Domino's Lava Cake: What To Know Before Ordering

According to Domino's, pepperoni ranks as the chain's most popular pizza topping and while this style of pizza reigns supreme, many guests cannot help but finish off their meal with a sweet ending. Even if you have ice cream in the freezer, a warm chocolate cake with a gooey, molten center is just too tempting to resist. 

Although many quick-service pizza restaurants offer desserts, Domino's makes its mark by serving a chocolate lava cake. According to the chain's website, the specific menu item appears as the Chocolate Lava Crunch Cake and each order comes with two confections, per Dessert Report. This item is great for sharing — it can give some guests a sweet treat for now and another quick bite for later. With two lava cakes per order, there should even be less temptation to eat more than one. If you do not like sharing your treats with everyone around the table, the single serving size ensures that everyone's fork stays on their own plate.

While this item might be a Domino's menu staple, the exact origin of the chocolate lava cake is a hotly debated subject. With two iconic pastry chefs claiming the sweet genius, the discussion of the treat's origin can be as sticky as the center of the confection. According to Chocolate Noise, both Jacques Torres and Jean-Georges Vongerichten lay claim to this now-iconic dessert that features a chocolate sponge filled with melted chocolate sauce. Others claim the lava cake came about as the mistake of a cake getting slightly underbaked, while others insist it stems from a second-place Pillsbury bake-off contest recipe called the Tunnel of Fudge from 1966. Although recipes vary, many people cannot resist that sweet ending to a meal that offers the perfect juxtaposition in taste and texture.

Over the years, this iconic, dessert found in high-end restaurants has been added to numerous menus. While the chocolate and other ingredients used brings a big difference in flavor, the basic premise of this confection remains the same — there is nothing more satisfying than cutting into the cake's center and watching the chocolate lava flow.

For some people, chocolate is the perfect ending to any meal. From the depth of the flavor to the feeling of indulgence, there is nothing ordinary about a chocolate dessert. One of the reasons why some people choose a lava cake is for the layered textures. As seen in reviews for Domino's take on the product, the juxtaposition of crunchy and gooey mouthfeel is just one reason customers love ordering this item.

According to Brand Eating, the Domino's Lava Cake is "like a freshly baked Oreo cookie." It has a warm, thick, syrup center that can make anyone with a sweet tooth happy. The review captures the crisp, crunchy outside of the confection and the gooey, sweet center. Since it appears that the dessert is best enjoyed fresh and warm, some might wonder if a room temperature or cold lava cake is enjoyable. The jury is still out on that question — you have to try this product for yourself and see. 

Even though many people appreciate the convenience and taste of a pizza, many crave more than just a slice. When Domino's introduced dessert to its menu in 2001, the brand wanted to be more than just a pizza place (per Domino's).

The Crunchy Lava Cakes were introduced in 2009 and the response was overwhelmingly positive. This version of the dessert is similar to many popular versions of the lava cake, both in size and flavor. The Domino's version of the confection hit shelves with a crisp, crunchy texture on the outside. When split down the middle, the slightly underbaked center reveals its gooeyness. With a little dusting of powdered sugar on top, the bite is rich, decadent, and truly worth it. While most people will wait to enjoy this confection after dinner, it does make a case for eating dessert first.

For many people, adding dessert to a restaurant order can feel like an impulse buy. Just as you almost finish deciding what meal you want, those extras appear and can tempt anyone to make just one more additional purchase. That promise of a sweet ending can get anyone to splurge and those few extra dollars don't seem too over-the-top.

While prices may vary depending on location, the average cost of the Domino's Lava Cake is $4.99 (via Fast food Menu Prices). The price includes two confections per order. In addition, guests can add icing dipping cups to the order for an additional $0.50. Even though the lava cake is dusted with powdered sugar, a little drizzle of icing can be a nice contrast to the rich chocolate center. Anyone can be won over by a dessert like this at a price that can make your jaw drop.

According to Fast Food Nutrition, a single lava cake has 350 calories and 160 of those calories are from fat. The confection has 17 grams of fat and 31 grams of sugar. Additionally, the item contains 150 milligrams of sodium, 47 grams of carbohydrates, and 4 grams of protein. All things considered, you could do a lot worse when it comes to ordering a cake.

The word's still out on how many vitamins and minerals appear in this dessert. For guests who are looking to stay within a particular calorie count, they might be faced with a difficult decision — an extra slice of pizza or a dessert. Sometimes life is full of difficult choices, but either way, you can't go wrong with this unique lava cake. 

While the Domino's menu offers icing cups to add some sweetness to the pair of lava cakes, that little drizzle or dip isn't the only upgrade option on the table. A few extras can make this dessert even more enjoyable. A classic choice is to add a little fruit to the plate, per My Sequined Life. From a garnish of strawberries or raspberries, berries often work well with chocolate. The contrast of the flavors cuts through the richness of the chocolate.

According to Food Network, some people prefer a dollop of whipped cream served on the side. The airy whipped cream helps to balance the richness of the chocolate. For people who can't get enough chocolate, a little drizzle of additional chocolate sauce around the plate is always a good option, according to Eating Well. As Charles Schulz once said, "All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt," (via Goodreads).