Strawberry Lava Mini Cakes
Looking for a dessert that’s easy to make, delightfully sweet, and perfectly portioned? These Mini Strawberry Runny Cakes fit the bill. Each petite cake has a tender, buttery crumb with a warm, gooey strawberry jam center that flows when sliced. Perfect for tea parties, family gatherings, or a cozy after-dinner treat, this recipe walks you through every step to get the perfect results.
🍓 Mini Strawberry Runny Cakes
Yields ~12 mini cakes
Ingredients
| Category | Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | All-purpose flour | 250 g (2 cups / 8.8 oz) | Base structure |
| Baking powder | 1 tsp | Helps cakes rise | |
| Salt | ½ tsp | Balances flavor | |
| Wet | Unsalted butter, room temp | 250 g (1 cup + 3 tbsp / 8.8 oz) | Richness, soft crumb |
| White granulated sugar | 250 g (1 cup + 3 tbsp / 8.8 oz) | Sweetness, moisture | |
| Eggs | 5 large, room temp | Structure, tender texture | |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp | Flavor enhancer | |
| Filling | Strawberry jam | As needed | Gooey center |
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep Molds
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease mini cake molds or a mini muffin pan with butter, dust lightly with flour, and tap out the excess.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar
- Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale, fluffy, and light (3–4 minutes).
- Scrape down the sides as needed.
Step 3: Add Eggs & Vanilla
- Reduce mixer to medium-low.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in vanilla extract. (Mixture may appear slightly curdled—this is normal and will smooth once flour is added.)
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually mix into the wet ingredients on low speed until smooth. Avoid overmixing.
Step 5: Fill Molds & Add Jam
- Spoon batter halfway into each mold.
- Place 1 tsp of strawberry jam in the center.
- Cover with remaining batter, enclosing the jam, and smooth tops gently.
Step 6: Bake
- Bake 18–22 minutes, until tops are golden and a toothpick inserted near the edge (avoiding the jam) comes out clean.
- Let cakes rest in molds for 5 minutes before removing.
Step 7: Serve Warm
- Carefully unmold the mini cakes.
- Serve warm for the best gooey center.
- Optional: dust with powdered sugar or serve with vanilla ice cream for an extra special touch.
✨ These mini cakes are soft, buttery, and bursting with sweet strawberry goodness—simple to make but guaranteed to impress.
