Easy molten lava cakes topped with whipped espresso mascarpone cream is the most romantic and decadent dessert for a Valentines day celebration. Did I mention these are easy? Skip the hassle of tons of dishes because these beautiful chocolatey cakes are whipped up in one bowl. Rich chocolate, indulgent, and flowing with a glorious molten center, enjoy this last-minute dessert for Valentines day, Mothers day, or for a special weekend treat!

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The Secret For Ultimate Chocolate Flavor

Soy sauce. I’m going to say that again. SOY SAUCE! But before you knock it, hear me out! Soy sauce and chocolate were meant to be together. Chocolate needs some saltines in it’s life to bring out it’s party side. By adding soy sauce to the cake batter, you get a little bit of salt with some umami undertones. Chocolate is naturally bitter, so adding soy sauce can amplify the natural flavors of chocolate. Any dessert needs a slight hit of savory to help cut the sweet. Don’t worry, adding a tiny bit of soy sauce won’t make this taste like sushi. It’s just one of two secret ingredients that makes these cakes absolutely heavenly!

The second secret ingredient is instant espresso powder. Espresso powder is equally bittersweet to chocolate. By adding a tiny hit of espresso powder, you get the best ultra chocolaty cake. Again, don’t skip this ingredient! Soy sauce and espresso make these lava cakes the best chocolate experience of your life!

One Bowl Desserts=No Dishes=Pure Joy

Chocolate lava cakes are a common dessert option at many fancy restaurants. However, you don’t have to book an expensive reservation to get a taste of gooey chocolate molten lava cake. This recipe is so easy, its as simple as making a box of brownie mix.

Have I mentioned I don’t like dishes? This dessert is part of my love language because all you need is a microwavable bowl, whisk, and ramekins. If you don’t have ramekins, use a muffin tin. I do enjoy making fussy things, but I hate the cleanup. This recipe makes me really happy!

Mascarpone Espresso Whip

Totally optional, but it’s Valentines day! Delicately flavored with espresso powder, luscious mascarpone whipped cream is a stabilized cream perfect to dollop over your lava cakes. If you don’t have mascarpone, just whip up normal whipping cream and enjoy the light creamy topping with your rich chocolate cake.

Step By Step

Step 1: On Your Marks

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease four ramekins with butter or cooking spray. Dust with a little cocoa powder and set aside on a cookie sheet.

Step 2: Get Set

In a medium sized microwave safe glass bowl, break the chocolate into small chunks. Add the butter and microwave the butter and chocolate for 1 minute. If the butter isn’t fully melted, continue to heat the chocolate mixture in 15 second increments until the chocolate is melted. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Whisk the chocolate until thoroughly combined. Whisk in the powdered sugar until well blended. Whisk in the eggs, egg yolks, espresso powder, vanilla, and soy sauce just until combined. Stir in the flour.

Step 3: Bake!

Divide evenly between ramekins. Bake for 12-13 minutes until the sides are firm and the center is soft. Let the cakes sit for 1 minute to cool slightly. Invert the cakes. I like to rim the cake with a knife first. Then, hold the ramekin in one hand with a oven mitt. I cover the cake with an inverted plate, flip, and the cake should slide right out.

Step 4: Topping Time!

While the cake is baking, whip 1/3 cup of heavy whipping cream with 1 tablespoon confectioners sugar, 1/4 tsp espresso powder until soft peaks form. Add 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese and and whip until stiff peaks form.

Let Them Eat Cake

To serve, dust the lava cakes with powdered sugar. Dollop the espresso cream on top of the lava cakes. Serve with fresh raspberries, and enjoy!

If you don’t want espresso whip, you can also enjoy lava cakes with vanilla ice cream or normal whip cream.

If you are looking for the perfect at-home dessert for Valentines day this week, give this perfect chocolate cake a try and share it with your valentine!

-Happy Eating! And happy Valentines day!