Nutella Lava Cake

4.84 from 12 votes
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Stunning freshly baked Nutella lava cake is sure to delight for the holidays! Thank you Bob’s Red Mill for sponsoring this post!

Nutella Lava Cake

It’s time to bring some holiday cheer with some much-anticipated baking! I’ve been waiting all year to start getting my oven fired up and creating some sweet treats for my family and friends. If you are looking for an easy recipe that is guaranteed to wow and impress, these gluten-free Nutella chocolate lava cakes are the perfect treat.

The best part is you can prep the cakes ahead of time and bake them for warm, molten hazelnut chocolatey centers. Nothing brings instant joy like a freshly baked cake! Trust me. This is 100% fact. Let’s get going on some chocolate bliss!

spatula mixing chocolate in a bowl

Have you tried baking with gluten-free flour? Whether you have a dietary need for the substitution or would like an alternative to wheat, here are some baking basics using Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour:

Baking with Gluten-Free Flour

  • Use: This gluten-free baking blend has been formulated to use as a 1-to-1 substitution for wheat flour in baked goods. No additional specialty ingredients or custom recipes required. You can use this baking blend for cookies, cakes, muffins, pies, and brownies.
  • Ingredients: This baking blend combines finely ground brown rice flour, sweet white rice flour, whole grain sorghum flour, potato starch, and tapioca flour with a touch of xanthan gum. The xanthan gum helps to provide springiness to the lava cake for a light and tender dessert.
  • Texture: The protein in the sorghum flour helps give baked goods an almost wheat-like texture. It also aids in browning for those times you need a perfectly golden brown chocolate chip cookie or cake.

This gluten-free baking flour was gently incorporated into the bittersweet chocolate and whipped egg mixture. There was just enough flour to help bind the ingredients together to create an incredibly crisp cakey outside and oozy molten delicious center. The texture is very similar to wheat flour for this cake. Your guests would never detect a difference!

two ramekins dusted with baking flour

I used 8-ounce ramekins for baking each cake. This size yields a larger and wider sized cake, compared to a taller cake. To make sure the cakes unmold easily, brush the inside of the ramekin with melted butter, then add some of the gluten-free flour to each cup and coat.

Make sure to tap out the excess flour so that the finished cake does not have a white appearance after baking. Cocoa powder could be used instead of flour if you would like. You just want a light film in the ramekin to help the cake release.

chocolate nutella spread inside a clear jar

The combination of fragrant sweet hazelnuts blended with semi-sweet chocolate morsels is addicting. For this Nutella chocolate lava cake recipe, I made the filling from scratch. It’s so easy!

A quick roast of the hazelnuts to warm up the natural oils makes it easier to grind them down and simpler to spread the chocolate sauce. You will have extra Nutella leftover (you’re welcome), so you can add them to pancakes, waffles, filled cookies, or eat a spoonful straight from the jar. No judgment here friends!

top down view of chocolate sauce being added to four lava cakes

Ok, now time for some fun! You sneak about 1 tablespoon of the homemade Nutella filling in the center of the cake batter. When your guests take their first bite of cake, they will have a tasty surprise!

I’ve also made classic chocolate molten lava cakes with no filling, or you could even add peanut butter, cookie butter or fruit jam to switch it up.

straight on view of a chocolate lava cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top

Let’s talk toppings!

You could be a purist and lightly dust some powdered sugar on top. However to make this dessert festive for the holidays, crush some candy canes, chopped hazelnuts, and shave some chocolate and sprinkle!

The candy cane adds a subtle hint of peppermint flavor that pairs so well with the dark chocolate. I also like to add either a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream. There is something so divine about taking a bite of warm cake and cool ice cream that gives me goosebumps every time.

a bite taken out of a lava cake with chocolate sauce oozing out onto the plate

When you take your first bite, the gorgeous center will delight you with a delicious nutty chocolate filling. The contrast between textures makes this cake unique because you get a surprising sauce hidden in this deceptively simple-looking cake. This stunning dessert will leave your guests with a smile on their face!

