Go Back
Red velvet lava cake with molten center on white table

Red Velvet Lava Cake

A rich and gooey red velvet lava cake with a molten chocolate or cream cheese center — indulgent, velvety, and perfect for special occasions.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 cakes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, French Fusion
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Batter
  • 0.5 cup All-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoon Unsweetened cocoa powder Natural, not Dutch-processed
  • 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
  • 2 large Eggs Room temperature
  • 0.5 cup Butter Melted
  • 1 teaspoon Red food coloring Gel preferred
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 0.25 cup Buttermilk Room temperature
  • 0.5 teaspoon White vinegar
  • 0.25 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 1 pinch Salt
Filling
  • 0.5 cup Dark chocolate chips 60% cocoa or higher
  • 0.25 cup Heavy cream For ganache
  • 2 oz Cream cheese Optional filling
  • 2 tablespoon Powdered sugar For filling and dusting

Equipment

  • 6 6-ounce ramekins Buttered and cocoa-dusted
  • 1 Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl For melting chocolate
  • 1 Electric hand mixer Or whisk
  • 2–3 Mixing bowls Different sizes
  • 1 set Measuring cups and spoons
  • 1 Rubber spatula
  • 1 Baking sheet For stability in oven
  • Butter For greasing ramekins
  • 1 Small saucepan For ganache

Method
 

  1. Butter and dust ramekins.
  2. Melt chocolate and butter.
  3. Whisk eggs and sugar.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
  5. Pour half the batter into ramekins.
  6. Add ganache or cream cheese center.
  7. Cover with remaining batter.
  8. Bake 12–14 minutes.
  9. Rest for 1 minute.
  10. Invert and serve warm.

Notes

Use cream cheese for a cheesecake-like center, or ganache for extra chocolatey indulgence. Perfect for Valentine's Day or date nights!