Rating: 3.66
(143)

Red Velvet Lava Cake

February 12, 2025

Red velvet lava cake is the ultimate indulgence, a dessert that combines the rich, velvety flavor of red velvet cake with a molten, gooey chocolate center. This irresistible treat is perfect for special occasions like Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or whenever you want to spoil yourself or impress your guests. With its striking red color, delicate texture, and warm, gooey center, it’s a showstopper that’s just as delicious as it is stunning.

The base of the red velvet lava cake is a moist, soft cake with a mild cocoa flavor. What makes red velvet so unique is the slight tang from the buttermilk, which pairs wonderfully with the richness of the cake. The cake’s deep red hue adds an elegant touch, making it an eye-catching dessert. As the cake bakes, the exterior firms up, creating a delicate shell that holds in the molten chocolate center, giving it the signature “lava” effect when you cut into it.

The real magic of red velvet lava cake lies in its filling. Inside, there’s a luscious, gooey center of melted chocolate, which oozes out when you break the cake open. This warm, rich chocolate filling contrasts perfectly with the soft, moist cake, creating an indulgent bite with every spoonful. The combination of the sweet red velvet cake and bittersweet molten chocolate is irresistible, delivering a rich flavor profile that both chocolate lovers and red velvet fans will adore.

To take the red velvet lava cake to the next level, top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The creaminess of the ice cream complements the warm cake, and a sprinkle of fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries adds a refreshing tartness to balance out the sweetness. For an even more luxurious touch, drizzle with a bit of chocolate sauce or a dusting of powdered sugar.

This dessert is an impressive way to end a meal and is perfect for intimate gatherings or celebrations. Whether you’re sharing it with someone special or treating yourself, red velvet lava cake is a decadent and memorable experience.

Red Velvet Lava Cake
Red Velvet Lava Cake
3.66 from 143 votes
A decadent and delicious Red Velvet Lava Cake with a gooey chocolate center, perfect for a special dessert.
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter plus extra for greasing
  • 4 oz white chocolate chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour sifted
  • 1 tablespoon red food coloring
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder unsweetened

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease two ramekins with butter.
  • Melt the butter and white chocolate together in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, egg yolk, and sugar until pale and thick.
  • Stir the melted chocolate mixture and vanilla extract into the egg mixture until well combined.
  • Fold in the flour, cocoa powder, and red food coloring until the batter is smooth.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared ramekins.
  • Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes, just until the edges are set but the center is still soft.
  • Let the cakes cool for 1 minute, then carefully invert each onto a plate.
  • Serve immediately, optionally with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 7gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 210mgSodium: 60mgPotassium: 210mgFiber: 2gSugar: 40gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 2mg
Calories: 550kcal
Meal Type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate, dessert, red velvet
Cooking Method: Baked
Diet: Nut-free
Time: >45 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
Join the Conversation
  1. 5 stars
    This cake was so rich and decadent! The red color made it perfect for Valentine’s Day. Will make again!

  2. User avatar Oolon Colluphid says:

    5 stars
    So easy to make! I impressed my friends at dinner. Thanks!

  3. User avatar denna.mann2 says:

    2 stars
    I followed the recipe but my cakes were more like scrambled eggs. What went wrong? 🤔

    1. User avatar susana.steuber1962 says:

      4 stars
      Maybe you overcooked them? They need to be soft in the center. 👍

  4. User avatar danilo.bartell48 says:

    2 stars
    I followed the recipe but it came out too dry. What went wrong?

  5. User avatar nia.steuber54 says:

    1 star
    This took too much time! I prefer quick and easy desserts without all this fuss.

  6. 1 star
    This looks too complicated for a busy day. Ugh. 😒

  7. User avatar Spider Guardian says:

    4 stars
    425°F feels kinda high to me for only 12 minutes, but I tried it anyway. Edges set like the recipe says, and the middle was soft. I did use dark cocoa so it looked slightly different, but taste was still red velvet-y.

  8. User avatar amos.reichert2016 says:

    4 stars
    Took me a few tries but now I got it! Super rich and chocolatey.

  9. 4 stars
    Tried this for Valentine’s Day and it was a hit! Super easy and impressive. Just follow the time exactly. Yum!

  10. User avatar byron.baumbach2025 says:

    5 stars
    Made these for a date night and WOW. The center was perfectly gooey and the color was gorgeous. I used a little less food coloring just because I’m cautious, but still nailed the vibe. 10/10 would bake again.

  11. User avatar tamera.oreilly39 says:

    3 stars
    It turned out kinda messy. I followed the steps but it didn’t really lava. Maybe I did something wrong?

  12. User avatar smartestRedditor says:

    3 stars
    Lava cakes are usually made with dark chocolate, isn’t this weird?

