Dessert

Easy Chocolate Pudding Cakes Recipe

ByEthan Lark October 31, 2025October 31, 2025

Introduction

These Easy Chocolate Pudding Cakes are a luscious dessert that combines the richness of melted chocolate with a soft, pudding-like center. Perfect for chocolate lovers, they come together quickly and bake into individual servings that impress every time.

A heart-shaped chocolate cake in a white dish with browned edges fills most of the frame, showing a soft, moist top layer with cracked texture and shiny melted chocolate drizzled unevenly across it. On the right side, a dollop of white cream mixed with some chocolate is placed, sprinkled lightly with small chocolate shavings. The background is a white marbled texture covered by scattered dark chocolate curls and a deep dark red dried rose resting near the top right of the dish. A small bite of the cake covered in melted chocolate sits on an antique silver spoon in the bottom left corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 stick salted butter
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3.2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
2 eggs, at room temperature
2 egg yolks, at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 squares semi-sweet or dark chocolate

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400° F. Lightly butter four 6-ounce ramekins and place them on a baking sheet.
Step 2: Melt the butter, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and chopped dark chocolate together over low heat, stirring often until smooth.
Step 3: In a bowl, whisk the eggs and egg yolks for 1 minute until pale yellow. Add the sugar, flour, instant coffee granules, and salt; whisk to combine.
Step 4: Gradually whisk the melted chocolate mixture into the eggs mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 5: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared ramekins. Press one chocolate square into the center of each cake.
Step 6: Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are just set but the centers remain soft.
Step 7: Serve warm, optionally topped with chocolate shavings and lightly whipped cream.

Tips & Variations

Use high-quality chocolate for a richer flavor and smoother texture.
If you don’t have instant coffee granules, you can omit them; they enhance the chocolate flavor but aren’t essential.
Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or chili powder to the batter for a unique twist.
For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with coconut oil and use vegan chocolate chips.

Storage

These cakes are best enjoyed fresh and warm but can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the microwave for 20-30 seconds before serving to restore the gooey center.