Instant Pot Lava Cakes

Warm, gooey, and oozing with chocolate, these Instant Pot Lava Cakes are swoon-worthy and exceptionally easy to prepare.

Instant Pot Molten Lava Cakes will satisfy the deepest chocolate craving and exceptionally easy to make. Top with homemade whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup, and dig into a little bit of heaven.

I have shared with you things I will not cook in the instant pot and cake made the list. However, Molten Lava Cakes and cheesecake are exceptions to this "rule."

Both cheesecakes and molten chocolate cakes are best when baked in a water bath or bain-marie. An electric pressure cooker creates that same moist environment and ensures even cooking, resulting in perfect Instant Pot Cheesecake and these Instant Pot Chocolate Lava Cakes.

And let's take a minute to stand in awe over these Instant Pot Molten Lava Cakes. The moist heat cooks the outside of the lava cake create a delicate cake-like texture, but leaves the center slightly gooey like warm brownie batter, that oozes out like lava when cut into. It is rich, chocolatey, and beyond decadent.

In fact, Instant Pot Chocolate Lava Cakes are one of my all-time favorite indulgences. And they happen to be rather easy to make. Which truth be told, can be dangerous😉

Notes on Ingredients and Equipment

• Chocolate: Use high-quality semi-sweet chocolate for the best flavor. If using a large chocolate bar, chop up the chocolate into small pieces.
• Butter: Be sure to use unsalted butter for the best results.
• Powdered Sugar: Confectioner's sugar, or powdered sugar, dissolves easily into the batter, while granulated sugar does not, making it the best sweetener to use in this recipe.
• Espresso Powder: This is optional! The espresso powder helps to intensify the overall chocolate flavor, it does not add a coffee flavor to the dessert itself.
• Flour: This recipe calls for all-purpose flour. For a gluten-free lava cake, simply swap out the all-purpose glour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Ramekins: You will need four 6-ounce ramekins for this recipe.

How to Make Lava Cakes in the Instant Pot

Step One: Prepare Ramekins and Instant Pot

• Pour 1.5 cups of cold water into the inner pot of the instant pot and place a metal rack/trivet inside the inner pot.
• Spray 4 ramekins with cooking spray and then sprinkle with sugar to coat, dumping out the excess sugar. This helps the lava cake to slide out of the dish easily after it has been baked.

Step Two: Melt the Chocolate

• Place the chocolate and butter into a large heat-safe mixing bowl and microwave for 45 seconds. Stir until chocolate is melted, reheating in 15-second intervals if needed.
• Stir the espresso powder into the melted, warm chocolate.
• Set the chocolate aside to cool slightly while preparing the rest of the batter.

Step Three: Prepare Batter

• Separate 2 eggs, reserving just the yolks.
• In a large mixing bowl, mix together the egg yolks, with 2 whole eggs, sugar, and vanilla until the sugar is dissolved into the eggs.
• Slowly pour in the melted chocolate, whisking well to combine. Be sure to slowly add the melted chocolate, continuously whisking, so that you don't cook your eggs.
• Using a spatula, fold the flour into the mixture until just combined.

Step Four: Divide the Batter

• Evenly divide the batter between the ramekins. I find that a standard ice cream scoop is the perfect way to evenly divide the mixture without making a mess.
• Cover each ramekin with foil. This is important to keep condensation from forming inside the lava cakes.

Step Five: Pressure Cook

• Place 2-3 ramekins on the trivet and then place another metal rack on top of those ramekins and place the remaining ramekins on top of the 2nd rack. If you don't have a 2nd rack, just carefully stack the ramekins on top of each other.
• Pressure cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
• Once cook time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes. This is critical to ensure that your lava cakes cook through and retain the right consistency.
• After exactly 5 minutes have passed, do a quick release of any remaining pressure by using a long utensil to carefully knock the venting knob from the sealed to the venting position. Stand back so you don't get burned by the steam.

Step Six: Serve

• Carefully remove the ramekins from the inner pot and let rest for 2-3 minutes.
• Remove the foil from the ramekins and gently run a knife along the sides of the ramekin to loosen and carefully invert the cakes onto a serving plate.
• If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar, top with homemade vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, and serve immediately.

FAQs about Instant Pot Lava Cakes

More Instant Pot Dessert Recipes

• Instant Pot Creme Brulee
• Instant Pot Chocolate Cheesecake
• Instant Pot Carrot Cake Cheesecake
• Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Instant Pot Cheesecake

If you enjoyed these decadent Molten Lava Cakes, please be sure to leave a comment and rating below.