Caramel Lava Cake

Name: Caramel Lava Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: ½ stick unsalted butter (softened: 4 tbsp. or 2 oz.); ½ cup Ghirardelli Bitter-Sweet Chocolate Chips ((4 ounces) or semi-sweet chocolate chips for sweeter results); ½ cup confectioners sugar ((powdered sugar)); 1 egg; 1 egg yolk; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 pinch salt; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons salted caramel sauce (: I love Trader Joe's Brand); Salted Caramel or Toffee flavor Ice-Cream; Coarse sea salt (optional- depends on how salty your caramel sauce is); Powdered sugar (for dusting on top)

Dark chocolate cake with a warm, gooey salted caramel core, cooked to perfection in the Instant Pot, this Salted Caramel Lava Cake is the ultimate chocolate dessert, ready in 30 minutes.

Serve this lava caramel cake warm with a scoop of dulce de leche or butterscotch ice cream and more flaky sea salt for sprinkling!

Salted Caramel Molten Lava Cake topped with caramel ice cream

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Ooey-gooey, warm-your-soul desserts are always a special treat, and this caramel lava cake is the perfect example that hits the spot, every single time.

It is sweet, salty, and super chocolatey - need I say more?

And with two preparation techniques and two cooking methods, this caramel lava cake recipe allows you to have your dessert any way you please!

Jump to:

Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions
How to Make a Caramel Lava Cake
Serving Suggestions
How to Store
Recipe Tips & Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
More Decadent Chocolate Recipes
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Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions

This molten caramel cake requires just a few baking ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand. You will need:

Lava Cake ingredients with a whisk on grey backdrop — Key Ingredients for making Lava Cake. (Not featured in image: salt and caramel sauce)

Unsalted Butter: start with a stick of unsalted butter. There is no need to bring it to room temperature since we are melting the butter with the chocolate.

Chocolate Chips: my girls and I love bittersweet Ghirardelli chocolate chips. The bitter chocolate balances the sugar and caramel. For a sweeter version, use semi-sweet chocolate chips instead.

Confectioner's Sugar: finer confectioner's sugar blends easier into the batter.

Egg + Egg Yolk: to bind the batter and add an extra layer of richness.

Vanilla Extract: for sweet vanilla essence and to enhance the chocolate flavor.

Salt: to bring out all those sweet, chocolatey, caramel notes.

All-Purpose Flour: a small amount of flour goes a long way and doesn't dry out the batter too much.

Salted Caramel Sauce: I love Trader Joe's salted caramel sauce, which has just the right amount of salty-sweet balance. For a sweeter take, use dulce de leche.

Coarse sea salt: An extra sprinkle of flaky sea salt, like Maldon or Fleur de Sel, makes for a final finishing touch. Use more or less depending on the salt level of your caramel sauce.

Ice cream: Nothing compliments lava cake more than the cool contrast of ice cream. We love dulce de leche, butterscotch, salted caramel, and toffee flavors.

Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.

How to Make a Caramel Lava Cake

This salted caramel lava cake recipe can be assembled and baked in one of two ways. Here's how to do each one:

Step 1: Prepare Chocolate Cake Batter

Melt butter and chocolate chips in the microwave, for about 30 seconds to a minute. Using a whisk, mix well. Sift in confectioners sugar and mix again. (pic 1 & 2)

Add eggs, vanilla, and salt and mix well. Sift in the flour and whisk till everything is incorporated. (Pic 3 & 4)

4-image grid showing steps 1-4 of melting chocolate and assembling lava cake

Step 2: Assemble in ONE of Two Ways

Grease silicone cupcake molds or 4 oz. ramekins (using Pam cooking oil spray). There are two options for making caramel lava cake, pick the one that appeals to you the most:

Option 1: Pour batter into molds, filling them halfway. Pour 1 teaspoon or more of salted caramel sauce into the center. Pour batter on top, leaving ¼ inch from the top. In this option, the caramel sauce will ooze out 'with' the chocolate lava, from within the cake. (Pic 5 & 6)

Option 2: Start by pouring caramel sauce at the bottom of the mold. Pour batter on top, leaving ¼ inch from the top. In this option, the salted caramel sauce will melt all over your lava cake when you invert it.

Steps 5-8 showing how to assemble caramel lava cake in molds

Step 3: Bake in Instant Pot or Oven

Method 1: Instant Pot Caramel Lava Cake

Pour 1 cup of water into the Inner pot of the Instant Pot. Place trivet. Place cakes on the trivet. Close lid. Set vent to SEALING. (pic 8)

Cook on MANUAL (high pressure) for 7 minutes. If you like a less gooey center, increase the time to 8-9 minutes.

QR (quick release) the pressure and remove the cakes. Cool for 1 minute, invert the cakes onto the serving plate, and dust with confectioners sugar (optional).

Method 2: Oven Baked Caramel Molten Cake

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Follow steps 1 and 2. Place the cakes on a cookie sheet and bake for 11-13 minutes, depending on how gooey you want the center to be.

Serving Suggestions

Moten caramel cakes are best served right away, while still warm. The beauty of lava cake is the molten center that oozes out.

Serve with a scoop of your favorite ice cream, like butterscotch, dulce de leche, salted caramel, toffee, or vanilla; extra sea salt, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Salted caramel melting out of an Instant pot salted Lava cake

How to Store

Leftover caramel cake will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Cool completely before storing.

Reheat in 30-second increments in the microwave, until warm to the touch. This should indicate the center is hot enough for oozing.

Recipe Tips & Notes

Chocolate: Opt for bittersweet chocolate chips or go for semisweet chocolate chips for a sweeter cake.
Grease: If not using silicone cupcake molds, make sure to evenly grease the ramekins with cooking spray.
Baking time: The longer the cakes bake, the less molten the center. Start with the lower bake time and work your way up from there.
Cool slightly: Cool the cakes for 1 minute in their baking vessel, then invert immediately. This should ensure a clean release.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between molten cake and lava cake?

Molten cake and lava cake are both names for chocolate cakes that have been undercooked slightly so the outside layer is cooked, while the middle is still raw. Once cut into, the center pours out like 'molten lava.'

Does Trader Joe's have lava cakes?

Yes, Trader Joe's sells packaged lava cakes that can be reheated once opened. But I can assure you that once you make this homemade version, you'll never pick up a store-bought box again!

What is molten lava cake made of?

Molten lava cake is made with unsalted butter, chocolate chips, confectioner's sugar, eggs, vanilla, salt and flour. The addition of salted caramel sauce really takes it over the top.

Can I make caramel lava cake ahead of time?

The chocolate cake batter can be made up to 1 day in advance, but the cakes are best enjoyed the moment they are baked.

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Note: This recipe has been recently updated with helpful tips and information.