The Perfect Molten Dulce de Leche Cakes Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Molten dulce de leche cakes spark pure dessert magic with their irresistible chocolate-caramel cores.

Sweet secrets hide inside these delectable individual treats that melt magnificently.

Rich and decadent, each cake promises an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Chocolate enthusiasts will fall in love with the gooey center that erupts like liquid gold.

Professional pastry techniques blend seamlessly to create these stunning personal-sized delights.

Small ramekins become portals to an indulgent experience that feels both elegant and playful.

Prepare to transform an ordinary evening into an extraordinary celebration of pure deliciousness.

Why Molten Dulce De Leche Cakes Are A Rich Treat

• Surprise Inside Treat: Discover a hidden pocket of gooey dulce de leche that bursts with rich caramel flavor when you dig into these individual cakes.
• Minimal Skill Required: Perfect for home bakers with basic mixing skills, this recipe guides you through simple steps to create an impressive dessert that looks professionally made.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare these decadent cakes in under an hour, making them ideal for spontaneous gatherings, dinner parties, or when you want to wow friends and family with a spectacular dessert.
• Versatile Indulgence: Adaptable for various occasions, from casual weekend treats to elegant dinner finales, these molten cakes bring a touch of luxury to any meal without complicated techniques.

What You’ll Need For Molten Dulce De Leche Cakes

• All-Purpose Flour: A soft and fine powder that provides structure to the delicate cake.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Vanilla Extract: A fragrant ingredient that adds depth and warmth to the cake's flavor profile.

• Butter: A rich and creamy ingredient that contributes to the cake's smooth and tender texture.
• Sugar: A sweet component that helps create a golden, caramelized exterior.
• Eggs: Binding agents that provide structure and richness to the cake batter.
• Heavy Cream: A luxurious liquid that helps create a smooth and silky dulce de leche filling.

• Dulce de Leche: A sweet, caramel-like sauce that creates a molten center with rich, creamy flavor.
• Powdered Sugar, Chocolate Shavings, Salt: Finishing touches that enhance the cake's visual appeal and flavor complexity.

How To Make Molten Dulce De Leche Cakes For Two

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grab individual ramekins or small cake molds and generously coat their insides with butter to ensure easy cake removal.

Step 2: Create Cake Base

In a mixing bowl, whip butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This creates a smooth foundation for your delectable dessert.

Step 3: Add Eggs

Crack eggs into the butter mixture one at a time. Mix thoroughly after each egg to create a uniform and silky batter.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

Sift flour and baking powder into a separate bowl. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix and maintain the cake’s delicate texture.

Step 5: Enhance Flavor

Pour in vanilla extract and blend until the batter becomes completely smooth and well-combined.

Step 6: Prepare Dulce de Leche Filling

Whisk dulce de leche and heavy cream together until you achieve a perfectly smooth and pourable consistency.

Step 7: Layer the Cakes

• Ramekins
• Cake batter
• Dulce de leche mixture

Fill each ramekin halfway with cake batter. Carefully spoon a dollop of dulce de leche mixture into the center of each ramekin.

Step 8: Complete Cake Assembly

Cover the dulce de leche filling completely with remaining cake batter, ensuring the filling is fully enclosed.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Place ramekins in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes. Look for golden cake tops and a clean toothpick when inserted near the edge.

Step 10: Cool and Release

Let the cakes rest for 5 minutes. Gently invert each cake onto serving plates.

Step 11: Final Decorative Touch

Dust the warm cakes with powdered sugar and sprinkle delicate chocolate shavings on top.

Step 12: Add Flavor Enhancer

Finish with a tiny pinch of salt to elevate the caramel and chocolate notes.

Step 13: Serve Immediately

Bring these luscious cakes to the table right away, ensuring the dulce de leche center remains wonderfully molten and irresistibly gooey.

Pro Tips For Molten Dulce De Leche Cakes

• Select Ramekin Size Wisely: Choose 4-6 ounce ramekins for perfect individual portions that cook evenly and create beautiful presentation.
• Prevent Filling Leakage: Chill dulce de leche mixture briefly before adding to cake batter to help maintain its center position during baking.
• Enhance Flavor Balance: Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the finished cakes to elevate the caramel and chocolate notes dramatically.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and cream are at room temperature for smoother batter and more consistent cake texture.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Insert toothpick near cake edges, not center, to accurately gauge baking completion without disrupting the molten filling.

