Trader Joe’s lava cake is a molten chocolate cake that is ooey-gooey, chocolaty, and irresistibly delicious. This copycat recipe will help you make lava cakes just like the ones from Trader Joe’s, with warm, melted chocolate centers. Read on to learn how to make this decadent dessert in just a few easy steps!
What You’ll Need
Making Trader Joe’s style lava cakes is simple with just a handful of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Bittersweet chocolate chips or chopped bittersweet chocolate
- Butter
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Powdered sugar for dusting
In addition, you’ll need:
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ramekins or oven-safe mugs
The full recipe with ingredient amounts and directions is included below.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients needed to make 4 lava cakes:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Bittersweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate | 200g (about 1 1/3 cups) |
| Butter | 170g (3/4 cup) |
| Granulated sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Eggs | 4 eggs |
| All-purpose flour | 1/4 cup |
| Powdered sugar | For dusting |
Directions
Follow these simple instructions for making copycat Trader Joe’s lava cakes:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Grease four 4-6 ounce ramekins with butter and dust with cocoa powder, tapping out the excess. You can also use oven-safe mugs.
- Add the chocolate chips and butter to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.
- Once melted, whisk the sugar into the chocolate mixture until no lumps remain. Let cool slightly.
- Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in the flour until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared ramekins, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 12-13 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers are still molten. The cakes will look set on top but will still jiggle slightly.
- Allow the lava cakes to cool in the ramekins for 5 minutes before inverting onto plates. Dust with powdered sugar.
- Serve immediately while still warm. Enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Lava Cakes
Follow these tips for lava cakes just like what you’ll get from the bakery at Trader Joe’s:
- Use high quality chocolate. Splurge on a good brand of bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate chips. This makes a difference in flavor.
- Don’t overbake. These are meant to be molten in the middle. Err on the side of slightly underbaked.
- Resist the urge to peek. Opening the oven door frequently can cause the cakes to overcook.
- Let cool before inverting. Allowing them to cool for a few minutes helps them hold their shape when you unmold them.
- Serve warm. Enjoy them straight out of the oven while the centers are still meltingly hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of chocolate do I use?
A high quality bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate works best. Ghirardelli and Guittard are great options. Stay away from chocolate chips or candy melts as they can contain stabilizers that affect the texture.
Can I make the lava cakes ahead of time?
You can make the batter up to 2 days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Do not bake the cakes ahead of time as they won’t have the right molten texture after being refrigerated.
How do I know when they’re done baking?
The lava cakes are ready when the edges are set and no longer look wet, but the centers still jiggle slightly. An inserted toothpick should come out with moist crumbs or fudgy batter.
Do I need to grease the ramekins?
Yes, it’s important to grease the ramekins well before pouring in the batter to help prevent the cakes from sticking. Butter works well, or you can use nonstick cooking spray. Dusting with cocoa powder also helps.
Can I make one large cake instead of individual ones?
Making one large 9-inch round lava cake is possible. However, you’ll need to increase the baking time to 20-25 minutes to ensure it cooks through while keeping the center molten.
Variations
Customize these molten chocolate cakes with your own creative twists:
- Add 1 teaspoon espresso powder or instant coffee to the melted chocolate for mocha lava cakes.
- Use white chocolate chips instead of bittersweet for white chocolate lava cakes.
- Add a pinch of cayenne, cinnamon, or peppermint extract for some spice.
- Swap in raspberries or strawberries for a fruity lava cake.
- Top with freshly whipped cream and berries before serving.
Storage
Lava cakes are best enjoyed freshly baked and warm. However, any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave for about 15 seconds before serving. The texture will be more cake-like than molten.
You can also freeze baked lava cakes for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours and then reheat until warm.
Conclusion
Now you know how to recreate the ooey-gooey chocolate lava cakes from Trader Joe’s at home. With just a handful of pantry ingredients and a few easy steps, you can make these molten chocolate cakes for a decadent dessert. Have fun playing around with different add-ins and toppings to personalize these treats. Just be sure to serve them straight from the oven while the chocolate center is still hot and melty.