There’s an undeniable magic to a Carnival Cruise, a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and unforgettable culinary experiences. Among the many delights found on board, one dessert stands out as a true icon: the Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake. This rich, gooey, and utterly decadent treat is a nightly staple in the Main Dining Room, bringing a smile to countless passengers. For those of us who dream of bringing a piece of that cruise vacation home, we’re thrilled to share the authentic recipe for Carnival Cruise’s Warm Chocolate Melting Cake. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s a sweet souvenir, a taste of the high seas you can recreate in your own kitchen.
Recreating the Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake Experience at Home
Imagine the bustling galleys of a Carnival ship, where chefs prepare hundreds of these luscious warm chocolate lava cakes daily. The sheer scale of production is impressive, involving stacks of creamy butter and vast quantities of premium chocolate. Witnessing the dedication and precision that goes into crafting each individual cake is truly a spectacle. While we home bakers won’t be churning out desserts by the hundreds (and our waistlines will thank us!), this recipe allows you to capture that same incredible flavor and molten texture right in your own kitchen.
For those fortunate enough to embark on a Carnival Cruise, we highly recommend booking the Chef’s Table experience. It offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the ship’s culinary operations, providing an unparalleled insight into the meticulous preparation of their exquisite dishes, including the famed chocolate melting cake. It’s an immersive journey that elevates your understanding and appreciation of cruise cuisine, and the food itself is, without exaggeration, beyond delicious.
This streamlined, easy-to-follow recipe brings the luxurious taste of Carnival Cruises’ Warm Chocolate Melting Cake directly to your home. Prepare to indulge in a dessert that evokes cherished vacation memories, transforming an ordinary evening into an extraordinary culinary escape.
Key Ingredients for Your Cruise Ship Dessert
Crafting this iconic dessert requires only a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients. The magic truly lies in their combination and preparation. Below is a quick overview; detailed measurements and step-by-step instructions can be found in the printable recipe card at the end of this article.
- Dark Chocolate: Opt for a good quality dark chocolate (around 60-70% cacao) for a rich, intense flavor that isn’t overly sweet. Chocolate chips, melting wafers, or baking bars all work wonderfully. The higher quality the chocolate, the better the final taste.
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the cake. It contributes to the cake’s tender texture and rich mouthfeel.
- Eggs: Essential for structure and richness, eggs help create that delightful custard-like center that defines a melting cake. Using room temperature eggs will ensure they incorporate more smoothly into the batter.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps achieve a delicate crust on the exterior while keeping the interior moist.
- All-Purpose Flour: Just a small amount of flour is needed to give the cake structure without making it dense, allowing the molten center to remain fluid.
Optional Garnishes: Elevate your chocolate melting cake with fresh strawberries, toasted nuts, raspberries, a drizzle of caramel, or a dusting of powdered sugar. These additions provide a delightful contrast in texture and flavor.
Essential Equipment for Baking Success
You don’t need a professional kitchen to make this impressive dessert. A few basic tools will suffice:
- Whisk: Indispensable for combining the eggs and sugar, and for gently folding the wet and dry ingredients. A good whisk ensures a smooth, lump-free batter.
- Ramekins or Oven-Safe Molds: These individual ceramic dishes are perfect for creating single-serving melting cakes. Their depth and heat distribution contribute to the signature molten center. If you don’t have ramekins, any small, oven-safe ceramic or glass bowls can work, just adjust baking time as needed.
- Double Boiler or Microwave-Safe Bowl: For melting chocolate and butter gently, preventing scorching.
- Mixing Bowls: A couple of medium-sized bowls for preparing the batter.
Crafting Your Homemade Carnival Melting Chocolate Cake
While the complete, detailed instructions are provided in the printable recipe card below, here’s a simplified guide to help you envision the process of creating this luxurious dessert:
- Melt Chocolate and Butter: Begin by gently melting your dark chocolate and unsalted butter together. This can be done in a double boiler for precise control or carefully in a microwave, stirring frequently, until smooth and fully combined. Allow it to cool slightly.
- Prepare Egg and Sugar Mixture: In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk the eggs and sugar for a few minutes until the mixture is pale yellow and slightly thickened. This aeration is key to the cake’s texture. Then, gently fold in the all-purpose flour until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Combine Mixtures: Slowly add the slightly cooled chocolate and butter mixture to the egg and sugar mixture. Fold them together until the batter is uniform and smooth. Avoid overmixing, as this can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tougher cake.
- Fill and Bake: Generously grease your ramekins or molds. Pour the chocolate batter into each prepared ramekin, filling them about two-thirds full. Bake in a preheated oven until the edges are set but the center remains delightfully gooey and molten.
- Serve and Enjoy: Carefully remove the ramekins from the oven. For a classic presentation, you can invert the cake onto a serving plate or simply enjoy it straight from the ramekin. Garnish as desired and savor the rich, warm chocolate goodness.