  13. 5 stars
    La mejor receta de lava cake que he hecho 🥰. Gracias por compartirla!

  14. User avatar willy.larkin2006 says:

    4 stars
    I don’t usually use food coloring, but it really helped the look. Flavor is rich and dessert-y. Mine took like 14 min though.

  15. User avatar leontine.donnelly says:

    4 stars
    Tbh the “optional” ice cream is not optional lol—this needs it. Otherwise it’s a bit heavy. But flavor is on point.

  16. 4 stars
    I was skeptical, but dang this is delish! I used dark chocolate instead, and it worked fine.

  17. User avatar Marybeth Haag III says:

    2 stars
    Why is red food coloring even necessary? Just use chocolate! I dunno why folks want it red.

  18. User avatar Falmer Nightprowler says:

    1 star
    Lava cake? More like lava mess! Mine exploded in the oven. 😩

  19. User avatar aldo.stroman says:

    2 stars
    I think there’s too much sugar in this, my teeth hurt after eating it. Not a fan.

  20. User avatar chad.sawayn1987 says:

    3 stars
    Is it just me or do these taste like regular cake? I thought lava cakes were supposed to ooze more. 😕

  21. User avatar lekisha.stokes88 says:

    3 stars
    Be careful! Mine overflowed in the oven, what a mess! It still tasted good tho…

  22. User avatar stan.predovic90 says:

    4 stars
    Yum! I added some strawberries on top and it was like heaven. Definitely a keeper!

  23. User avatar thanh.leffler53 says:

    3 stars
    Is red food coloring necessary? Can I just skip it? Red is not food!

  24. User avatar deangelo.koelpin2 says:

    4 stars
    Yummy! I added a pinch of salt and it balanced the sweetness perfectly. Will make again!

  25. 2 stars
    I didn’t have white chocolate so I used extra butter and a little cocoa instead… yeah not the same. Still dessert, but not lava cake vibes.

  26. User avatar moses.lesch says:

    4 stars
    Tasty! But a bit too sweet for my taste. Next time, I’ll reduce the sugar! 🧁

  27. User avatar lanette.ortiz14 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is amazing! The lava was so gooey and delicious. My guests were totally impressed!

    1. User avatar my.ratke43 says:

      3 stars
      That sounds great, but aren’t lava cakes supposed to be super tricky? I’m always worried about the gooey stuff pouring everywhere.

    2. User avatar grasshopper says:

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe too and it turned out so good! I’m glad you enjoyed it! What did you serve it with?

  28. 2 stars
    Where’s the chocolate? You only have white chocolate? Disappoint!

  29. User avatar basementDweller says:

    4 stars
    Serve immediately is not optional—mine sat for like 5 minutes and the center firmed up. Next time I’ll plate right away. Still worth making.

  30. 5 stars
    Yummy in my tummy! I added some berries on top. It tastes fancy but isn’t hard to make!

  31. User avatar laila.zemlak2004 says:

    1 star
    Dude instant pudding mix would’ve been better

  32. User avatar liberal.hero says:

    4 stars
    I made this for a big family dinner and it was a hit! Everyone loved it, especially with ice cream.

  33. 3 stars
    This recipe seems complicated for just a cake. Why not just buy one instead? 😒

  34. 3 stars
    I didn’t have white chocolate, so I used milk chocolate instead. It turned out ok but not as good as I expected.

  35. User avatar noemi.tillman94 says:

    5 stars
    Best dessert ever! ❤️ Made it for our anniversary and it was a hit! Ice cream on top was perfect!

  36. User avatar blair.marvin1995 says:

    5 stars
    This is the best lava cake recipe ever! So gooey and delicious. My family loved it!

    1. User avatar belinda.wiegand20 says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! This recipe is a game changer. Can’t believe how easy it is and it tastes so fancy!

  37. User avatar gregg.green says:

    5 stars
    This is the best dessert ever! So rich and chocolatey. I can’t believe how easy it was to make!

  38. User avatar Gandalf the Grey says:

    5 stars
    OMG, these lava cakes are to die for! So chocolatey and rich, and the molten center? Pure heaven! Definitely making these again!

  39. User avatar katia.hansen says:

    3 stars
    Can I use other types of chocolate? What about dark or milk chocolate?

  40. User avatar tissues_with_issues says:

    5 stars
    My oven runs hot so I pulled them at about 10 minutes. They slid right out of the ramekins. I’m making these again for sure.

  41. User avatar leo.batz8 says:

    5 stars
    Mmmm!!! 😍 Perfect dessert for my dinner party! Everyone was raving about it!

