Pin it
Indulgent Red Velvet Lava Cupcakes mix the simplicity of boxed cake with luscious chocolate ganache inside. When warm, these treats burst with gooey chocolate goodness, making an eye-catching dessert that's way simpler than regular lava cakes.
What's great about these cupcakes is how easy they are. They look and taste amazing but start with a box mix and simple chocolate filling. It's a clever way to whip up something special without any fancy baking skills.
Key Ingredients
- Red Velvet Cake Mix: With required package items
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Good chocolate bars work best
- Heavy Cream: To create filling
- Large Eggs: Listed on mix package
- Vegetable Oil: Listed on mix package
- Water: Listed on mix package
- Powdered Sugar: For sprinkling on top
- Cupcake Liners: For easy removal
Making Your Cupcakes
- Creating The Filling: Finely slice chocolate and put in a bowl. Warm cream until bubbles form at edges, then pour onto chocolate. Mix until completely smooth. Cool in fridge until solid, about 2 hours minimum.
- Mixing The Batter: Follow box directions for the red velvet cake mix. Put paper liners in muffin pans. Fill each cup just halfway - less than you normally would to avoid spillovers.
- Putting It Together: Roll chilled ganache into 1-tablespoon balls. Drop one ball into each cup of batter. Don't push it down - it'll sink a bit while baking.
- Cooking Time: Bake at 350°F for about 20-23 minutes. Check if they're done by sticking a toothpick into the edge, not the middle. Let cool briefly in the pan.
- Getting Ready To Eat: Take cupcakes out of pan and take off the liners. Flip them upside down on plates, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Eat while they're still warm for the best flowing center.
Pin it
Temperature is the key thing here. As my baking teacher always said, "The real magic starts when they're warm - that's when the chocolate starts to flow."
Storing And Planning Ahead
You can make the ganache up to 3 days early and keep it in the fridge. The finished cupcakes will stay good at room temp for about 2 days, but they taste best fresh and warm. To warm them up again, pop a cupcake in the microwave for a few seconds until the middle gets gooey again. You can even freeze the prepared ganache for up to a month if needed.
Serving Ideas And Options
Always serve these warm to get that flowing center. For a fancy look, flip the cupcake upside down on a small plate, take off the paper liner, and dust with powdered sugar right before serving. Make a nice dessert spread by adding vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on the side. During special occasions, add festive sprinkles or drizzle extra chocolate sauce over the top.
Pin it
Fun Twists To Try
Switch things up by using different cake mixes like chocolate, vanilla, or spice cake which all turn out great. Try playing with the filling too - white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even flavored chocolates work nicely. While you can change things around, the classic combo of red velvet with semi-sweet chocolate center makes a perfect Valentine's treat or special occasion dessert that always wows everyone.
Wrapping Up
These Red Velvet Lava Cupcakes show that amazing desserts can come from basic ingredients. Each cupcake hides a rich chocolate surprise while being much easier to make than traditional lava cakes. Whether you need something fancy for Valentine's Day or just want to make something special, this recipe proves you don't need complicated steps to create something truly delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prep them ahead of time?
- Sure, just warm them up in the microwave before serving for the gooey center.
- → Why not fill liners to the top?
- The chocolate filling makes the batter rise higher than usual.
- → Can I try it with another cake mix?
- Of course, just use your favorite flavor—it’ll still turn out great!
- → How do I check if they're ready?
- Poke the sides with a toothpick. Avoid the center since it has the filling.
- → Why flip them over to serve?
- It shows off the chocolate center beautifully as it flows down.