Preparation and Storage Guidelines for Your Chocolate Melting Cake
This indulgent dessert is best enjoyed warm and fresh from the oven, when its center is perfectly molten. However, if you find yourself with leftovers or wish to prepare ahead, here are some helpful tips:
Make Ahead and Storage: It’s rare to have any of this delicious chocolate cake left, but should you find yourself with extra portions, they can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three days. To prepare in advance, you can make the batter and store it in the fridge for up to three days before baking. Just give it a gentle stir before pouring into ramekins.
Freezing and How to Freeze: While nothing quite compares to the immediate gooeyness of a freshly baked Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake, you can freeze extra portions for later enjoyment. Once the cakes have cooled completely, wrap each one snugly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. They will keep well for up to three months. Proper wrapping is key to preventing freezer burn and maintaining flavor.
How to Reheat: To reheat frozen cakes, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, you can warm them in a preheated oven at a moderate temperature (around 300°F/150°C) for 10-15 minutes, or in the microwave for a minute or two, depending on the number of servings. The goal is to warm through and re-liquefy the center without overcooking the cake.
Creative Recipe Variations to Explore
The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. Feel free to experiment with these variations to suit different dietary needs or taste preferences:
- Chocolate Substitutions: This recipe is wonderfully versatile. While dark chocolate is recommended for its depth, you can easily substitute it with semi-sweet chocolate chips, high-quality melting wafers, or your favorite baking chocolate. Each choice will subtly alter the sweetness and richness of the final product.
- Vegetarian Option: Our Copycat Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake is inherently vegetarian, making it a delightful dessert for anyone following a vegetarian diet without any modifications.
- Vegan Option: To make this cake vegan-friendly, you’ll need to replace the dairy and eggs. Use a high-quality vegan dark chocolate and a good plant-based butter substitute. For eggs, liquid egg substitutes or even aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) can work wonders, helping to maintain the cake’s desired silky and moist texture.
- Gluten-Free: For gluten-free diners, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a reliable gluten-free flour blend. Ensure your chosen blend contains xanthan gum, or add a quarter teaspoon per cup of flour to aid in binding. While pure chocolate is naturally gluten-free, always check labels of processed chocolate products to ensure they haven’t come into contact with gluten-containing ingredients if you have severe sensitivities.
- Adjusting Serving Size: The base recipe yields four generous servings, perfect for a small gathering or a decadent treat. You can easily scale the recipe up or down to match your desired yield. Just ensure you have enough ramekins or molds if you’re making a larger batch.
- Sugar-Free: For a sugar-free version, replace the white sugar with your preferred granulated sugar alternative. Additionally, select a sugar-free baking chocolate or cocoa powder to maintain the chocolate intensity without added sugars.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake
Achieving that iconic molten center and rich chocolate flavor is easier than you think with these expert tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: For optimal mixing and a smooth, emulsified batter, ensure your eggs are at room temperature. Similarly, allow your melted chocolate and butter mixture to cool slightly but remain warm enough to be liquid before combining with the eggs. This prevents the eggs from scrambling and ensures everything blends seamlessly.
- Mastering Chocolate Melting: You don’t need special equipment to melt chocolate. A simple double boiler method works best: place your chocolate and butter in a small heatproof bowl, then set that bowl over a saucepan containing an inch or two of simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Stir occasionally until smooth. Alternatively, microwave in short 20-30 second bursts, stirring well after each, until melted.
- The Ultimate Pairing: Vanilla Ice Cream: There’s a reason this classic pairing is served on Carnival Cruises! A scoop of cold, creamy vanilla ice cream melting into the warm, gooey chocolate cake creates an unparalleled sensory experience. The contrast in temperatures and textures is simply divine.
- Elevate the Flavor with Nutty Additions: For an extra layer of richness and flavor, try mixing a tablespoon or two of creamy peanut butter or hazelnut spread like Nutella into your cake batter before baking. This tip, often shared by cruise line chefs, adds a wonderful nutty dimension to the classic chocolate.
- Don’t Overmix: Once the flour is added, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten, leading to a tougher cake rather than a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Preheat Your Oven Thoroughly: A properly preheated oven is crucial for achieving the perfect molten center. Ensure your oven reaches the specified temperature before placing the ramekins inside.
- Know When It’s Done: The key to a melting cake is to bake it just enough so the edges are set and lightly firm, but the center still jiggles slightly when gently nudged. This indicates that irresistible molten interior.
Perfect Pairings for Your Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake
The Carnival Cruise Line Chocolate Melting Cake is a dessert that exudes elegance and comfort, making it a versatile choice for a variety of occasions. It’s an effortless way to bring the luxury of a cruise experience into your home, perfect for impressing dinner guests or sharing an intimate moment with your sweetie on a classy date night. After all, there’s always a reason to celebrate life and love with a delicious treat!
