Lava Donut — molten-centred chocolate doughnut
Lava doughnuts are a contemporary American invention: filled doughnuts with a molten dark chocolate or peanut butter centre — a structural cross between a doughnut and a molten chocolate cake. They are sold from speciality donut shops and at state fairs.
i. Origin & history
Lava doughnuts emerged in the 2010s as part of the wider American gourmet-doughnut boom that produced Voodoo, Doughnut Plant, and other specialty doughnut shops. The lava centre is the structural innovation.
ii. Ingredients
Makes 12 servings · scroll the side panel to adjust
- 500 g strong flour
- 60 g sugar
- 7 g instant yeast
- Pinch salt
- 200 ml warm milk
- 2 eggs
- 60 g unsalted butter, soft
- 200 g dark chocolate ganache (frozen into small balls)
- 1 litre oil for frying
- 100 g icing sugar (glaze)
- 2 tbsp milk
iii. Method
- Freeze small ganache balls.
- Make dough; prove 60 min. Roll out 1 cm thick. Cut large rounds.
- Place a frozen ganache ball on each round; gather dough up around to enclose; pinch closed.
- Prove 30 min. Fry at 170 °C for 90 sec per side.
- Drain. Mix icing sugar with milk; glaze. Eat warm — the centre is molten.
iv. Tips & common mistakes
- Use the freshest ingredients you can. The recipe relies on them.
- Read the method through first. Several steps must be ready in advance.
- Season patiently. Sweetness and salt are tuned at the end, not the start.
v. Variations
Peanut butter lava doughnut. Salted caramel lava doughnut. Matcha lava doughnut uses matcha-white-chocolate ganache.
vi. Common questions
What is lava donut?
Lava Donut is molten-centred chocolate doughnut, from north american cuisine. They are sold from speciality donut shops and at state fairs
Where is lava donut from?
Lava Donut is from the north american dessert tradition; the recipe and history are detailed above.
How long does lava donut keep?
See the storage note in the Quick facts panel: Eat warm.