French Salted Caramel Chocolate Lava Cakes – Gooey, Sophisticated & Date-Night Perfect

 Think molten-center brownies upgraded with silky salted-caramel cores and a whisper of espresso. These individual lava cakes bake in under 15 minutes, impress dinner guests, and photograph like a dream.

Ingredients

1. 4 oz dark chocolate (70 %), chopped

2. ½ cup unsalted butter, cubed

3. ½ cup granulated sugar

4. 2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk

5. 1 tsp vanilla extract

6. 1 tsp instant espresso powder (optional)

7. ¼ cup all-purpose flour

8. ¼ tsp fine sea salt

9. 8 soft salted-caramel candies (or 4 heaping tsp thick dulce de leche)

10. Flaky salt & cocoa powder for finishing

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 °F; butter and cocoa-dust four 6-oz ramekins.

2. Melt chocolate and butter together (double boiler or microwave bursts); whisk smooth.

3. Beat in sugar, eggs, yolk, vanilla, and espresso powder.

4. Fold in flour and salt just until streak-free.

5. Fill ramekins halfway. Nestle two soft caramels (or 1 tsp dulce de leche) in center of each. Cover with remaining batter.

6. Bake 12–13 minutes until edges are set but centers still jiggle.

7. Rest 1 minute, loosen edges, invert onto plates. Dust with cocoa and flaky salt.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

1. Chill filled ramekins 30 min for sharper lava effect.

2. Pull at 12 min for molten, 14 min for fudgy centers.

3. Swap espresso for chili powder for Aztec heat.

4. Make batter ahead; refrigerate up to 24 hours.

5. Reheat leftovers 10 sec in microwave for re-molten surprise.

Variations & Serving Ideas

1. Peanut Butter Core: Replace caramel with frozen PB dollops.

2. Raspberry Lava: Add frozen raspberry purée cubes for tart contrast.

3. Gluten-Free: Use rice flour; texture stays decadent.

4. Dinner-Party Flair: Serve with quenelle of vanilla bean gelato and shard of caramel brittle.

5. Mini Tasting: Divide into 8 mini muffin molds (6–7 min bake) for bite-size delights.

Final Thoughts

Salted Caramel Chocolate Lava Cakes marry French finesse with undeniable crowd appeal—ideal for romantic posts, holiday menus, or viral reels. Share your ooze-worthy shots with #DaillyRecipes and watch dessert fans melt.