How can you make the Nutella chocolate lava cakes ahead of time?

Holiday get-togethers can be hectic, especially if you are the one making a feast. You can prep the cake batter and fill the ramekins a day or two before to save time, just tightly cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve, preheat the oven to 450°F. Place the refrigerated cakes on a sheet tray and bake for 11 minutes. Since the batter was cold, it requires a few more minutes to cook, but the center will be even richer because the chocolate does not get as warm when baked compared to a room temperature batter.

Nutella Lava Cake

Treat guests to a freshly baked gluten free Nutella lava cake. Add your favorite toppings to customize this stunning dessert.
4.84 from 12 votes
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Servings 4 cakes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

Ingredients 
 

  • 9 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate , 60% cacao baking bar, chopped
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons gluten-free flour, more for dusting ramekins
  • ¼ cup Nutella

Instructions 

  • Preheat the Oven - Set the oven rack to the middle position. Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C).
  • Prepare the Ramekins - Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a microwave-safe dish, for about 30 seconds. Brush it on the inside of four 8-ounce ramekins. Lightly coat with flour and tap out the excess. Set the ramekins on a baking sheet.
  • Melt the Chocolate - In a double boiler, over simmering water, melt 8 tablespoons of butter with the chocolate. Whisk to combine until smooth, then remove from heat.
  • Combine the Ingredients - Using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or hand-held mixer, beat the eggs and egg yolks, sugar, and salt at high speed until thickened and pale, about 3 minutes. Quickly fold the chocolate into the mixture. Fold in the gluten-free flour until just combined.
  • Add the Nutella - Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins, filling each about halfway. Add 1 tablespoon of Nutella into the center of the batter in each ramekin. Then, evenly distribute the remaining batter on top to cover the Nutella.
  • Bake - Bake on the baking sheet for 9 minutes, or until the sides are set, the tops slightly cracked, and the centers are slightly jiggly.
  • To Serve - Let the cakes cool in the ramekins for 1 minute. Run a knife or small spatula along the sides a few times to release.
    Cover each ramekin with an inverted dessert plate. Wear an oven mitt and carefully turn each one over, and let stand for 10 seconds. Use a spatula or knife to lift the corner of the ramekin and a gloved hand to lift and unmold the cake. Add desired toppings. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Do Not Over-Bake: Each additional minute will result in a noticeably less molten chocolate cake filling.
  • Make Ahead: Portion the batter in ramekins and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for several hours before baking or up to 24 hours in advance. Bake straight from the refrigerator for 10 to 11 minutes.
  • Butter Substitute: Substitute coconut oil for the butter.
  • Using All-purpose flour: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour.
  • Topping Suggestions: Powdered sugar, ice cream, whipped cream, chopped nuts, crushed candy canes, strawberries, chocolate shavings or mint.

Nutrition Facts

Serves: 4 cakes
Calories 696kcal (35%)Carbohydrates 50g (17%)Protein 9g (18%)Fat 52g (80%)Saturated Fat 32g (160%)Polyunsaturated Fat 2gMonounsaturated Fat 13gTrans Fat 1gCholesterol 255mg (85%)Sodium 128mg (5%)Potassium 369mg (11%)Fiber 5g (20%)Sugar 38g (42%)Vitamin A 1067IU (21%)Calcium 82mg (8%)Iron 4mg (22%)

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.

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Jessica Gavin

I'm a culinary school graduate, cookbook author, and a mom who loves croissants! My passion is creating recipes and sharing the science behind cooking to help you gain confidence in the kitchen.

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  1. brittany | words like honeycomb says

    homemade nutella?! I shouldn’t know such things are possible…buuuut holidays call for a little splurging 😉 <3 love this! gluten free has come SO far!

    • Jessica Gavin says

      Oh yes!!! Homemade nutella is so yummy and you can control more of what goes into it. I seriously could not tell that the cakes were gluten free. Bob’s Red Mill did a great job with it’s baking flour formula!