sugar until pale and thick. Gently fold in the melted chocolate mixture. Sift in flour and salt; fold until just combined.
03 - Spoon half of the chocolate batter evenly into the prepared ramekins. Place 1–2 teaspoons of cherry compote in the center of each, avoiding the edges. Cover with the remaining batter, ensuring the compote is fully enclosed.
04 - Bake for 12 minutes, until the edges are set but centers are still soft. Remove from oven and let stand 1 minute. Run a knife around the edges and invert each cake onto a plate.
05 - Top each cake with a dollop of whipped cream, a cherry, and chocolate shavings if desired. Serve immediately for the perfect molten center.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Makes any dinner feel special with minimal effort
- Surprise cherry center brings a twist to classic lava cakes
- Can be prepped ahead for stress free entertaining
- Easy to customize for both adults and kids
- Impressive finish with simple garnishes
02 -
- Rich in chocolate for deep cocoa flavor
- Molten center and cherry compote create an indulgent duo
- Ready in roughly half an hour
- Easy to make without specialty equipment
03 -
- Use room temperature eggs for the fluffiest batter
- Always grease and flour ramekins well for easy release
- Do not overbake For the best molten center keep a close eye at the end of baking time