Chocolate Lava Cookies

Are you a fan of surprises?

I most definitely am.

Well, as long as they’re good surprises. And especially if they’re surprises involving food!

This recipe holds the best surprise of them all: melted chocolate on the inside. You pick up the dark chocolate cookie and think: “Hm, this looks like it could be yummy.” So you try it. Yet, instead of a decadent chocolate cookie crunching between you’re teeth, you have molten chocolate lava spilling into your mouth. Can you say “heaven”?

How on earth is this baking miracle possible? You’ll have to read below to find out! 😉

And then, of course, go and try the recipe out for yourself to ensure I’m not just pulling your leg!

I first fell in love with molten lava desserts two summers ago while visiting Paris. It’s there that I tried my very first “Fondant au Chocolat,” or “Chocolate Lava Cake.” And let me tell you– it wasn’t the sight of the Eiffel Tower that changed my life forever. It was that first bite of the molten lava cake, when the chocolate oozed out onto my fork in a cascade so luxurious that I can only refer to it as “Food Porn.”

When I returned home my mind was made up: I had to create a healthy version of the chocolate lava cake that I could enjoy whenever I wanted, without the guilt that comes from splurging when you’re not actually on vacation! And so was born my very favorite Skinny Sweet Treat recipe… ever: The Dark Chocolate Lava Cake.

However, we don’t all have time to wait around while Lava Cakes are freezing then baking in the oven. So, instead I decided to take this recipe up a notch by combining it with a quick, easy chocolate cookie recipe! And as a result, I’ve created this recipe for cookies with all the lava texture and none of the extra waiting time!

And should I mention that they’re also gluten free, dairy free, and low in sugar?

If that’s not just the cherry on top!

Chocolate Lava Cookies

1 c gluten free baking mix
1/3 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
3 tbs stevia
3 tbs agave (or honey)
3 tbs melted coconut oil
2 oz chocolate bar

Add baking mix and cocoa powder to a large bowl and mix together. Add vanilla, egg, stevia, agave (or honey), and melted coconut oil and stir until completely combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and place in the freezer for 5 minutes (or the fridge for 20 minutes). Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet. Scoop a tablespoon of the mixture into the palm of your hand and roll into a ball. Press a 1/2 square of chocolate into the center of the ball. Roll in your hands into a ball-shape, completely encasing the chocolate square. Repeat with remaining batter and chocolate. Arrange 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 7-9 minutes. Remove and let cool for 3 minutes. Enjoy! (If not enjoying immediately, heat up cookies in the microwave one by one for 10-20 seconds to re-melt chocolate center. Store in a tupperware or cookie jar.)

Nutritional Information (from myfitnesspal.com)

(Yields a dozen cookies)