Molten Chocolate Center Cookies are rich, soft chocolate cookies with a decadent, gooey chocolate filling that melts in your mouth. These indulgent cookies are perfect for dessert lovers who crave the combination of a crisp exterior and a molten chocolate core.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cookies deliver everything you love about a molten lava cake in a convenient cookie form. Each bite breaks open to reveal a warm, fudgy center that oozes with rich chocolate. They’re easy to bake and serve, making them ideal for special occasions, holidays, or simply when you need a luxurious chocolate fix.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks (for dough)
- Chocolate truffles or baking chocolate squares (for filling)
directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
Add the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
Fold in chocolate chips or chunks.
Scoop out dough into balls, about two tablespoons each. Flatten slightly, place a piece of chocolate truffle or square in the center, then wrap the dough around it to seal.
Place the filled dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers appear slightly underbaked.
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving warm for a gooey center.
Servings and timing
Servings: 12 to 14 cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 to 12 minutes
Total Time: 30 to 32 minutes
Variations
Use dark chocolate or caramel-filled centers for different flavors.
Add a pinch of chili powder or espresso powder to the dough for depth.
Sprinkle sea salt on top before baking for a sweet-salty contrast.
Substitute white chocolate chunks for a sweeter filling.
storage/reheating
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
To reheat and restore the molten center, microwave each cookie for about 10 to 15 seconds.
Cookies can also be frozen before or after baking. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1 to 2 extra minutes to the baking time.
FAQs
What kind of chocolate works best for the molten center?
Soft-centered chocolate truffles or baking squares with a high cocoa content melt well for a gooey center.
Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours or frozen for longer storage.
Do the cookies stay molten after cooling?
The centers solidify as they cool, but reheating them briefly restores the molten texture.
Can I use milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet?
Yes, but the cookies will be sweeter. Choose your chocolate based on preference.
How do I keep the chocolate from leaking out?
Make sure the chocolate center is fully enclosed in the dough with no seams exposed.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to replace the all-purpose flour.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
It’s not required, but chilling for 30 minutes can help prevent spreading and deepen flavor.
Can I stuff these cookies with other fillings?
Yes, try caramel squares, peanut butter cups, or marshmallows for variety.
How do I ensure the center stays gooey?
Do not overbake; the center should appear slightly underdone when removing from the oven.
Are these cookies freezer-friendly?
Yes, freeze either the baked cookies or the unbaked dough balls. Reheat for a freshly-baked experience.
Conclusion
Molten Chocolate Center Cookies are the ultimate indulgence for chocolate lovers. With a rich cookie shell and a luscious molten filling, they strike the perfect balance between texture and flavor. Whether served warm from the oven or reheated for a treat, they are always a show-stopping dessert.
PrintMolten Chocolate Center Cookies
Molten Chocolate Center Cookies are rich chocolate cookies with a soft, gooey chocolate center that melts in your mouth. Like lava cake in cookie form, they’re a decadent treat for any chocolate lover.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 to 12 minutes
- Total Time: 30 to 32 minutes
- Yield: 12 to 14 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
- 12 to 14 chocolate truffles or baking chocolate squares (for filling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips or chunks.
- Scoop dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls. Flatten slightly, place a chocolate truffle or square in the center, then wrap the dough around it and seal completely.
- Place on prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set but centers are still slightly soft.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving warm for the gooey molten center.
Notes
- Don’t overbake—the centers should look slightly underdone for maximum gooeyness.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes can help reduce spreading and enhance flavor.
- Microwave cooled cookies for 10–15 seconds to re-melt the centers.
- Try different fillings like caramel, marshmallows, or nut butter cups for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg