A lava cake is a type of chocolate cake that is gooey and molten in the center. Making a lava cake in a mug is quick and easy, and only takes a few minutes. This recipe uses Nutella and the lava cake will be rich and chocolatey, with a gooey center that is oozing with delicious Nutella chocolate!
Lava Cake in a mug
Guys, I have something incredibly delicious for you! If you are a big Nutella fan as myself you’ll find that this recipe is just like a little sweet piece of heaven! If you want a rich chocolate dessert but don’t want to deal with the hassle of baking something time consuming, this Nutella lava cake in a mug, oozing with creamy chocolate is a real lifesaver!
This will soon become your most favorite dessert ever, because this impressive dessert delivers so much tastiness in just a blink of an eye. And it only takes 5 minutes to make (3 if you are as anxious as I was to start gulping this down)! They are the perfect dessert for date night, Valentines Day or for unexpected guests!
Other cakes you will love:
This lava cake in a mug was born out of my deep love for brownies and Nutella. I’m a big fan of both Nutella and brownies and although I’m ashamed to admit it, I indulge in both pretty often. I bake a lot of other goodies lately, but I somehow manage to keep going back to my “first love”, brownies and Nutella.
A while ago I made a recipe for microwaved brownies, out of my need for a quick fix for my sweet tooth, something that took little to no time and wasn’t going to add lots of calories to my hips because it was meant to be a single serving thingy. Brownies are so easy and quick to make, there’s no way you could mess things up with a brownie recipe. So I thought I should base this Nutella lava cake in a cup on the original Microwaved Brownies, slightly change the ingredients and add a generous scoop of Nutella.
I of course had to serve this delicious lava cake in a mug with some whipped cream and a scoop of vanilla ice cream because everyone knows this is the best combo ever. It was madness! Pure sinful, gooey, fluffy heaven! The photography does not do any justice to this incredibly simple yet decadent tasting dessert.
Where is lava cake originated from?
Lava cake has its origins in France and was created accidentally in a professional kitchen. Â The cake was served with a runny chocolate center and the diners LOVED it!
Why is lava cake called lava cake?
Lava cake is called lava cake because of the molten chocolate center that oozes out when you cut into it. The warm, gooey chocolate center is meant to resemble lava!
What is the difference between molten cake and lava cake?
Molten cake and lava cake are often used interchangeably, but there is a small difference between the two. Lava cake is traditionally made with chocolate while molten cake can be made with any flavor of your choice!
Is soufflé and lava cake the same?
No, soufflé and lava cake are not the same.  Lava cake is made with a chocolate center while soufflé is made with a light, fluffy egg center. Souffle is also traditionally made with savory flavors while lava cake is always made with a sweet flavor.
Is lava cake raw in the middle?
No, lava cake is not raw in the middle. The center of lava cake is supposed to be molten and gooey, but it is cooked through. This is intentional and what makes lava cake so special! The liquid center will cook a little bit more as it cools so don’t be alarmed if your lava cake looks slightly undercooked when you first take it out of the oven.
How do you know when lava cake is done?
Lava cake is done when the sides are cooked through but the center is still molten and gooey. Â Be careful not to overcook your lava cake or the center will be dry.
Can you eat lava cake cold?
Yes, you can eat lava cake cold but it is not nearly as good as when it is fresh and hot out of the oven. Eating lava cake cold is not going to give you the same experience as when it is fresh and hot. Lava cake is meant to be enjoyed while the center is still molten, so if you are eating it cold, be sure to heat it up for a few seconds in the microwave first. This will help recreate the molten lava center that makes lava cake so special.
If you are in a hurry and don’t have time to heat up your lava cake, you can still enjoy it cold. The flavors will be there but the texture will not be as good as when it is fresh out of the oven.
What is the best way to reheat lava cake?
The best way to reheat lava cake is in the microwave for a few seconds. This will help to recreate the molten lava center that makes lava cake so special.
If you are reheating multiple lava cakes, you can also put them in a 350 degree oven for a few minutes. This will help to keep the lava cakes warm and will also help to slightly melt the centers.
Can you make lava cake ahead of time?
No, you cannot make lava cake ahead of time. Lava cake is meant to be enjoyed fresh and hot out of the oven. The flavors and textures will not be the same if you try to make it ahead of time.
If you are in a hurry and don’t have time to make lava cake from scratch, you can always buy a pre-made lava cake mix. These mixes are quick and easy to make and will still give you a delicious lava cake. Just be sure to follow the directions on the box carefully so you don’t overcook your lava cake.
Why is my lava cake not runny?
There are a few reasons why your lava cake might not be as runny as you want it to be.
- You might have overcooked your lava cake. Be sure to check the lava cake for doneness after the minimum cook time so you don’t overcook it.
- You might have used a different type of chocolate than what the recipe called for. Be sure to use a high quality chocolate that is at least 60% cacao for the best results.
