Keto Lava Cake
This Keto Lava Cake recipe is so easy; you will feel like you are cheating. When you bite into this rich and decadent keto chocolate lava cake, you will be hit with a fluffy cake and ooey-gooey center oozing out. These only have 7 ingredients, 3 net carbs, and are ready to enjoy in under 25 minutes!
There are days when I want nothing more than to relax with a warm chocolate dessert in my hands. With this incredible keto chocolate lava cake, you can have just that. It’s baked to utter perfection, and the warm goodness is comforting.
We try to limit sweet treats in our house, so they are actual “treats” and not an everyday thing. But I will admit when I bite into one of these homemade low carb lava cakes, it’s hard to resist the next bite, and the next thing I know, it has disappeared. That is why I love baking them in ramekins. Using ramekins gives you an immediate personalized sized keto dessert. There is no risk in overeating because you are entirely in charge of the serving size.
You are going to have a new favorite dessert, this keto molten lava cake just so happens to be gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and low carb too.
For a few other individual-sized desserts for a keto diet make sure to try my Keto Mug Brownie, Peanut Butter Mug Cake, and Vanilla Mug Cake! You can even get six mug cake recipes on a one page printable with my Free Mug Cake Cheat Sheet.
Reader Review
I just finished eating (inhaling) one of these and OH MY GOODNESS! This is as close to the original, sugar-filled, carb-loaded recipe that you’re going to find. It was absolutely delicious. – Dawn ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ingredients
Butter – Be sure to use salted butter to get the right flavor of lava cake.
Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips – This is where you get that deep, incredible chocolate flavor.
Sweetener – I use a blend of xylitol, erythritol, and stevia. It is twice as sweet as sugar so you need less and making your own blend is much cheaper than branded sweeteners.
Pure Vanilla Extract – Or for a mint chocolate cake sub in peppermint extract.
Almond Flour – If you would like to make this keto lava cake nut-free you can try sunflower seed flour in place of the almond flour. It can be subbed in 1:1. Coconut flour will not work.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Make sure to choose one with a rich chocolate flavor.
Large Eggs – Eggs are necessary for this recipe.
How To Make Keto Lava Cake
As you have seen, this no-fuss lava cake only requires seven ingredients. But it’s so simple to make it only has three steps! There is no need to overwork yourself for an indulgent dessert.
Step 1: Start off by heating the oven to 375 degrees.
Step 2: In either a saucepan or the microwave, combine and melt the butter, sugar free chocolate, and sweetener together.
After they are done heating, mix in the vanilla, almond flour, and cocoa together. Whisk until smooth and slowly add in the beaten eggs.
Step 3: Grease 4 ramekins well with cooking spray or butter. Divide the keto lava cake batter evenly among the ramekins and bake for 13 minutes. The center will look wet and jiggly. Remove the keto chocolate lava cakes from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes. Serve in the bakeware or invert them onto a serving plate.
Variations
Chocolate – One of the easiest ways to change up the flavor is to vary the type of chocolate chips you use. You can use any flavor of sugar free keto chips in this. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or semisweet chocolate are the usual choice. But even white chocolate or keto peanut butter chips should work.
Extracts – Add peppermint extract for a mint chocolate lava cake or almond extract for a nutty flavor. Most extracts are keto friendly.
Sprinkles – I love the sugar-free sprinkles from The Sprinkle Co on Etsy. You can easily make a simple dessert holiday-themed with a few sprinkles. Check out the cute low carb keto Valentine’s Day heart sprinkles in the photo below. Buy them here.
Whipped Cream – Who can resist a dollop of whipped cream on their keto chocolate cake and other keto dessert recipes? Just whip some heavy cream and add a little powdered sweetener and vanilla extract.
Ice Cream – Warm desserts topped with cold ice cream is my favorite combination. A simple keto vanilla ice cream goes perfectly with this rich chocolate lava cake.
Salt – A pinch of coarse salt on top of the keto lava cakes is a great choice if you like the sweet and salty combination.
