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Delightful Red Velvet Lava Cupcakes

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

Transform a box of cake mix into an indulgent dessert with these Red Velvet Lava Cupcakes. They’re stuffed with a smooth chocolate ganache that melts when warm, making them an easy yet fancy option for gatherings or treating yourself.
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Updated on Sat, 01 Mar 2025 13:08:11 GMT
Three cupcakes on a plate with chocolate drizzle and creamy icing. Pin it
Three cupcakes on a plate with chocolate drizzle and creamy icing. | cuisinegenial.com

Experience the perfect fusion of red velvet cake and molten chocolate in these irresistible lava cupcakes. Made with convenient cake mix and filled with rich chocolate ganache, each cupcake reveals a warm, flowing center when served - creating an elegant dessert that's surprisingly simple to prepare.

These cupcakes combine the classic appeal of red velvet with an indulgent molten chocolate center. The recipe streamlines the traditional lava cake process while delivering equally impressive results.

Key Ingredients

  • Box Red Velvet Cake Mix: Including called-for ingredients
  • Premium Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Chopped bars
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: For ganache filling
  • Eggs: As per mix instructions
  • Oil: As per mix instructions
  • Water: As per mix instructions
  • Confectioners' Sugar: For garnish
  • Paper Liners: Standard size

Preparation Instructions

  1. Create Ganache: Finely chop chocolate and place in heatproof bowl. Heat cream until bubbles form at edges, pour over chocolate. Let stand briefly, then stir until smooth. Refrigerate until firm, minimum 2 hours.
  2. Mix Batter: Combine cake mix with required ingredients per package directions. Place liners in muffin tin. Fill each liner halfway only.
  3. Add Centers: Roll chilled ganache into 1-tablespoon portions. Place ganache ball in center of each cupcake - do not press down.
  4. Bake Cupcakes: Place in preheated 350°F oven for 20-23 minutes. Check doneness by testing cake edges, avoiding center. Let cool briefly.
  5. Final Presentation: Transfer from pan, remove liners. Invert onto serving plates, dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve while warm.
A red velvet cupcake with white frosting and chocolate drizzle. Pin it
A red velvet cupcake with white frosting and chocolate drizzle. | cuisinegenial.com

Temperature is crucial for these cupcakes. The contrast between warm cake and melted center creates the signature lava effect.

Storage Guidelines

Ganache can be prepared 3 days ahead and refrigerated. Store finished cupcakes at room temperature for up to 2 days. For best results, serve fresh. Microwave briefly to restore molten centers. Ganache freezes well for one month.

Serving Suggestions

Serve heated for optimal flow. Place inverted on dessert plates without liners, finish with confectioners' sugar. Accompany with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream. Garnish with seasonal decorations or extra chocolate sauce for special occasions.

Red velvet cupcakes with chocolate frosting on a plate. Pin it
Red velvet cupcakes with chocolate frosting on a plate. | cuisinegenial.com

Recipe Variations

Consider using different cake mix bases - chocolate, vanilla, or spice cake varieties work beautifully. Experiment with filling options like white, dark, or flavored chocolate centers. The classic red velvet remains perfect for Valentine's Day and special events.

Recipe Summary

These Red Velvet Lava Cupcakes showcase how simple ingredients can create an extraordinary dessert. The combination of tender cake and flowing chocolate center delivers restaurant-quality results through straightforward preparation. Perfect for celebrations or whenever a special dessert is called for.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep these in advance?
Sure! Just pop them in the microwave before serving to warm up the molten centers.
→ Why don’t I fill the liners more?
The ganache filling makes the batter rise higher during baking.
→ Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Of course! Try any flavor you like with the chocolate centers.
→ How do I check if they’re ready?
Stick a toothpick into one of the sides—not the middle where the ganache is—and it should come out clean.
→ What’s the reason for serving them upside down?
It gives a striking look with the ganache flowing over the top.

Lava Red Velvet Cupcakes

Decadent red velvet cupcakes with rich molten ganache cores from a simple mix.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24 cupcakes)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Cupcakes

01 One 15-oz box of red velvet cake mix
02 Whatever the cake mix says you’ll need (like eggs, oil, and water)

→ Ganache Filling

03 8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, preferably baking chocolate
04 Half a cup of heavy cream

→ Topping

05 Powdered sugar to sprinkle on top

Instructions

Step 01

Pour the warmed-up cream over the chopped chocolate. Mix until you’ve got a smooth texture, then let it chill in the fridge for at least two hours until it firms up.

Step 02

Set your oven to 350°F and get some muffin tins ready with liners.

Step 03

Mix up the cake batter by following the instructions on the box. Fill the liners halfway with the batter.

Step 04

Roll firm ganache into tablespoon-sized balls. Pop one into the center of each cupcake.

Step 05

Bake the cupcakes for 20 to 23 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out clean from the edge. Let them cool down a bit while still in the pans.

Step 06

Remove the wrappers, flip the cupcakes upside-down, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and enjoy them while warm.

Notes

  1. You can heat these up again in the microwave for a few seconds
  2. Don’t put too much batter in the liners, or they’ll overflow

Tools You'll Need

  • Muffin pans
  • Cupcake wrappers
  • A scoop or spoon for cookie dough
  • A medium-sized mixing bowl

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy is included in this recipe
  • Recipe contains eggs
  • Has wheat as an ingredient

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 72
  • Total Fat: 5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 5 g
  • Protein: 1 g