    1. 3 stars
      It looks good, but isn’t red velvet cake just a chocolate cake with red dye? 🤔

    2. User avatar adolfo.jacobson49 says:

      5 stars
      So glad to hear everyone loved it! The gooey center is the best part! 😋

  42. User avatar rich.landlord says:

    2 stars
    I don’t get why it says sifted flour, but there’s no mention of sifting the cocoa. Also, why not bake 10 min exactly? Idk, was confusing.

  43. User avatar Spriggan Earth Mother says:

    3 stars
    Not gonna lie, I totally forgot the cocoa powder and used chocolate chips instead. Still turned out good! LOL.

    1. 5 stars
      Chocolate chips instead of cocoa? That’s a genius move! Gonna try that next time for sure!

  44. User avatar zachariah.mayert62 says:

    3 stars
    I’m not sure why my cake didn’t melt in the middle like it’s supposed to! Should I bake it longer? 🤔

  45. 4 stars
    The instructions are pretty straightforward. I messed up the folding once and got streaks, but after whisking the batter again it was fine.

  46. User avatar Orange Dartwing says:

    5 stars
    The color is super pretty! Just be careful with the food dye. A little goes a long way!

  47. User avatar orval.davis1998 says:

    5 stars
    I made this for my girlfriend’s birthday and it was a hit! She loved the color and the gooey center. Definitely a 5 from me!

    1. User avatar Hugh Mungous says:

      5 stars
      Wow, sounds amazing! I’m going to try making this next week for my partner’s anniversary. Thanks for sharing your success!

  48. User avatar rolf.greenholt says:

    4 stars
    This recipe is delish but way too sweet for my taste! Next time, I’m cutting the sugar in half.

  49. 1 star
    I can’t believe I messed up the cake! It was a disaster. My dog wouldn’t even eat it. 😂

    1. User avatar lance.senger says:

      4 stars
      Don’t worry, that happens to the best of us! At least your dog has good taste. 😂

    2. User avatar ingeborg.bode71 says:

      3 stars
      Did you follow the steps? Sounds pretty easy. Maybe just bad luck? 🍰

  50. 3 stars
    Instructions aren’t clear, like how long to cool for? I messed that part up. Just curious.

  51. User avatar anthony.botsford says:

    3 stars
    Mine didn’t come out as “lava” — more like a dense brownie. I think I overbaked or didn’t invert quick enough.

  52. User avatar randall.kessler98 says:

    2 stars
    Red velvet is just chocolate cake with red dye. I see no point in all this hype. But I guess it looked pretty.

    1. User avatar palmer.oberbrunner65 says:

      5 stars
      I disagree! Red velvet has a unique flavor and texture that can’t just be chalked up to dye. It’s totally worth the hype, especially when it’s gooey like this lava cake! 🤤

    2. 2 stars
      I don’t know about that, it just seems like a gimmick to me. A regular chocolate cake tastes better. And why all the fuss over the color? It’s just food!

  53. User avatar shelba.mitchell45 says:

    5 stars
    These are heavenly! The gooey center makes them irresistible! ❤️

  54. User avatar margarette.wuckert1959 says:

    5 stars
    Very easy to make and my kids loved it! Perfect treat for a family movie night!

  55. 3 stars
    Easy to make, but my lava didn’t ooze as much as I’d hoped. Tasted good though!

  56. User avatar Grunthos the Flatulent says:

    4 stars
    This is a great recipe if you don’t mind the color. Red food dye is kinda weird, but the taste is nice!

  57. User avatar marcia.torphy2017 says:

    2 stars
    It turned out more like a cupcake than a lava cake… maybe I didn’t bake it long enough? Kinda disappointing.

    1. User avatar Eddie the Computer says:

      4 stars
      It sounds like you might have overbaked it a bit. Lava cakes need that gooey center, so watch it closely next time! Keep trying!

  58. User avatar Mathew Schuster I says:

    2 stars
    Way too much food coloring for my taste. Like, it’s giving “birthday cupcakes” instead of red velvet. Flavor was ok but color overpowered.

    1. User avatar Lumberjack says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree—1 tablespoon of red food coloring is WILD for this. I’d cut it way down (or use gel coloring) because it can start tasting artificial and the color dominates everything.

    2. 3 stars
      Huh, I didn’t notice it tasting like food dye at all? I mean… maybe my bottle is less intense? I followed it exactly and mine came out like proper red velvet. Could be that different brands are stronger.

  59. User avatar Alethia Upton says:

    1 star
    I messed this up so bad. Thought it was supposed to be chocolate cake, and added chocolate chips! What a disaster!

  60. User avatar son.hauck70 says:

    3 stars
    Great, now I need ramekins and I don’t have them. Could I use mugs? Would it explode? 😅

    1. User avatar simone.bergstrom30 says:

      4 stars
      You can try mugs, but it’s not guaranteed. Just make sure they’re oven-safe (no fancy designs) and keep an eye on the bake time—mugs usually need a little longer or can cook unevenly.

