Southern Living Chocolate Lava Cake In The Instant Pot
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What could be more dessert tempting than classy lava cake?
With a raspberry filling surrounded by homemade rich and velvety chocolate in the center. So yum!
What is the best chocolate cake recipe in the world?
A Southern living chocolate lava cake recipe is an irresistible combination of textures and flavors.
The type of dish you start eating first with your eyes. Arguably the best chocolate cake recipe in the world!
What is Southern Living?
Southen Living is a food and lifestyle magazine specializing in Southern culture and classic Southern recipes.
What is Southern Living chocolate lava cake in the Instant Pot?
Southern Living chocolate lava cake in the Instant Pot is a spin on a classic chocolate lava cake recipe highlighted years ago by the media publication.
Today it’s elevated for easier Instant Pot making instead of oven baking!
Each bite of the delicious chocolate lava cake leaves you craving for more. If you’re looking for something out-of-the-box for your next party, elegant dinner, or Valentine’s dinner for two.
Chocolate lovers take note. There’s no better choice than these legendary lava cakes!
How do you make a homemade chocolate cake?
The best part about Southern living chocolate lava cake?
It can be made right at home using your Instant Pot!
The Instant Pot can be used with a cooking technique called “pot in pot“.
It’s like a double boiling cooking method, so you can make desserts like this mouthwatering lava cake recipe right inside your Instant Pot. Quick and easy, in only 6 minutes!
The amount of time we spend in the kitchen cooking and baking has changed since we started using Instant Pot electric pressure cookers.
It’s possible to prepare dozens of time-consuming dishes quickly and easily using this innovative kitchen appliance.
For example, one of my favorite Southern dessert recipes to make is this Southern living chocolate lava cake. Instant Pot makes it possible for this recipe to be so easy and delicious!
Southern Living chocolate lava cake recipe in the Instant Pot
The combination of gooey chocolate cake and rich chocolate raspberry filling is undeniably decadent and delicious. Here’s a delicious dessert recipe that will spice up your dessert menu!
This is one of those desserts that everyone loves because it has so much flavor and oozes as soon as you cut into it. The recipe is so simple and the end result is always mind-blowing. Interestingly enough, these little lava cakes can be made at home with relative ease.
Kitchen equipment for Southern living chocolate lava cakes in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
- Instant Pot trivet rack (2)
- (4) six-oz. ramekin/custard cups
- Aluminum foil
Shop my kitchenware!
Instant Pot Duo | Disney Instant Pot | Instant Pot trivet rack | Pyrex ramekins | Pyrex measuring glass | The Pioneer Woman measuring bowls | Kate Aspen heart-shaped measuring spoons | Amazon mixing bowls | Amazon stainless steel mixing bowls | KitchenAid whisk | Amazon small rubber spatula | KitchenAid ice cream scooper | Hearth and Hand similar plate | Target similar fork/flatware | Courtly Check relish dish | Courtly Check medium-size glass canister |
Ingredients for Southern living chocolate lava cakes
- ½ a cup of water
- cooking spray for coating the ramekins
- ¼ cup of granulated sugar for coating the ramekins
- ½ cup of powdered sugar
- 1 cup of chopped semi-sweet chocolate
- ½ cup of unsalted butter
- 8-12 mashed raspberries for each ramekin
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
Instructions for Southern living chocolate lava cakes in the Instant Pot
- Spray four 6-oz, heat-safe ramekins with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle each ramekin with granulated sugar.
- Shake the sugar around the ramekin to coat all the sides. Then shake out the excess sugar and set the ramekins aside.
- Open the Instant Pot lid and pour the water into the stainless steel inner pot.
- Then add the Instant Pot trivet rack inside the pot.
- Chop the chocolate into morsel size pieces so it’s easier for melting (or you can use chocolate chips).
- Slice the butter into several slithers, and then combine the chocolate and butter in a medium heat-safe bowl.
- Microwave the combined chocolate and butter for about 45 seconds and stir well.
- Microwave the mixture for additional 15-second intervals as needed to melt the chocolate fully.
- Once melted, set the mixture aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined and the sugar has dissolved into the egg mixture.
- Slowly whisk the melted chocolate into the egg mixture until combined.
- Fold in the flour to complete the cake batter.