Top Tips
- You need to generously grease the ramekins or whatever you are baking them in. This is vital if you want to invert them onto a plate. If you are eating them out of the ramekin, then it’s not as big of a deal, but otherwise, they won’t give you that beautiful styling you like.
- Never overbake the cakes. It’s tempting to keep baking them, but if you do, they will not have that molten lava that makes these lava cakes stand out.
- They are best served when eaten right away. That will keep them hot and gooey just the way they are meant to be.
Common Questions
Is It Safe To Eat The Inside of a Lava Cake?
Absolutely! I know the idea of eating an undercooked cake could scare many people. However, this keto chocolate lava cake is perfectly fine to eat.
As the cake bakes, the interior of the cake where the lava is will get hot enough to temper the eggs. Due to this fact, they are acceptable to eat without the worry of eating raw eggs because the eggs will be cooked enough that they are safe at this point. So, rest assured this breathtaking dessert is safe and unbelievably delicious.
Can I Make The Batter Ahead of Time?
Yep! If you are planning a dinner party or want to serve these keto lava cakes for the holidays, you can prepare the batter ahead of time.
Place the batter in the greased ramekins or whatever you decide to bake them in. Then put them on a baking sheet and cover each one with plastic wrap. Put them in the fridge for 1-2 days. Before baking, you will need to set them on the counter to come to room temperature for 30 minutes – 1 hour before baking. Once they are room temp, go ahead and bake as directed.
Want to use your instant pot? Try this Instant Pot Lava Cakes recipe!
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Keto Lava Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter
- ⅓ cup sugar-free chocolate chips
- ¼ cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or see alternatives in recipe notes)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp almond flour
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375.
- Melt the butter, chocolate, and sweetener in the microwave or on low heat in a saucepan. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla, almond flour, and cocoa until smooth. Mix in the beaten eggs.
- Divide between 4 well-greased ramekins or small oven-safe coffee cups. Bake for 13 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes. Serve in the bakeware or invert onto plates.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally Published November 2, 2020. Revised and Republished January 23, 2024.
I have now made this several times in the last few months! So delicious and simple! One question for you, I just tried making at a relatives house (Colorado) and didn’t turn out. Do you have any suggestions for adjustments to make for high altitude?
This is SO good. I did substitute Maple syrup (just a little over 1/1 for your sweetener). I would devour myself or serve to guests!
I’m glad to hear maple syrup worked!
Taryn, the current Pyure package still says it is twice as sweet as sugar. I use half the amount called for in most sugar-free recipes with good results.
I just finished eating (inhaling) one of these and OH MY GOODNESS! This is as close to the original, sugar-filled, carb-loaded recipe that you’re going to find. It was absolutely delicious.
Hi there!
Could I bake this in a small 8×8 pan?
Thank you!
Laura
Sorry, I don’t think it would end up gooey like lava cake if you bake it in an 8×8.
Is there a substitute for the butter to make these dairy free? Do you think coconut oil would work? I have refined so doesn’t have coconut taste.
I think coconut oil would work. 🙂
I’m in love with this recipe! It really hits the spot when I’m craving some desserts but don’t want to make too much and overindulge! Plus, it’s just so delicious!
Goodness gracious, this was wonderful! It really does feel like a decadent cheat, but I am so glad it’s not because I can’t wait to make it again!
These cakes are delicious, They remind our family of Carnival Cruises we took when the kids were growing up.
What if you don’t mind using regular chocolate chips or other sweetener like coconut sugar or maple syrup? How much would be needed? This good great otherwise!
You can use regular chocolate chips. I think coconut sugar would work better, try 1.5 times the amount listed.
If your sweetener is twice as sweet as sugar and Pyure is twice as sweet as sugar, then why wouldn’t you use the same amount of Pyure?
Pyure is not twice as sweet as sugar unless they’ve changed their recipe. From my research when I made my sweetener facts it was sweeter than that. I’d try a little less just to be safe.
I have wondered that, too.