Elevated Molten Lava Cakes Recipe

This Elevated Molten Lava Cakes Recipe is a decadent and gooey recipe, which uses a cake mix shortcut and four different gourmet topping ideas. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, ready in about 30 minutes.

Jump to Recipe

Elevated Molten Lava Cakes Ingredients

For the Cakes:

• One 10.4-ounce box molten lava cake mix (plus required ingredients listed on the box)

For the Spun Sugar Topping:

• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup corn syrup
• 1/4 cup water
• Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

For the Cherry Sauce Topping:

• 2 cups (about 8 ounces) pitted fresh cherries
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cherry liqueur (such as Luxardo)
• 1/2 cup water
• French vanilla ice cream, for serving
• Fresh cherries, for garnish

For the S’mores Topping:

• Marshmallow creme
• Dark chocolate squares
• Graham cracker shards

For the Coffee Whipped Cream Topping:

• 1/2 cup cold heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons coffee-flavored liqueur (such as Kahlua)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
• Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
• Chopped chocolate-covered espresso beans, for garnish

How To Make Elevated Molten Lava Cakes

1. Prepare the Cakes: Prepare and bake 2, 4, or 6 lava cakes according to the package directions. While they bake, prepare one or more of the following toppings.
2. To Make the Spun Sugar: Combine 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, 1/4 cup corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water in a pot over medium-high heat. Cook until a candy thermometer reads 300°F. Let it cool to 275°F. Set two wooden spoon handles about 2 feet apart over bowls and place newspaper underneath. Dip a fork in the syrup and flick it back and forth over the spoon handles to create thin threads. Gather the threads gently. To serve, place a lava cake on a plate, dust with confectioners’ sugar, and top with spun sugar.
3. To Make the Cherry Sauce: Combine 2 cups pitted cherries, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon cherry liqueur, and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 10 minutes until cherries are soft. Puree the mixture in a blender until completely smooth. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer. To serve, place dots of the chilled sauce on a plate, place the lava cake in the middle, and top with vanilla ice cream and fresh cherries.
4. To Make the S’mores Topping: Place a baked lava cake on a plate. Top with about 2 tablespoons of marshmallow creme. Use a kitchen blowtorch to toast the creme until golden. Garnish by inserting a square of dark chocolate and a piece of graham cracker into the toasted creme.
5. To Make the Coffee Whipped Cream: In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup cold heavy cream and 2 tablespoons of coffee liqueur. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form. To serve, place a lava cake on a plate, sprinkle with cocoa and confectioners’ sugar, and top with the whipped cream and chopped espresso beans.

Recipe Tips

• How do I get the perfect molten lava center? The secret is to not overbake! Follow the package directions, but check the cakes 1-2 minutes before the minimum time. The edges should be firm, but the very center should still be soft and jiggly.
• Help! My spun sugar is a sticky mess. Humidity is the enemy of spun sugar. This topping is best made right before serving in a dry room. The hotter the syrup is (closer to 275°F), the finer the threads. Work quickly!
• How do I get the best toasted marshmallow? A kitchen blowtorch gives you the most control for a perfectly golden, “campfire” toast. If you don’t have one, place the marshmallow-topped cake on a foil-lined sheet and put it under your oven’s broiler for 30-60 seconds, watching it very closely.
• Can I strain the cherry sauce? Yes, and you should. For a truly “elevated” restaurant-style sauce, pour the blended puree through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on the solids. This removes any small bits of skin and creates a silky-smooth coulis.

What To Serve With Elevated Molten Lava Cakes

This recipe is the serving suggestion! It gives you four unique, professional ways to serve a simple lava cake. The key is to balance the rich, warm chocolate with a cool, creamy, or tart element.

• Cool & Creamy: Vanilla Ice Cream, Coffee Whipped Cream
• Sweet & Crunchy: Spun Sugar, S’mores Topping
• Tart & Fruity: Cherry Sauce, Fresh Raspberries

How To Store Elevated Molten Lava Cakes

• Cakes: Molten lava cakes are designed to be eaten immediately. They do not store or reheat well, as the molten center will cook through and become a regular cake.
• Toppings: The Cherry Sauce, Coffee Whipped Cream, and S’mores toppings (minus the graham cracker) can be made ahead and stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Spun sugar must be made right before serving.

Elevated Molten Lava Cakes Nutrition Facts

Nutrition information is highly variable and depends on the cake mix used and which of the four toppings you choose. The S’mores and Cherry Sauce with Ice Cream will be the most decadent.

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs