When it comes to delectable desserts, there’s a rivalry brewing on the high seas. Sorry, Disney Cruise Line, but Carnival Cruise Line’s Chocolate Melting Cake has claimed the crown for the best sweet treat at sea.
To bring a touch of that indulgent sweet treat home, check out this Carnival Cruise Line Warm Chocolate Melting Cake recipe. It is the most popular dessert on the cruise! But, now you don’t have to hit the high seas to indulge in this decadent chocolate melting cake at home.
Carnival’s famous melting chocolate cake is the most popular dessert on a Carnival Cruise. The rich, chocolate cake has a warm, pudding-like chocolate center that is to die for! If you don’t believe me, see all the rave reviews from our readers in the comments below.
On a Carnival cruise, I always order this decadent dessert. It is served in individual greased ramekins that are the perfect size for one serving. Our chocolate cake recipe tastes just like the original recipe (because it IS the original recipe!) but you can make it in the comfort of your own home. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dusting of powdered sugar or whipped topping.
Ingredients in Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake
This is one of the easiest chocolate desserts to make, and yet it looks and tastes super fancy! It resembles a lava cake, with a delicious melted chocolate mixture in the center. Here’s what you need:
- Dark chocolate chips – use any chocolate chips you like, but I find the dark or semi-sweet chocolate really enhances the luxurious flavor.
- Butter – melted butter, about cube and a half.
- Eggs -four large or five medium eggs. Make sure the egg mix is at room temperature before adding the next ingredients.
- Sugar – about ¾ cup white, granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract – not a lot: just ⅛ teaspoon
- Flour – a quarter cup
- Optional toppings: ice cream, whipped cream, powdered sugar, strawberries, caramel sauce, raspberries, other fresh berries, nuts.
How We Got Carnival Cruise Line’s Recipe
Our sister, Elise, just got back from a cruise to the Caribbean with her family. As soon as she stepped on land she called me and said, “We need to figure out the recipe for the Melting Cake they served on the ship. It was the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had!” Literally, moments later I was on the phone with GET AWAY TODAY telling them about my sister’s cruise. To my amazement they said, “We have the recipe for that cake! A couple of our cruise specialists got the recipe from their last cruise!” I am not even kidding, that same day I went and got the ingredients to make it. Let me tell you – it was fabulous! We are sharing this ACTUAL recipe with you! You can enjoy this delicious cake anytime!
Reader Reviews of this Recipe
“Holy cannoli, this is delicious. I’m hesitant to admit that I’ve made it three times this week… but you all deserve to know. I didn’t have ramekins so I put the batter in muffin tins and reduced the time to 10 minutes. I thought it’d make for better portion sizes but my husband and I ended up eating three at a time anyways. Thank you for this life changing recipe, but darn you for making me come face to face with my lack of self control. Five stars for sure.”
BEKAH
“Chocolate lovers! Hear me and make this recipe. You will not be sorry.”
JAYNE
“It is the best thing I ever had ever! It is so good I had it every night on my cruise recently. I highly recommend it! Sinfully delicious! Yum!”
CHARLENE
Baking Tips for Chocolate Melting Cake
Do not overbake! It is supposed to be spongy and cake-y on top but gooey and melty in the middle.
Check, check, check. After 14 minutes, be sure to keep checking it. You don’t want it to be cake-y all the way through, nor do you want it to be too runny.
Toothpick test. Use your good judgement for doneness because oven temps and elevations are different for everyone. If you are worried about it, keep doing the “toothpick test” every minute or so. If you put the toothpick all the way down to the bottom and the bottom half of the toothpick DOESN’T come out clean, you did it right.
Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake
Equipment
- Whisk
- 7 ounce Ramekins
- Sauce pan
Ingredients
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Melt chocolate chips and butter in a small saucepan. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and sugar together.
- Step 3: Add vanilla and flour. Whisk until flour is well mixed in.
- Step 4: Once the chocolate has cooled, combine it with the egg mixture.
- Step 5: Fill 4 (7-ounce) ramekins about three-fourths full with chocolate batter. Bake for 14 minutes.
- Step 6: Check to make sure the edges of the ramekin are cooked and the top of the cakes appear to be cooked as well.
- Step 7: Once cooled, sprinkle the cakes lightly with powdered sugar.
- Step 8: Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- You’ll need 4 (7-ounce) ramekins to make these, not a regular cake pan.
- Watch these babies closely. Do not overbake! The cake is supposed to be spongy and cakey on top but gooey and melty in the middle, the consistency of pudding, not too runny. If you put the toothpick all the way down to the bottom and the bottom half of the toothpick doesn’t come out clean, you did it right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this cake be made gluten free?
Yes! You can substitute gluten free all-purpose flour in this recipe. The rule of thumb I use is substitute the flour 1:1 and add one teaspoon of xanthan gum.
Can these cakes be made ahead of time?
We wouldn’t recommend it. They are much better when they are warm out of the oven.
What is a melting cake?
A melting cake or lava cake is a cake prepared in ramekins where the outer layer of the cake is baked, but the center of the cake is not set. Instead, it is a warm, hot fudge-like center.
As I mentioned earlier, I was on the phone with GET AWAY TODAY trying to book a last-minute vacation for my family and they told me this month (October) is National Cruise Month! That is why Get Away Today was so gracious to share this Carnival Cruise recipe with us. If you are looking for a fun place to go on vacation or if you are even just thinking about going on vacation, check out the deals they can get you!
By the way, can I just say I LOVED working with them on booking our vacation for next month? They definitely make you feel like a VIP no matter what your budget is! You can call them personally and they will answer any and all of your questions and give you EXPERT advice. They will help you find the perfect vacation for you and your budget. It makes me feel more special saying that I have a “travel agent” rather than saying “I found a deal online”. They can find better deals than what you can find on other travel sites and you can actually talk to a real person to structure your vacation. Call them. Tell them Favorite Family Recipes sent ya! And tell them how much you love this chocolate cake!
We also use GET AWAY TODAY for booking Disney Vacations and Universal Studios.
Interested in more Disney Recipes?
From a yummy Dole Whip recipe to a Yummy Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Recipe, these recipes will transport you to the Disney Parks and movies. Check out Disney foodie favorites on our recipe page!
This post originally appeared on Favorite Family Recipes.
