Description
These decadent Chocolate Lava Cookies feature a rich, gooey chocolate ganache center encased in a soft, fudgy cocoa cookie dough. Perfect for chocolate lovers, these cookies offer a delightful lava-like surprise inside with every bite, combining the creaminess of chocolate ganache and the comforting texture of freshly baked cookies.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Ganache Filling
- ¾ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy cream
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, divided
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Chocolate Ganache: Combine the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds, then stir gently. Continue heating in 30-second intervals as needed until the mixture is smooth. Chill in the refrigerator for about one hour or until the ganache firms up enough to hold its shape when scooped.
- Preheat and Cream Butter with Sugars: Once ganache is set, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat the softened butter with both brown and white granulated sugars until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
- Add Egg and Dry Ingredients: Add the egg to the creamed mixture and beat until fully incorporated. Reduce the mixer speed and gradually add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ½ cup of cocoa powder, mixing gently to avoid dry pockets and ensure a uniform dough.
- Scoop and Shape Cookie Dough: Using a large #40 cookie scoop, drop balls of cookie dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Flatten each dough ball into a disc shape gently on the baking sheet.
- Coat Ganache and Assemble Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of chilled ganache into a bowl containing the remaining 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder. Toss each ganache scoop to coat evenly. Place a ganache-coated ball onto each cookie dough disc and carefully wrap the dough around the ganache, sealing it completely inside the cookie dough.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 11 minutes until the cookies are set but still soft to maintain the molten center.
- Cool and Serve: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool further, if desired. Serve and enjoy the warm, gooey chocolate lava inside.
Notes
- Ensure the ganache is well chilled before scooping so it holds its shape inside the dough.
- Do not overbake the cookies to keep the lava center molten.
- You can store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For an extra touch, sprinkle with powdered sugar or sea salt before serving.
- If the ganache softens too much while assembling, briefly chill the filled dough balls before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chocolate lava cookies, molten chocolate cookies, chocolate ganache cookies, fudgy cookies, chocolate dessert