    2. 3 stars
      No, mugs will 100% explode 😅 (jk… kinda). Real talk: if your mug is ceramic/oven-safe it should be fine. The lava part is more about center being soft than vessel shape.

  61. User avatar smartestRedditor says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is amazing! The lava flow was perfect, and everybody loved it!

  62. User avatar Jessica Atreides says:

    2 stars
    Lol I think I ruined it—my red coloring all sank to the bottom and it tasted kinda bitter? Not sure if my cocoa was expired or if microwaving the chocolate made it seize. Gonna try again when I’m braver.

  63. User avatar douglass.wisozk1973 says:

    5 stars
    🤤😍

  64. User avatar fredia.pfannerstill2022 says:

    5 stars
    Tried this and omg the center stayed super gooey—perfect “lava” situation. The white chocolate + cocoa combo is unexpectedly good.

  65. User avatar lou.hermiston4 says:

    4 stars
    Super easy instructions. I used gel food coloring because that’s what I had and it came out a deep color. Next time I’ll try it with a darker cocoa for more contrast.

  66. User avatar Draugr Wight says:

    2 stars
    Naaaaah, I don’t think this is worth the hype. The preparation was a pain and the taste was just meh.

    1. User avatar ellsworth.gottlieb83 says:

      3 stars
      Nah man, I thought it was great! Just gotta follow the steps right. But yeah, baking can be tricky.

    2. User avatar Storm Atronach says:

      4 stars
      I totally get you! Sometimes recipes just don’t live up to the taste they promise. Did you try any tweaks? Maybe less cocoa?

  67. User avatar dannie.gorczany47 says:

    3 stars
    Red food dye is kinda sketchy, why not use beets instead? Just saying! 🌱

    1. User avatar torrie.larkin says:

      4 stars
      Beets are cool and all, but red food dye gives it that classic vibe! Red velvet without it just ain’t the same. 😍

    2. User avatar virgie.pollich80 says:

      3 stars
      Yeah but like, isn’t red dye bad for you? My mom says all that artificial stuff messes you up. I dunno, just thinkin’ out loud. 🤔

  68. 5 stars
    So easy to make! I can’t believe I made this from scratch. Definitely a keeper! 👍

    1. 5 stars
      Congrats! It really is an awesome recipe! 😍 I love how simple it is yet so fancy at the same time. Definitely a keeper for me too! 🍰

  69. 3 stars
    425°F is pretty hot for me—mine puffed up too much and the center was a little less molten. Still tasty though, like rich chocolate custard.

  70. User avatar ozzie.wiegand says:

    2 stars
    Too much sugar for my taste! 😝 Next time I’ll cut it down.

  71. 1 star
    This was supposed to be fancy but what is a lava cake? I thought it was like real lava… confused.

    1. 5 stars
      Lava cake is a dessert, not actual lava! It’s supposed to have a gooey center. You’ll love it once you try!

  72. User avatar edwina.ernser says:

    5 stars
    This is the best dessert ever! My boyfriend is obsessed with red velvet, and he couldn’t stop thanking me!

  73. 2 stars
    Looks fancy! But isn’t lava cake just a glorified undercooked cake? 🤷‍♂️

  74. User avatar marcelino.schowalter31 says:

    2 stars
    I don’t understand why you need so much red food coloring? Is it even safe to eat? Be careful, people!

  75. User avatar tom.schmitt says:

    5 stars
    Yum! The red color makes it perfect for V-Day. I added some strawberries on top!

    1. User avatar Elois Dooley says:

      5 stars
      Strawberries on top? That’s a great idea! It looks even more festive! 🍓

  76. 4 stars
    Yum! The cocoa powder adds a nice taste, but I used a bit too much butter, whoops!

  77. User avatar barbar.heller30 says:

    1 star
    This was a disaster. My cakes didn’t rise at all. Ugh.

  78. 3 stars
    I followed it exactly and it came out more like a dense chocolate cake than lava. Maybe I mixed too hard when folding the flour? Also, I don’t have ramekins so I used muffin tin—probably my fault. Not bad, just not what I wanted.

    1. User avatar ellis.zieme says:

      4 stars
      Ugh, I’m sorry! If it turned into a dense cake, that usually means it baked a bit too long or the centers didn’t stay gooey. With muffin tins it also cooks faster on the edges, so you might want to reduce the time and watch for a set edge + wobbly center.

  79. User avatar mohammed.sauer72 says:

    2 stars
    Can I use milk chocolate instead of white chocolate? I only have milk at home. Also, is it really lava if it doesn’t flow?

  80. User avatar grasshopper says:

    2 stars
    I followed the recipe but it didn’t come out like the picture. Too dry for my liking.

3.66 from 143 votes
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