Description
Soft on the outside and ooey-gooey on the inside — these Chocolate Lava Cookies are molten chocolate heaven in cookie form. Rich, fudgy, and irresistibly gooey, they bake in minutes and are perfect served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Easy to make and showstopping to serve!
Ingredients
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 tsp pure vanilla extract
¾ cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp instant espresso powder (optional, enhances chocolate flavor)
8 pieces dark chocolate truffles or baking chocolate squares (for lava centers)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the butter and 1 cup chocolate chips together in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Let cool slightly.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla until combined and slightly fluffy.
4. Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the sugar-egg mixture and stir to combine.
5. Sift in flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder. Fold gently until a soft dough forms.
6. Portion about 2 tablespoons of dough, flatten slightly, place one piece of chocolate truffle in the center, and cover with another small scoop of dough; pinch to seal.
7. Place dough balls on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Optionally press an extra chocolate chip on top.
8. Bake 9–11 minutes until the tops are set and slightly cracked but centers are still soft.
9. Cool the cookies on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack. Serve warm for molten centers.
Notes
Don’t overbake — the molten center depends on a short bake time.
If you prefer a less molten center, bake 1–2 minutes longer.
For easier assembly, chill dough briefly (10–15 minutes) to make shaping simpler.
To make ahead: freeze dough balls (with truffle inside) on a tray, then store in a freezer bag; bake from frozen with +2 minutes baking time.
Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt before baking for a wonderful sweet-salty contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg