What makes lava cookies gooey in the center?

The gooey center comes from placing chilled or frozen chocolate (like truffles or ganache) inside the dough before baking. As the outer cookie bakes and sets, the chocolate core melts slowly, staying molten and luscious. Underbaking by a minute or two also keeps the middle soft and lava like.

Can you freeze gooey lava cookies for later?

Yes, you can freeze them either baked or unbaked. For unbaked cookies, freeze the filled dough balls, then bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time. If already baked, let them cool fully before freezing. Reheat gently in the microwave for gooey goodness anytime.

How do you reheat molten lava cookies without drying them out?

Reheat lava cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a low oven (300°F) for 5 minutes. This gently warms the center without drying out the cookie edges. Avoid high heat, which can overcook the molten middle and ruin the texture contrast.

What type of chocolate works best for gooey lava cookies?

Use high quality dark or semi sweet baking chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content for rich, gooey centers. Avoid chocolate chips, as they contain stabilizers that prevent full melting. For extra indulgence, try using filled truffles or a homemade ganache.

Gooey Lava Cookies: Ultimate Guide to a Molten Delight

Description

Thick, soft, and oozing with molten chocolate, these Gooey Lava Cookies are a warm, nostalgic treat perfect for any dessert lover. They deliver that restaurant-level lava cake experience, no ramekins required.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
12 chocolate truffles or frozen ganache balls

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Instructions

Freeze chocolate truffles or ganache balls for at least 30 minutes.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars together until fluffy.
Add eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla; mix until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined—don’t overmix.
Scoop large balls of dough, flatten slightly, and place a frozen chocolate center inside. Seal the dough around the filling.
Chill the formed dough balls for 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake cookies for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set but centers appear slightly underdone.
Let cookies rest on the baking tray for 5 minutes before serving warm or storing.

Notes

Use high-quality chocolate for the best molten center. Slight underbaking is essential for gooey texture. Freeze cookie dough balls for easy make-ahead baking.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American