I discovered these by accident when I mixed leftover melted chocolate into cookie dough cups. The next morning, my family cracked them open, and molten chocolate flowed everywhere – total game changer! Now they’re my go-to whenever I need to seriously impress someone.
The moment you break into these warm cookie cups, gooey chocolate ganache erupts like liquid gold. Each bite gives you that perfect contrast – crispy cookie shell giving way to velvety chocolate that coats your spoon. Make a batch and watch them disappear faster than you can take photos.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cookie cups deliver pure chocolate bliss in individual portions. The technique creates perfect vessels for molten chocolate ganache that stays gooey in the center. Simple ingredients like butter, brown sugar, chocolate chips, and cream combine to make something impressive enough for special occasions but easy enough for weeknight cravings.
They’re completely customizable, too. Swap chocolate types, add sea salt on top, or try peanut butter ganache instead. I’ve made them with fancy chocolate and grocery store chips – people go crazy for both versions.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Cups
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups chocolate chips, divided
For the Lava Center
- 6 oz dark chocolate, chopped
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Pinch of salt
- Vanilla ice cream for serving (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Ganache
Heat your cream in a small saucepan until it just starts simmering. Pour this over your chopped chocolate in a bowl, wait 2 minutes, then whisk everything smooth. Stir in butter and salt. Pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes until it thickens up.
2. Create Cookie Dough
Cream your butter with both sugars until everything looks fluffy – about 3 minutes of beating. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in another bowl, then slowly add this to your butter mixture. Fold in 1½ cups of chocolate chips.
3. Shape Your Cups
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease 12 muffin cups. Press about 3 tablespoons of dough into each cup, building up walls along the sides. Create a nice indent in the center for your ganache.
4. Add the Magic Centers
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of chilled ganache into each cookie cup center. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top.
5. Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn golden but centers still look slightly underdone. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully removing each one.
6. Serve and Watch the Magic
Serve these warm with vanilla ice cream and prepare for the amazed gasps when people break them open!
Chocolate Lava Cookie Cups
Ingredients
For the Cookie Cups
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups chocolate chips divided
For the Lava Center
- 6 oz dark chocolate chopped
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- Pinch of salt
- Vanilla ice cream for serving optional
Instructions
- Make ganache with cream and chocolate, then chill until thick.
- Create cookie dough and press into muffin cups with center wells.
- Fill wells with ganache and top with chocolate chips.
- Bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes until golden.
- Serve warm for maximum lava drama.
Tips & Variations
- First batch tip: Don’t stress if they look wonky – mine did too! Imperfect ones often taste the best.
- Make-ahead hack: Prep cookie cups and ganache separately, then assemble before baking.
- Timing trick: Cool for exactly 5 minutes – less burns your tongue, more kills the lava effect.
- Flavor boost: Add a splash of espresso to ganache for deeper chocolate flavor.
- Fun twist: Try mini marshmallows in the ganache for s’mores vibes.
- Size options: Make mini versions in mini muffin tins or go giant in ramekins for dinner parties.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these immediately while ganache flows like molten gold, paired with vanilla bean ice cream or fresh berries. Dust with powdered sugar for elegance, or drizzle caramel sauce for extra indulgence. Perfect for dinner parties, date nights, or any time you need to seriously impress.
Final Thoughts
These chocolate lava cookie cups combine everything we love about cookies and lava cakes into one incredible treat. The contrast between crispy cookie shell and flowing chocolate center creates pure dessert magic. They look fancy but stay surprisingly simple to make, and that dramatic lava reveal gets people excited every single time. Make these once and you’ll understand why they’re destined to become your new favorite dessert.