- If you are using a pre-made lava cake mix, be sure to follow the directions on the box carefully so you don’t overcook your lava cake.
My lava cake is too runny, what can I do?
There are a few things you can do if your lava cake is too runny.
- You can try to cook your lava cake for a little longer. Be sure to check the lava cake for doneness after the minimum cook time so you don’t overcook it.
- You can try using a different type of chocolate. Be sure to use a high quality chocolate that is at least 60% cacao for the best results.
- You can try letting your lava cake cool for a longer period of time. Be sure to let your lava cake cool for at least 5 minutes before trying to eat it. This will help the molten center to set up slightly so it is less runny.
Can Nutella melt?
Yes, Nutella can melt if it is exposed to heat. If you are making lava cake with Nutella, be sure to let your lava cake cool for a few minutes before trying to eat it. This will help the molten center to set up slightly so it is less runny.
What can I use instead of Nutella?
If you don’t have Nutella, you can use another type of chocolate hazelnut spread. You can also use semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped bittersweet chocolate. Be sure to use a high quality chocolate that is at least 60% cacao for the best results.
What do you serve lava cake with?
Lava cake is traditionally served with a scoop of ice cream and whipped cream. You can also get creative and top your lava cake with fresh fruit, chocolate sauce, or anything else your heart desires!
If you want to decorate your cake, you can try using different types of chocolate (you can even melt chocolate and drizzle over the cake). You can also use different flavors. You can also top your lava cake with whipped cream or sprinkles or a pinch of salt.
What is the best way to store lava cake?
Lava cake is best enjoyed fresh and hot out of the oven, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure to reheat your lava cake before eating it so you can enjoy the molten lava center.
You can also freeze lava cake for up to 2 months. Be sure to wrap the lava cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil so it doesn’t dry out. When you are ready to eat your frozen lava cake, be sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge and then reheat it in the microwave or oven before eating.
Nutella Lava Cake
Ingredients:
- self-raising flour (all purpose flour worked well for me too)
- granulated sugar
- cocoa powder
- vegetable oil
- milk
- Nutella
- egg
- vanilla extract – optional
- Ice cream – optional
- Whipped cream – optional
How to make Nutella lava cake?
- In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, oil, milk, egg and 1 tablespoon Nutella.
- Mix all together until you have a smooth mixture. You’ll need to have a soft-ish, creamy texture.
- Grab a cup, a ramekin or other microwave safe bowl and coat with oil or unsalted butter and a mixture of flour and cocoa (just a tiny bit). Shake the excess off.
- Pour chocolate mixture into the prepared ramekins or cups (aim to fill no more than 3/4 of the cup).
- Add 2 tablespoons of Nutella in the middle. Add more if you want a richer “lava” in your chocolate lava cake (or use chocolate with a more runny texture when melted).
- Place into the microwave on high for 1 min 40 seconds. You may need to experience with that as microwaves have different settings (mine is 850 watts). The secret is to not overcook the batter. The cake should rise a bit, with a fluffy texture and a glossy top.
- Remove the mug cakes from the mugs: place the mug upside down on a plate and split open with a spoon for the lava to ooze. Serve your molten lava cakes with whipped cream and a scoop of vanilla ice cream or sprinkle powdered sugar.
If you’re looking for a delicious and easy dessert, look no further than lava cake in a mug with Nutella. This recipe is quick, simple, and will leave you wanting more. So what are you waiting for? Grab a mug and get cooking and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
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Lava cake in a mug
Equipment
- mug
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup self-raising flour
- 2 tbsp fine granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cocoa
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil plus more for coating
- 3 tbsp milk
- 3 tsp Nutella more if preferred
- 1 small egg
- vanilla extract - optional
- Ice cream - optional
- Whipped cream - optional
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa, oil, milk, egg and 1 tablespoon Nutella.
- Mix all together until you have a smooth mixture. You'll need to have a soft-ish, creamy texture.
- Grab a cup and coat with oil and a mixture of flour and cocoa (just a tiny bit). Shake the excess off.
- Pour brownie mixture into the cup (aim to fill no more than 3/4 of the cup).
- Add 2 tablespoons of Nutella in the middle. You can add more if you want a richer "lava" in your cake (or use chocolate with a more runny texture when melted).
- Place into the microwave on high for 1 min 40 seconds. You may need to experience with that as microwaves have different settings (mine is 850 watts). The secret is to not overcook the batter. The cake should rise a bit, with a fluffy texture and a glossy top.
- To remove the cake from the mug, place the mug upside down on a plate and split open with a spoon for the lava to ooze. Serve with whipped cream and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Rachel says
What can be done in step 1 if you use chocolate chips instead of nutella? Should you melt the chips before using?
petro says
Hi, Rachel. Yes, I would melt the chips