Jake Cohen’s “Just-Molten-Enough” Chocolate Cake Will Melt Your Heart This Valentine’s Day

Nothing says “I love you” like melted chocolate! My main issue with molten chocolate cakes, though, is that they end up being too runny and moist. So, I’m offering up a recipe that’s sure to melt their hearts with a pudding-like center that adds the perfect gooey bite without sacrificing structure. The best part is that this recipe is beyond simple, so you can focus on preparing the rest of the meal without any headaches. Feel free to throw on a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling extra decadent, or just dig in with a couple of spoons.

Just-Molten-Enough Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients

12 ounces (2 cups) dark chocolate chips

6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter

1 cup granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 

1 teaspoon baking powder

Powdered sugar, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. 

Place a heatproof bowl over a small saucepan of simmering water. Add the chocolate and butter to the bowl and melt, stirring until fully incorporated. 

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the sugar and eggs until very smooth, then whisk in the salt and vanilla. Once fully melted, whisk the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Add the flour and baking powder and fold until just incorporated. Scrape the batter into an 8 by 11-inch baking dish or a glass 9-inch pie dish and spread in an even layer. 

Bake for 25 minutes, until just set. Garnish with powdered sugar, then serve.