Grain-Free and Dairy-Free Almond Butter Lava Cakes
These paleo molten chocolate cakes with almond butter are a grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free take on the classic lava cake. They’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser, even for those without dietary restrictions!
Hiiii 🙂 How’s the morning going? Thank you so much for all of your amazing giveaway entries and “feel better” wishes. Thankfully, I’m on the mends today.
I credit it to this…..
Chocolate makes everything better.
Have you seen the movie Chef? If you haven’t, I’m not going to spoil it for you. All I’m going to tell you about the movie is that they call out the molten chocolate cake for being the most cliche dessert on restaurant menus.
I kind of resent that.
Ok, so I totally get where they’re coming from. It’s a “people pleaser.” You put it on a menu, and people will eat it in total silence and crazy faces of pure chocolate ecstasy. It will likely be a top seller, making it a safe move for dessert menus. Another bonus: it’s easily made in advance. You prep the batter, store in the fridge, and bake to order.
Paleo Molten Chocolate Cake
In an effort to make this lava cake entirely different, I got rid of the refined flour, refined sugar and butter.
Instead, this lava cake is made using coconut oil, dark chocolate, coconut sugar and almond meal.
And when I thought to myself, “Cliche dessert. Harrrummmph,” I threw a blob of almond butter into each ramekin 😉
It was a wise decision, indeed.
Here’s the recipe if you’d like to give it a try! I promise that even though it’s dairy and grain-free, it’s still a people pleaser. My little taste tester said “Mmmm. Yummy!” at least 27 times in between bites.
This is a fantastic recipe to make in advance for a dinner party or holiday, too. You can prepare the batter, pour into the ramekins, and cover in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
Grain-free and dairy-free molten chocolate cakes
A decadent dessert minus the refined sugars and flour commonly found in molten chocolate cake. Make ahead and store covered in the fridge for a dinner party or holiday gathering!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 14
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almond meal
- 1/2 cup coconut oil (+ more to grease the ramekins)
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (for dairy-free, opt for a dairy-free chocolate chip like the Enjoy Life brand)
- 3 eggs
- 4 teaspoons almond butter, separated
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 4 ramekins using coconut oil.
- 2. In a glass bowl, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil, either in a double-boiler or the microwave (in intervals of 10 seconds in the microwave). Whisk until smooth.
- 3. Stir in the sugar until combined, and then whisk in the eggs.
- 4. Stir in the vanilla, pinch of sea salt and almond meal. Lightly stir until just combined.
- 5. Divide the batter among the 4 ramekins.
- 6. Top each serving with 1 teaspoon of almond butter. Using a spoon, spoon some of the chocolate batter on top of the almond butter to lightly cover.
- 7. Bake for 13-14 minutes, until just set.
- 8. Allow to cool slightly, and invert onto a serving plate, or serve in the ramekin.
Notes
- Serving suggestions: with your favorite coconut milk ice cream, fresh berries, mint, or dairy-free whipped topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
Hope you enjoy! <3I’ll see ya this afternoon with a new workout.
xoxo
Gina
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Oh my word these look amazing!!! Drooool.
This looks SO good.
And now I’m hungry…. at 9am. 😉
These look SO delicious! And they’re easy to make too…always a bonus.
Drooling!!!
This sounds so good! And I have all the ingredients except almond butter, which I can easily sub with peanut butter. I think I know what’s for dessert tonight!
Oh this looks amazing! I need to get some of those little ramekin dishes so I can make this. Plus, I feel like I never use my coconut oil!
I’ve been on a mug cake kick here lately. I have Celiac so I think I will try this as a mug cake and in the microwave:) Thank you. You are awesome!
let me know if it works in the microwave!!
you NAILED this one! my gosh
Looks amazing, how big are the ramekin dishes?!
i used 3 standard sized ones (the small-med ones) and 1 larger one. it would work well in 4 of the smaller ones, or probably 3 of the huge ones
Oh…my…goodness! This recipe looks SO GOOD! Pinning it asap!! 🙂
Yum! I can’t wait to go home and stock up on Trader Joes almond butter.
These look SO good and easy. I just watched Chef this weekend and loved it…such a sweet movie!
I’m a big dessert lover, but I could take or leave lava cake. I’m more into cheesecake. But these sure do look good:)
“If you’d like to give it a try?” You don’t even need to ask! Of course we do! I’m speaking on behalf of all the other bloggers haha.
Ummmm yummmm. Can’t wait to make this!
