Nothing says I love you like dessert that oozes when you cut into it.
This gooey chocolate lava cake for two is made for cozy Valentine’s Day moments at home - no reservations, no stress, just rich chocolate and a little drama in the middle.
Baked in Ironclad Junior Pans, each cake gets perfectly crisp edges, a tender crumb and that molten center that feels indulgent. It’s the kind of dessert that says I planned this, whether you’re cooking for a partner, a best friend, or just the two of you who deserve something extra special.
Makes 2 lava cakes using Ironclad Jnr pans.
INGREDIENTS
For the Cake Batter:
75g Pana Organic dairy-free chocolate (chopped or chocolate chips)
50g Pana Organic vegan butter or coconut oil
50g coconut sugar (or organic cane sugar)
50ml oat milk (or any plant-based milk)
½ tsp vanilla extract
40g plain flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
15g cocoa powder (Pana Organic cocoa preferred)
¼ tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
For the Molten Center:
2 extra squares of Pana Organic dairy-free chocolate
Optional Toppings:
Pana Organic chocolate shavings
Fresh berries
A scoop of vegan ice cream
METHOD
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 200°C (392°F) fan-forced or 220°C (428°F) conventional. Place your Ironclad Jnr pans inside to preheat for 5 minutes—this ensures an even bake.
Melt the Chocolate and Butter: In a heatproof bowl, melt 75g of Pana Organic chocolate with 50g of vegan butter (or coconut oil) over a double boiler or in short microwave bursts, stirring until smooth.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together coconut sugar, oat milk, and vanilla extract, then pour in the melted chocolate mixture and mix well.
Add Dry Ingredients: Sift in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, folding gently until just combined. Do not overmix—this keeps the batter light and fudgy.
Prepare the Ironclad Jnr Pans: Carefully remove the preheated Ironclad Jnr pans from the oven (use oven mitts!) and lightly grease them with coconut oil or vegan butter.
Fill the Pans: Spoon half of the batter into each Ironclad Jnr pan.
Place one square of Pana Organic chocolate into the center of each cake and cover with the remaining batter.
Bake: Place the pans in the oven and bake for 9–11 minutes. The edges should be set but the center should remain soft. If you prefer a runnier center, bake for 9 minutes.
Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the cakes rest for 1–2 minutes before serving. Enjoy straight from the Ironclad Jnr, or carefully run a knife along the edges and invert onto a plate.
Garnish with your choice of toppings and enjoy!
