Description
A soft chocolate cupcake with a gooey molten center that tastes just like recess—this nostalgic dessert is rich, playful, and easy to make. Perfect for kids, lunchboxes, or a cozy night treat, these gooey cupcakes stay soft and dreamy for days. Keywords: gooey center cupcakes, soft chocolate cupcakes, molten cupcake dessert, nostalgic baking recipe.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
0.5 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
0.5 cup whole milk
0.25 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
0.5 cup hot water
12 pieces chocolate chips or chocolate squares (for the center)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg, then mix in milk, oil, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until combined.
5. Slowly stir in the hot water until the batter is smooth and slightly thin.
6. Fill each cupcake liner halfway with batter.
7. Add one piece of chocolate or filling into the center of each.
8. Top with a little more batter to cover the filling completely.
9. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the tops are set and springy.
10. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or reheat briefly to enjoy gooey centers.
Notes
Use slightly chilled chocolate pieces to keep the centers from sinking.
Don’t overfill the liners—this helps maintain a gooey middle.
Let cupcakes cool just a bit before serving for that perfect lava-like texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg