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Chocolate Lava Skull Cakes

Chocolate Lava Skull Cakes

The Crispy Chef
These creepy molten skull cakes are everything a Halloween dessert should be: rich, dramatic, and shockingly easy to make. Crack open the skull and watch gooey chocolate lava ooze out — it's spooky, show-stopping, and unforgettable.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 34 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6 cakes
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • Skull-shaped silicone or metal molds
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk or spatula
  • Sifter
  • Cooking spray or butter
  • Cocoa powder (for dusting)

Ingredients
  

  • 6 oz semi-sweet or dark chocolate (chopped, not chips)
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.5 tsp espresso powder (optional)
  • as needed butter or cooking spray (for molds)
  • as needed cocoa powder (for dusting molds)
  • optional powdered sugar (for dusting)
  • optional raspberry sauce or fresh berries (for serving)

Instructions
 

  • Generously butter or spray your skull molds and dust with cocoa powder, tapping out excess. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Melt chopped chocolate and butter in 30-second bursts in microwave-safe bowl. Stir until smooth and cool for 5 minutes.
  • Whisk eggs, yolks, and powdered sugar until slightly thick and pale. Add vanilla and espresso powder. Stir in cooled chocolate mixture. Sift in flour, cocoa, and salt. Fold just until combined.
  • Divide batter evenly into molds, filling about ¾ full. Tap molds gently to remove air bubbles.
  • Bake for 12–14 minutes. Edges should be set and centers slightly jiggly. Underbaking is better than overbaking.
  • Let cakes cool in molds for exactly 1 minute. Invert onto plates and gently release. Use silicone molds for easier unmolding.
  • Serve warm. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle raspberry sauce or plate with fresh berries for a spooky effect.

Notes

Don't skip greasing and dusting your skull molds well. You can prep batter ahead and bake just before serving. Underbake slightly for best molten texture. Try raspberry sauce or edible glitter for dramatic plating.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 4gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 80mgPotassium: 140mgFiber: 2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 420IUCalcium: 25mgIron: 2.3mg
Keyword chocolate skull cake, halloween dessert, lava cake, skull cake
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