Chocolate Lava Cookies Recipe – The Ultimate Ooey-Gooey Chocolate Treat

Soft on the outside, molten and dreamy on the inside — these Chocolate Lava Cookies are pure chocolate heaven! Imagine warm, melty centers oozing with dark cocoa goodness, surrounded by a soft, chewy cookie shell. They’re a hug in cookie form, perfect for chocoholics (like me) who can’t resist that molten magic.

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Overview of Recipe Content

What are Chocolate Lava Cookies?

Chocolate Lava Cookies are the love child of your favorite brownie and a molten lava cake. These cookies have crisp edges, soft centers, and that irresistible molten core that spills out when you take a bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to make — no fancy tools or chilling required.
• Rich & indulgent — pure cocoa and real chocolate flavor.
• Crowd-pleaser — perfect for parties, holidays, or cozy nights in.
• Versatile — serve warm with ice cream or dusted with powdered sugar.

What It Tastes Like

Think of it as a brownie in cookie form — fudgy, slightly chewy, and bursting with molten chocolate. Every bite melts on your tongue!

Ingredients You’ll Need

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• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (plus extra for topping)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder (optional, but enhances chocolate flavor)
• Secret ingredient: 8 pieces of dark chocolate truffles or baking chocolate squares (these make the lava centers!)

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls
• Hand or stand mixer
• Cookie scoop or spoon
• Baking sheet + parchment paper
• Cooling rack

Suggested Substitutions

• Use vegan butter + flax eggs for a plant-based version.
• Swap chocolate chips for chopped dark chocolate for extra richness.
• Add a sprinkle of sea salt flakes on top before baking for contrast.

How to Make Chocolate Lava Cookies

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1. Preheat and Prep
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the Butter and Chocolate
   In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth and glossy. Let it cool slightly.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients
   In another bowl, whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla until fluffy and pale. Pour in the melted chocolate mixture and stir until combined.
4. Add Dry Ingredients
   Sift in flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder. Stir gently until a soft dough forms.
5. Shape the Cookies
   Scoop 2 tablespoons of dough, flatten slightly, and place a piece of your secret lava chocolate in the center. Cover with another spoon of dough, sealing the edges.
6. Bake to Perfection
   Bake for 9–11 minutes — just until the tops are set and slightly cracked. Don’t overbake; you want that gooey core!
7. Cool Slightly & Serve Warm
   Let cookies rest for 5 minutes before enjoying the molten magic inside. Serve with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

What to Serve with Chocolate Lava Cookies

These cookies shine brightest when paired with:

• A scoop of vanilla or espresso ice cream
• Homemade whipped cream
• A sprinkle of powdered sugar
• Hot chocolate or cappuccino on the side

If you’re planning a dessert night, try pairing them with my Homemade Brownie Sundae or Creamy Affogato Recipe.

Tips for Making It Perfect

• Don’t skip the cooling step after melting the chocolate — too hot and it’ll cook the eggs.
• Use good-quality chocolate — it makes all the difference.
• Bake in small batches to ensure even heat distribution.
• Want a molten-er center? Bake a minute less!

Storage Instructions

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerator: Keeps well up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls (without the chocolate center) for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2 minutes to baking time.

General Information

This dessert is inspired by classic French molten lava cake, but made cookie-style for easier sharing. It’s an elegant twist on everyday chocolate chip cookies — perfect for holidays, date nights, or cozy weekends.

For more chocolatey recipes, check out these favorites from my blog:

• No-Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Q: Why aren’t my centers molten?
They may be slightly overbaked. Next time, reduce baking time by 1–2 minutes.

Q: Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark?
Absolutely — just know they’ll be sweeter and less rich.

Q: Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend.

Conclusion

There’s nothing quite like pulling apart a warm cookie and watching that lava flow! These Chocolate Lava Cookies are a showstopper dessert that will wow your guests (and your sweet tooth).

If you loved this, you might also enjoy:

• Fudgy Brownie Cookies
• No-Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

Thanks for baking with me today — I can’t wait to see your cookie creations! Tag me on Pinterest or drop a comment below to share your thoughts.

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Nutritional Information

Serving Size	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sugar
1 cookie	245 kcal	29g	13g	3g	20g

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