Chocolate cake for two made in ramekins started out as a craving, as most good things do.
You'll be happy to know that I have fully dedicated myself to scaling down all the cake recipes into ramekins to serve two. This chocolate cake for two version was easy, and the lemon cake for two was super fun (because lemon is my favorite flavor!). I followed those with funfetti cake for two, and I'm just going to keep going. I hope you won't mind.
We all have those ramekins in our cabinet that we think are only good for creme brulee. While they are so very good for creme brulee, we can do better. Even though lemon creme brulee is my favorite, we can enjoy so many more desserts in ramekins...like small portions of cake!
If you were unfamiliar with my life calling, it's this: baking small desserts so you can bake and eat dessert every day. It's a sweet life, you should join me.
I should let you know that these cakes are good on their own, without frosting, but if you're going to take the extra minute to stir together the frosting, grab the sprinkles, too.
You should also know that there's absolutely no shame in eating both ramekins of chocolate cake for two yourself. When I was in the testing phase of this recipe, the first time I finally nailed it, I ate both ramekins.
Then, I strapped the baby into her stroller to walk it off, and let me tell you: chocolate cake will seriously fuel your work-out. I use a small amount of coffee in this cake (because coffee and chocolate love each other forever), and I like to think the caffeine gave me a work-out boost. Basically, I'm in the running to become a life coach: eat cake, work out, repeat.
I like to think these little chocolate cakes in ramekins will be there for you in your time of chocolate need.
A few notes before we get to the recipe:
-These are the exact ramekins I use.
-This mini baking sheet is helpful, as I don't recommend placing the ramekins directly on oven racks.
-This recipe uses just an egg yolk; be sure to check out my recipes to use up the leftover egg white
More Favorites from Dessert for Two
Chocolate Cake (for two)
Small chocolate cake for two people baked in two ramekins.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 (heaping) tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- pinch of salt
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons neutral oil
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon warm coffee (or water)
For the frosting:
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 (heaping) tablespoon cocoa powder
- milk (or coffee), as needed
- sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- First, spray 2 6-ounce ramekins very well with cooking spray, and set them on a mini baking sheet.
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and pinch of salt. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, milk, oil, vanilla, and coffee (or water).
- Add the dry ingredients in two batches to the wet ingredients, and stir gently to combine.
- Divide the mixture between the two ramekins.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- While the cakes cool, make the frosting: whisk together all ingredients, adding more coffee or milk to thin it out to a pourable consistency. Sprinkles!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 415Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 196mgSodium: 315mgCarbohydrates: 63gFiber: 1gSugar: 40gProtein: 12g
Anika says
Can I make this without egg? Thanks!
Christina Lane says
No, search for my vegan chocolate cake recipe instead.
Steffi says
These are perfect! I added a small handful of chocolate chips, because why not? I'll definitely be making these again!
Katherine Cabrera says
This very good and easy to make. Followed the instructions minus using heaping spoons and just using direct measures. My hubby is not a chocolate cake fan and I knew it couldn’t be too crazy for him to be able to eat. Regardless it was very koi’s and very tasty. Definitely saving this website. I wanted a cake not on a mug I can’t stand that consistency so I was happy when I found this one. Give it a try you won’t be disappointed.
HT says
Just found your site, I love it. Quick question, I made these and mine was on the dry side. Does that mean I used too much flour or needed to add more liquid? Thanks!
Alessandra says
We made these cakes for dessert and they were so yummy!!! So easy to make and doesn’t take much time at all.
Anthony says
Hi.
I'm British, so maybe that's why I don't know what "neutral oil" is
Can I use coconut oil or something else?
Also what's a substitute for baking powder (which I haven't been able to get for 2 months due to covid)
Looking forward to your reply can't wait to try this
Christina Lane says
Neutral oil is any oil without flavor. Like, canola oil, vegetable oil, grapeseed oil. Coconut oil has a strong flavor and is also firm at room temperature. I don't recommend it.
I'm sorry about the lack of baking powder! My pantry is also lacking a few vital items. I'm so sad!
Leni says
I doubled the recipe and used a whole egg. Halfway through I realised it was an oven recipe and not a microwave one. I wasn't going to throw it away and nor was I (or my family) planning on waiting for the oven to heat up, so I divided the mixture over 5 ramekins(because there are 5 of us, obviously, and not because I wanted 2! ;)), and microwaved them for 90 seconds each. Our microwave is 700W. Perfectly cooked and very very chocolately. Delish!
Christina Lane says
Well that is an amazing happy ending! :) I'm glad it worked out for you! Thanks for sharing!
Nargis says
This sounds delicious! Can I bake this in a 6inch pan instead? I don’t have ramekins :/
Christina Lane says
No, try this recipe instead: https://www.dessertfortwo.com/mini-chocolate-cake/
Catherine says
Just made this. It was soo good! This recipe is a keeper. The cake was chocolatey, moist, and yummy. I used warm water instead of coffee. The cake didn’t need the frosting in my opinion. Thanks for sharing!
Alyssa says
Hi Christina! Finally made this today and it was amazing! Whenever I watch the movie Chocolat I get an itch to bake or eat something chocolate. And this recipe is just perfect to satisfy a craving. I will be trying your other recipe's soon.
Hannah Marie Brown says
This has become one of our go-to's when we're craving dessert! I've made them at least 5 times during the pandemic so far. I always grew up making cakes out of a box, so it feels super fun and homemade to make these little beauties from scratch!