!!!!!
That is exactly what I have to say about this recipe. I remember literally DEVOURING the (far less healthy version) when I was younger and I’ve gotta say, I’ve missed them! I will probably have to ruin them slightly in my microwave-version attempt, but I bet they will still be unbelievable. 🙂
So simple and yummy looking, I’ll definitely be trying it.
Harrrumph, indeed! I got a set of ramekins for a wedding gift last spring and have yet to use them (for shame!!). This recipe may be their inaugural use… if I ever finish testing cookie recipes for my new business!
Oh, and I meant to ask: this whole coconut sugar thing. Does it really have a significantly different affect in your body than, say, pure cane sugar? I’ve done some research and am not quite convinced that it’s worth it. Interested in your perspective, since you’re probably better-versed in these things than the average home cook.
These look great! I can’t wait to try the recipe!
These are on my “to-make” list this weekend. I am having some family over, so these cakes will make the perfect after dinner treat. Thanks!
Great movie! I tend to agree w/ you tho re choc lava cake. 😉
I can totally see this as a mug cake. Love the convenience and paleo aspect of this recipe!
I love when individual desserts come in little ramekins. So cute. I could totally see customizing these with different nut butters, or that date caramel sauce recipe that’s been going around.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh my gosh that looks absolutely amazing! It’s like heaven for chocolate lovers. yummmm
Genius idea on the almond butter!! My tiiiny kitchen limits me to having the most standard cooking equipment, so I don’t have any ramekins. I’m going to try to use an oven-safe mug though.
I am one of those people that always gravitates towards the lava cake! It’s so hard to resist!
Will definitely have to try your version soon. But first, I need to buy some ramekins!
Wow! I could take or leave lava cake at restaurants because my experience has usually left me with dry or stale cakes with much to be desired. This one though? Yes please!! This looks so good, especially with the dollop of almond butter. Can’t wait to try these.
Yum! Looks like my kind of treat!
Wow, that’s healthy decadence!
Chef is such a great movie! This molten chocolate cake looks much tastier than in the movie. Almond butter is the perfect addition and I would love to try it with sunflower seed butter too!
Pinned for later! NOM 🙂
It’s kind of a compliment to be known as a cliche! Everyone likes it and it’s overused for a reason!! Your version sounds amazing!
Um, yes please!!!
I’m a sucker for anything with almond butter. I will def be making these soon!!
Your food photography skills are getting crazy. I might have to start avoiding your blog on days I’m fasting. lol
Of course I have all of these ingredients and won’t be able to resist making these…
I made a breakfast version of peanut butter/chocolate on my blog but it’s not nearly as attractive as yours and doesn’t contain all these superfood ingredients!!
Think I could by with lava cake for breakfast??
REALLY?! Who doesn’t love molten lava cake?! 🙂 Making this soon!
These look heavenly!
Yep, I’m pretty sure that blob of almond butter was a GENIUS idea. Looks delish 🙂
Oh my goodness, I saw this on Instagram and came right over- it looks absolutely delicious and I love that it can be made in advance! Making this next time I have some friends over for sure!!
These look SO good! I want one right now! YUM!
OMG… I nearly fell into a chocolate coma just looking at the picture!
These look amazing! Now I’m going to have to go find something chocolate to eat…
Mmmmmmmm.
Substitutes for almond meal? Don’t have any and don’t want to buy it. Can I use almond flour instead?
yes i think that would totally work!
GINA 🙂 What a good idea. Do you think honey would work instead of the coconut sugar? If you subbed a banana you could eat these for breakfast. lol
haha awesome breakfast food!! i’m not sure if honey would work. it’s a texture thing. if you try it, please let me know what happens!
Ok. I was thinking along the same lines 😉
these look amazing, but it’s inaccurate to say they are free of refined sugar. The chocolate you used has plenty of refined sugar. Furthermore coconut sugar is just refined as any other; it may not be “white” sugar but it’s still sugar. You might want to be more specific. Other than that it looks pretty yummy.
you’re right; i should have specified! i meant no added white sugar 🙂 sorry about that and thank you for pointing it out to me. xoxo
Just wondering what kind of almond butter you use, I’m usually partial to Barney Butter, but looking for suggestions!
i used maranatha for those, but i also love justin’s and nuttzo (peanut-free is my fave)
I want that. Right now. At 8:30am 🙂
did you do it? 😉
ha! No 🙂 I was at work. This weekend for sure though!
Love that blob of almond butter! Yum!