Molten chocolate cake facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Lava cake, chocolate lava cake, molten chocolate lava cake |
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| Course | Dessert |
| Place of origin | France United States |
| Main ingredients | Butter, eggs, sugar, chocolate |
Molten chocolate cake is a super popular dessert! It's like a mix between a rich chocolate cake and a light, airy soufflé. The cool thing about it is its gooey, melted chocolate center, which is why it's often called "lava cake." You might also hear it called "chocolate moelleux" (which is French for "soft").
This delicious treat is different from a "chocolate fondant." A chocolate fondant melts in your mouth because it has lots of chocolate and butter, but a molten chocolate cake actually has a runny center when you cut into it!
Who Invented Molten Chocolate Cake?
The exact story of who invented molten chocolate cake is a bit of a mystery! A chef from the United States named Jean-Georges Vongerichten says he created it in New York City in 1987. He says he accidentally pulled a chocolate sponge cake out of the oven too early. The middle was still liquid, but it tasted amazing!
However, a French chef named Jacques Torres disagrees. He believes a similar dessert already existed in France before 1987. Even though its origin is debated, Chef Vongerichten is often given credit for making this dessert famous in the United States. Soon, it became a must-have item on dessert menus at fancy restaurants everywhere.
How to Make Molten Chocolate Cake
Molten chocolate cakes usually need just five main ingredients: butter, eggs, sugar, chocolate, and flour.
First, the butter and chocolate are melted together. Then, the eggs are mixed with sugar. This can be done in a couple of ways:
- You can whisk the whole eggs with sugar to make a thick paste. This creates a denser cake.
- Or, you can separate the egg whites and whip them into a meringue. Adding this meringue makes the cake lighter and helps it rise more.
Sometimes, a spoonful of strong coffee is added to make the chocolate flavor even richer. Some recipes also suggest adding vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, or cinnamon for extra taste.
These cakes are usually baked in small, individual dishes called ramekins. You can also use brioche molds. But people get creative! You can even bake them in a coffee mug or a tea mug. In some cases, you can even make them in a microwave instead of a regular oven.
When serving, molten chocolate cakes are often made even better with a scoop of ice cream, some fresh fruit, or a drizzle of fruit or chocolate sauce. A dusting of powdered sugar on top is also common. Sometimes, a small sprig of mint is added as a pretty garnish.
See also
In Spanish: Pastel de chocolate fundido para niños