- Evenly divide the batter between the four ramekins, using an ice cream scoop for easy, even transfer.
- Add 2-3 smashed raspberries in the center of each ramekin, making sure the raspberries are covered top and bottom in the batter.
- Cover each ramekin with aluminum foil.
- Place the ramekins on the trivet rack inside the inner pot, stacking carefully on top of each other to fit. You can use a separate rack to place on top of the first layer of ramekins if you have a second trivet. If not, just carefully stack the second layer of ramekins on top of the first layer.
- Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is up – in the position for sealing) and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.
- When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
- Using oven mitts, carefully remove the ramekins from the inner pot and let them sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Make sure the bottom of the cakes (the top part seen in the ramekins) is solid.
- To remove the lava cakes, run a small spatula around the edges of the ramekin and then invert onto a plate.
- Dust each lava cake with powdered sugar and top with ice cream, whipped cream, or raspberries if desired.
- There will be a runny chocolate raspberry filling in the center of each little lava cake!
- Serve Southern living chocolate lava cakes while warm to get the full effect of the melted chocolate center. Top with whipped cream or cinnamon whipped cream, and enjoy!
How do you serve chocolate lava cake?
Many folks would agree that Southern living lava cakes are a decadent dessert worth every calorie and then some!
How about serving fruits and sauces with them?
So I’ve compiled a list of fruits, sauces, and sides that are perfect for pairing with this rich cake:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Caramel sauce
- Vanilla icecream
- Whipped cream
If it’s Valentine’s Day or an elegant dinner for two, serve lava cakes with soul food lobster tail or soul food lobster mac and cheese.
Southern Living chocolate lava cake in the Instant Pot FAQs
How do you make a cake in an Instant Pot?
It’s easy to make cakes in the Instant Pot and go from baking to making in a matter of minutes.
From your favorite chocolate cake recipes – pound cake to red velvet, Southern chocolate banana pudding, or chocolate cake. Instant Pot cake recipes are as simple as homemade or Betty Crocker cake mix in a pan, covered with foil, and then pressure cooked in a matter of minutes.
This is the type of recipe that’s almost impossible to overcook or burn!
Some newer Instant Pot models even have a cake-making setting!
Do you use dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate for your Southern living chocolate lava cake recipe?
Semi-sweet chocolate is recommended for this lava cake recipe. Don’t forget to cut these chocolate bars into small pieces before melting them with butter.
Can you make Southern living lava cakes ahead of time?
You can make batter up to 2 days ahead of your big day, but keep in mind to refrigerate appropriately. Before putting the batter in the ramekins, let it come to room temperature first.
What can be used in place of ramekins for lava cake?
Instant Pot official baking cups or an egg bites/muffin pan will be your ideal replacement if you don’t have ramekins.
Pro tip – Make sure it’s a pan made for Instant Pot – up to 7″ wide to ensure the pan fits comfortably in a 6-quart standard-size pot!
How many ramekins fit in an Instant Pot?
It entirely depends on your Instant Pot model and ramekin size.
Instant pots come in 3, 6, and 8-quart sizes. Typically, 4 to 6 ramekins can easily fit in an Instant Pot.
What size cake pan fits in a 6-quart Instant Pot?
You should go for a 7 inches cake pan if you own a standard 6-quart Instant Pot.
Can you steam cake in a pressure cooker?
Yes, you can steam cake in a pressure cooker! In fact, by doing so, you will be able to make your cake moist and tender than if it were baked in the oven. If you are steaming cakes this way, you should consider the following:
Can you bake a cake in a pot?
A pot can be used to bake a lava cake. It’s all about cooking the cake on top of the stove and not inside an oven. Here are some tips for baking cakes in pots!
Can you put Pyrex in an Instant Pot?
The answer is yes. You don’t need to worry about breaking your Pyrex dishes inside the Instant Pot.
Can you put aluminum foil in an Instant Pot?
Many people have asked his question. So, can you?
The answer is yes! This Instant Pot cake recipe calls for insulating the ramekin cakes in aluminum foil while cooking inside the Instant Pot.
Can lava cake be eaten cold?
Yes, but there is a high possibility that the chocolate lava inside the cake will harden and won’t ooze out. That’s why it’s not a good idea to serve lava cakes cold.
Are custard cups the same as ramekins?