Tasty Styles Of Molten Dulce De Leche Cakes

• Chocolate Caramel Core: Replace dulce de leche with rich chocolate ganache, creating a decadent molten center that oozes when sliced.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Mix chopped pecans or almonds into the batter and sprinkle crushed nuts on top for added texture and warmth.
• Espresso Dulce Swirl: Blend strong espresso into the dulce de leche mixture, introducing a deep coffee undertone that complements the sweet caramel notes.
• Tropical Coconut Fusion: Incorporate shredded coconut into the cake batter and top with toasted coconut flakes for a Caribbean-inspired version.

Pairing Ideas For Molten Dulce De Leche Cakes

• Pair with Rich Espresso Martini: Complement the cake's sweet caramel notes with a bold espresso martini that balances the dessert's richness and adds a sophisticated coffee kick.
• Enhance with Aged Rum Pairing: Select a smooth, dark aged rum with subtle vanilla and oak undertones to mirror the caramel depth and create a luxurious flavor harmony.
• Match with Salted Caramel Ice Cream: Top the warm molten cake with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream, creating a temperature contrast and intensifying the dessert's creamy, sweet profile.
• Recommend Cinnamon-Spiced Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied red wine with subtle cinnamon hints to cut through the cake's sweetness and provide a warming, complex drinking experience.

Best Way To Store Molten Dulce De Leche Cakes

• Store cooled cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap each cake individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Place completely cooled cakes in freezer-safe containers, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently in the microwave or oven.
• Keep unfilled or uncooked batter-based cakes at room temperature for 1-2 days in a sealed container. Ensure the area is cool and dry to prevent moisture buildup.
• Reheat refrigerated or frozen cakes for 15-20 seconds in the microwave to restore the molten center.

Molten Dulce De Leche Cake Questions Answered

• What is dulce de leche?

A creamy caramel-like sauce made by slowly heating sweetened milk until it transforms into a rich, golden-brown spread popular in Latin American cuisine.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring all other ingredients remain the same for a similar texture and taste.

• Why do I need to add salt at the end?

Salt helps intensify the sweetness of the dulce de leche and chocolate, creating a more balanced and complex flavor profile in the dessert.

• How difficult is this recipe for home bakers?

This molten cake recipe is moderately easy, requiring basic baking skills like mixing, folding, and understanding oven temperatures, making it achievable for intermediate home bakers.

Molten Dulce de Leche Cakes Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 33-37 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Molten dulce de leche cakes bring irresistible Mexican dessert magic to your table with silky caramel centers that ooze pure indulgence. Sweet chocolate edges and creamy centers make these individual treats a delightful finale for any special meal you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Cake Batter:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 0.25 cup unsalted butter
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract

Dulce de Leche Filling:

• 0.75 cup dulce de leche
• 2 tbsp heavy cream

Garnish and Topping:

• 0.25 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp chocolate shavings
• 1 pinch salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease individual ramekins or small cake molds with butter to prevent sticking.
2. Cream together butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cake batter.
3. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure a uniform texture.
4. Sift flour and baking powder together, then gently fold into the wet mixture, avoiding overmixing to maintain a delicate cake structure.
5. Stir in vanilla extract, blending until the batter becomes silky and well-combined.
6. Whisk heavy cream into dulce de leche until achieving a smooth, pourable consistency for the cake filling.
7. Fill each ramekin halfway with cake batter, then carefully spoon a dollop of dulce de leche mixture into the center.
8. Cover the dulce de leche with remaining cake batter, ensuring the filling is completely enclosed.
9. Bake for 18-22 minutes until the cake tops are golden and a toothpick inserted near the edge comes out clean.
10. Allow cakes to cool for 5 minutes, then gently invert onto serving plates.
11. Dust with powdered sugar and sprinkle chocolate shavings over the warm cakes.
12. Finish with a tiny pinch of salt to enhance the caramel and chocolate flavors.
13. Serve immediately while the dulce de leche center remains delightfully molten and gooey.

Notes

• Choose ramekins with straight sides for a cleaner cake presentation and easier removal.
• Check dulce de leche consistency before adding to ensure smooth, pourable texture that won’t sink into cake batter.
• Refrigerate ramekins briefly after filling to help maintain distinct layers during baking.
• Customize recipe by substituting gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly version without compromising rich, decadent flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Latin American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg