Healthy Lava Cake (Vegan Chocolate Molten Lava Cake)
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This healthy lava cake has all the gooey goodness you love while keeping it vegan. It’s also easy enough for holidays, date nights, or just because.
A soft chocolate cake that’s melty and rich on the inside? The molten chocolate lava cake is the ultimate “special occasion” dessert!
The good news is you can enjoy a less sinful version with this healthy chocolate lava cake recipe.
I know it’s not loaded with veggies, but it’s a smarter, vegan-friendly, decadent chocolate treat for chocolate lovers.
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Oh, and you NEED a scoop of ice cream on top of your molten cake!
Both our vegan vanilla bean and strawberry ice cream are perfect for this role.
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Lava Cake Recipe
- With its gooey chocolatey surprise in the center, this healthy molten lava cake is definitely a showstopping dessert.
- This healthy lava cake recipe requires no special equipment or technique to whip up!
- This vegan chocolate lava cake is free of eggs and dairy, so it’s a deliciously inclusive treat!
Ingredients And Substitutions
Unsweetened applesauce – Applesauce is our vegan egg replacement in this healthy lava cake recipe.
Baking powder – Helps with the chocolate molten lava cake’s light and fluffy texture.
Vegan butter – Gives the melted chocolate a smooth and creamy consistency. You can also use coconut oil.
Semi-sweet vegan chocolate chips – Feel free to use a chopped dairy-free dark chocolate bar for a richer molten lava chocolate cake.
Vanilla extract – To jazz up the healthy chocolate lava cake. If you like Mexican chocolate desserts, sneak in a little bit of chili powder and cinnamon!
Sugar – Coconut sugar also works if you prefer an unrefined sweetener for the decadent chocolate lava cakes.
Salt – Chocolate and salt is just a match made in dessert heaven. Espresso powder is also great for highlighting the rich chocolate flavor of the vegan molten lava cake.
All-purpose flour – For the structure of your homemade chocolate lava cakes.
Vegan vanilla ice cream – There’s nothing like cold vanilla ice cream melting over a warm vegan chocolate cake with molten center. However, powdered sugar, whipped cream, and fresh raspberries make serious contenders for the role of “The Best Lava Cake Toppings.”
Tips For Making This Recipe
Know When Your Lava Cake Is Ready
Is it even a lava cake if it’s not gooey in the center? Since the toothpick test is not applicable for lava cakes, you want to pull the healthy molten chocolate lava cakes out once their edges look more set than their centers.
Reheating Tips
To reheat your vegan chocolate molten lava cake from the fridge, cover it with a damp paper towel and microwave for about 40 seconds until warm and the center is soft.
Add a Surprise Filling
Add your own twist to this healthy lava cake! Besides its molten chocolate center, the cake can also feature almond butter, vegan caramel, or strawberry jam inside. Just add the filling to the center of the ramekins before you pour in the cake batter.
Healthy Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe FAQs
What is the difference between molten cake and lava cake?
There’s no difference between molten and lava cakes, as both desserts are chocolate cakes with gooey, melty centers.
Can I use gluten-free flour for this healthy lava cake recipe?
We haven’t tested this vegan chocolate lava cake recipe with gluten-free flour. However, substituting all-purpose flour with gluten-free almond flour is worth trying.
What can I use instead of ramekins for chocolate lava cake?
If you don’t have ramekins, you can bake the healthy chocolate lava cakes in greased muffin tins.
Why does my vegan molten lava cake stick to the ramekin?
Make sure to grease your ramekins with vegan butter, THEN dust them with flour.
How do you store leftover lava cakes?
You can store your leftover vegan lava cakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Don’t forget to reheat them before serving!
More Delicious Vegan Chocolate Dessert Recipes
- Fudgy Vegan Brownies
- Vegan Chocolate Pudding
- Chocolate Tart
- Chocolate Covered Rice Cakes
- Raspberry Coconut Butter Cups
I found this recipe for Vegan Chocolate Cake that I HAVE to try!
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Healthy Lava Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup vegan butter
- 5 oz semi-sweet vegan chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Vegan vanilla ice cream (optional topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Grease and flour 4 6-inch ramekins and arrange them on a baking sheet. Set aside.
- Whisk the applesauce and baking powder together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Melt butter and chocolate in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly so the chocolate doesn’t burn.
- Once melted, remove the mixture from the heat and whisk in the applesauce mixture and vanilla extract until combined.
- Whisk in the sugar and salt until they dissolve, and fold in the flour just until combined.
- Fill each ramekin to the middle and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the edges are set.
- Allow your healthy lava cakes to set for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
- Run a knife around the edges of the cake, place a serving plate over the ramekin, and flip to invert the cake. Top with vegan vanilla ice cream, and enjoy!
Notes
- Is it even a lava cake if it’s not gooey in the center? Since the toothpick test is not applicable for lava cakes, you want to pull the healthy molten chocolate lava cakes out once their edges look more set than their centers.
- To reheat your vegan chocolate molten lava cake from the fridge, cover it with a damp paper towel and microwave for about 40 seconds until warm and the center is soft.
- Add your own twist to this healthy lava cake! Besides its molten chocolate center, the cake can also feature almond butter, vegan caramel, or strawberry jam inside. Just add the filling to the center of the ramekins before you pour in the cake batter.
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