How to Make the Best-Ever Chocolate Lava Cake Using a Boxed Cake Mix

I love a good lava cake. If I go to a restaurant and see lava cake on the menu, I’m getting it—no questions asked. There’s something about that warm, gooey chocolate center surrounded by fluffy cake that makes every bite pure indulgence. But since I’ve cut back on dining out for a while, I needed to find a way to bring that restaurant-quality lava cake into my own kitchen.

That’s when I came across an easy lava cake hack using boxed cake mix, shared by content creator Maze (@mazerlazer_) on Instagram and TikTok. Instead of making a complicated batter from scratch, this method simplifies the process without sacrificing that rich, molten center. With just a few ingredients and a little creativity, you can have homemade lava cake in no time.

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How to Make Lava Cake with Boxed Cake Mix

You don’t need fancy ingredients to make a decadent homemade lava cake. This method uses a store-bought cake mix as the base and a simple technique to create that ooey-gooey chocolate center.

You can get the full ingredients and method on Maze's TikTok or Instagram page, but you'll need a box of chocolate cake mix, eggs, oil, granulated sugar, dark chocolate fudge frosting, butter and powdered sugar.

Scoop out about a quarter cup of the cake mix and set it aside. With the remaining cake mix, add 2 eggs and oil, then mix until well combined.

Butter the inside of ramekins (or a muffin tin if you don’t have ramekins). Mix the reserved cake mix with about a quarter cup of sugar, then swirl this mixture around the inside of each buttered ramekin to coat the sides. This will help create a slightly crispy texture around the edges and help the cakes rise up the sides of the pan.

Add a small spoonful of batter into each ramekin, just enough to lightly cover the bottom. Then, use a spoon to create a small well in the center. Spoon a generous amount of dark chocolate fudge frosting into the well. This is the key to that gooey lava center!

Scoop more of the cake batter on top of the frosting, smoothing it down gently to ensure the frosting is fully enclosed. Place the ramekins (or muffin tin) in a 450° oven and bake for 15 minutes. The edges should be set, but the center will still be slightly soft.

To invert the cakes, place a small plate on top of a ramekin, then carefully flip the cake upside down onto the plate. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy them warm while the center is still molten.

Related: The Supersmart Chocolate-Melting Trick We Wish We’d Known About Sooner

Tips & Tricks for the Best Lava Cake

Want to take your homemade lava cakes to the next level? Here are some expert tips and variations:

First, the key to a perfect lava cake is a firm exterior with a soft, gooey center. Stick to the 15-minute bake time for the best results. Let them rest for a minute before flipping so that the cakes hold their shape when releasing from the ramekins.

While chocolate fudge frosting creates that classic molten chocolate center, you can also use peanut butter, Nutella, caramel sauce or even cookie butter for a fun twist. Also, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream and/or some fresh berries is always a good addition.

This easy lava cake recipe proves you don’t need fancy ingredients or a complicated recipe to enjoy a restaurant-style dessert at home. With a boxed cake mix and a little creativity, you can have warm, gooey lava cakes whenever a chocolate craving hits!

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