Savory Sides to Complement: While a dessert, if serving as part of a larger meal, consider sides that provide a savory contrast or cleansing palate effect. Fresh fruit salads, light savory tarts, or even small portions of vibrant vegetable dishes can balance the richness.
Here are some inspiration for pairing:
- Sugared Cranberries
- Hasselback Potatoes
- Caprese Pasta Salad
- Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
- Carrot Soufflé
- Crock Pot Stuffed Tomatoes
- CrockPot Shrimp & Grits
- Strawberry Bruschetta
- Shrimp Remoulade
- CrockPot Bacon Wrapped Potatoes
Main Dishes That Lead to Decadence: A rich chocolate cake calls for main courses that are equally satisfying but not overwhelmingly heavy. Consider elegant protein dishes that offer a savory, balanced prelude to the dessert.
Some main course ideas:
- CrockPot Port Braised Beef Short Ribs
- CrockPot Rosemary Pork
- Caprese Eggs Benedict
- Balsamic Chicken Skewers
- CrockPot Salisbury Steak
- CrockPot Beef Tips & Gravy
- Shrimp Linguini
- CrockPot Roast with Red Potatoes
- Grilled Shrimp with Avocado Butter
Other Delightful Desserts: While this cake could be the star, sometimes a dessert spread offers variety. Consider lighter, fruit-based desserts or contrasting flavors.
More dessert ideas:
- Hershey Pie
- Sweet & Salty Chocolate Dessert Bar
- Creme Brulee Cheesecake Bars
- Carrot Cake with Pineapple, Coconut & Port Wine
- CopyCat Olive Garden Lemon Cream Cake
- Strawberry Shortcake
- CrockPot Cherries Jubilee
- Apple Blackberry Fruit Tart
Perfect Beverage Pairings: A rich chocolate dessert is beautifully complemented by certain beverages. Consider a strong coffee, a sweet dessert wine, or a creative cocktail to elevate the experience.
Drinks to pair:
- Alchemy Bar Revved Up Mojito Martini
- Chocolate Cake Shot
- Chocolate Covered Cherry Shot
- Classic Grasshopper Drink
- Cranberry Mimosa
- Raspberry Pomegranate Lemonade Cocktail
- 40 Is the New 20 Martini Cocktail
- Martini Seduction
- Alchemist Sidecar
When to Indulge: Occasions for Your Melting Cake
The Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a statement. Its elegance and richness make it suitable for a variety of occasions, transforming any moment into a special celebration.
- Romantic Dinner Date Night: The molten chocolate center and luxurious taste make this an incredibly romantic dessert, perfect for a cozy evening with your loved one.
- Impressing Dinner Guests: Wow your friends and family with a dessert that looks sophisticated yet is surprisingly simple to make. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- Showcasing Your Favorite Cruise Dessert: Share the joy of your cruise memories by serving this iconic treat to those who might not have experienced it on a ship.
- Valentine’s Day: What could be more fitting for a day dedicated to love than a warm, heart-melting chocolate cake?
- Christmas and Holiday Gatherings: Its rich, comforting flavors make it a perfect addition to any festive holiday meal.
- Anytime You Crave a Taste of Vacation: You don’t need a special occasion to enjoy this cake. Sometimes, the best reason is simply to treat yourself to a delicious reminder of your favorite cruise.
More Great Carnival Cruise-Inspired Recipes
If you love recreating the cruise experience at home, be sure to explore our other fantastic Carnival Cruise Line recipes, from refreshing drinks to savory dishes!
- Restorative Basil Drop
- Alchemist Sidecar
- Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini
- Mocha Chocolate Getaway
- Carnival Cruise Tiramisu
Discover all the Carnival Cruise Drink Recipes we’ve shared, and bring the ship’s bar to your home!
Are you a fan of delicious recipes? Explore our extensive collection of copycat recipes, irresistible dessert recipes, and our convenient CrockPot Recipes.
For all our latest recipe posts and culinary inspiration, follow Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Carnival Cruise Warm Chocolate Melting Cake Recipe
Print
Rate
Ingredients
- 6 Ounce Dark Chocolate
- 6 Ounce Butter
- 4 Eggs
- 1.5 Ounce White Sugar
- 2 Ounce All Purpose Flour
Instructions
- Melt chocolate and butter
- Mix the eggs and sugar, whisk for a few minutes and then add in the flour
- Add the egg mix to the melted chocolate and mix together
- Pour the mix into a greased bowl/mold
- Bake in the oven at 390 degrees F for 14 minutes
Kitchen Tools
- Ramekin
Notes
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 513
Recipe originally shared on April 18, 2017. Updated January 2021.