Custard cups and ramekins are both small dishes that can be used for various purposes in the kitchen. They have different shapes, but what is the difference between custard cups and ramekins?
Custard cups are shallow dishes with a flat bottom, while ramekins are also shallow dishes; they have straight sides. This means they’re better suited to cooking items like sauces or baked goods that need more room to cook evenly.
Can you use coffee cups instead of ramekins?
We all know that we can use ramekins to make lava cake, but what about a coffee cup or mug?
The answer is yes, but the only problem is that coffee mugs will likely take up more space than ramekins in the Instant Pot!
Can you put a cake pan in an Instant Pot?
You can use most any cake pan that fits in an Instant Pot.
You should also place the Instant Pot trivet rack on the bottom of your cake pan before placing a pan inside the Instant Pot. This will prevent the water from boiling directly on the bottom of the pan and cooking the cake unevenly.
What is the reason for avoiding unbleached flour?
Unbleached flour is extra rich in proteins that can harden the flour in the finished recipe. Yielding baked goods that aren’t as moist and tender.
How do you make super moist chocolate cake?
You can add a bit of heavy cream or cream cheese. Or my favorite sour cream and mayonnaise to moisten your recipe and counterbalance this issue.
Want a lava cake that’s not chocolate?
It doesn’t have to be a chocolate molten lava cake to have that ooey-gooey runny center!
What are some other chocolate cake recipes?
You can make this recipe without expresso powder, cocoa powder, or a bittersweet chocolate mixture. Instead, consider a white chocolate lava cake with delicious lemon juice, rum, and brown sugar filling.
What do you think of this Southern living chocolate lava cake recipe?
How much do you love this recipe? Will you give it a try?
And with raspberries and ramekins in the Instant Pot?
Leave your answers in the comments below!
You may also like these Southern living dessert recipes:
Equipment
- Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
- Instant Pot trivet rack (2)
- (4) six-oz. ramekins
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- cooking spray for coating the ramekins
- ¼ cup sugar granulated, for coating the ramekins
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup chocolate semi-sweet & chopped
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 8-12 raspberries 2-3 mashed for each ramekin
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Spray four 6-oz, heat-safe ramekins with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle each ramekin with granulated sugar.
- Shake the sugar around the ramekin to coat all the sides. Then shake out the excess sugar and set the ramekins aside.
- Open the Instant Pot lid and pour the water into the stainless steel inner pot.
- Then add the Instant Pot trivet rack inside the pot.
- Chop the chocolate into morsel size pieces so it's easier for melting (or you can use chocolate chips).
- Slice the butter into several slithers, and then combine the chocolate and butter in a medium heat-safe bowl.
- Microwave the combined chocolate and butter for about 45 seconds and stir well.
- Microwave the mixture for additional 15-second intervals as needed to melt the chocolate fully.
- Once melted, set the mixture aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined and the sugar has dissolved into the egg mixture.
- Slowly whisk the melted chocolate into the egg mixture until combined.
- Fold in the flour to complete the cake batter.
- Evenly divide the batter between the four ramekins, using an ice cream scoop for easy, even transfer.
- Add 2-3 smashed raspberries in the center of each ramekin, making sure the raspberries are covered top and bottom in the batter.
- Cover each ramekin with aluminum foil.
- Place the ramekins on the trivet rack inside the inner pot, stacking carefully on top of each other to fit. You can use a separate rack to place on top of the first layer of ramekins if you have a second trivet. If not, just carefully stack the second layer of ramekins on top of the first layer.
- Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is up – in the position for sealing) and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.
- When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to 'venting' and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
- Using oven mitts, carefully remove the ramekins from the inner pot and let them sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Make sure the bottom of the cakes (the top part seen in the ramekins) is solid.
- To remove the lava cakes, run a small spatula around the edges of the ramekin and then invert onto a plate.
- Dust each lava cake with powdered sugar and top with ice cream, whipped cream, or raspberries if desired.
- There will be a runny chocolate raspberry filling in the center of each little lava cake!
- Serve Southern living chocolate lava cakes while warm to get the full effect of the melted chocolate center. Top with whipped cream or cinnamon whipped cream, and enjoy!
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Nutrition
As a chocolate and cake lover I will definitely love this recipe!
So glad you love it! It’s a Southern Living classic recipe.