Carnival Cruise Warm Chocolate Melting Cake

Carnival Cruise’s Chocolate Melting Cake is DIVINE! The rich chocolate that leaves the center like molten lava. You can go on this delicious trip without leaving your house and using ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen!

I’ve been wanting to have this cake ever since I got home from the cruise ship! And now that my next cruise is a big ol’ TBD – I was so excited to make this for myself! (if you want to know about the food on the cruise – I’ve got you covered!)

🔍 COPYCAT SECRETS UNCOVERED!

Don’t miss these tips to be sure your Melting Cake is identical to Carnival Cruise’s:

• Don’t Over Bake
  • The part about this dessert that makes it so amazing is the gooey center. The problem that can occur is that there is a very small line between gooey and fully cooked. Don’t be afraid to set a timer for a minute or so and check until you find the sweet spot!
• Use Ramekins, not a Muffin Tin
  • Using ramekins is what gives you that classic, dome-shape. And it isn’t just for looks. It’ll also help the outside to cook faster than the inside and help you to get that gooey center!
• Serve Immediately
  • The longer that you let your dish set, the more time that they have to harden in the center. Make these right when you’re ready to eat them!

When I was on the Carnival Victory – I did the Chef’s Table and actually got to make this Warm Chocolate Melting Cake with one of the pastry chefs. That dinner – man – still thinking about it! The food on the ship was really great across the board – I loved it! (Update: I’ve sailed Norwegian & Celebrity since and Carnival still has the best food.)

Ingredients for Carnival Cruise Line Chocolate Melting Cake

This recipe is so easy, I couldn’t believe it when I found out what was in it – every ingredient is simple and already in my pantry. Here’s all that you’ll need for this amazing warm melting cake.

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate – you can use chocolate chips or “baking” chocolate – either works
• Butter – unsalted or salted butter works in this recipe – they told us unsalted but I love a touch of salt in my desserts
• Eggs – large eggs at room temperature work best
• Sugar – white sugar is all you need for this
• Flour – all purpose flour is good for this

How do you make Warm Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake? 

My favorite part about making this dish was how easy it was! Everybody in my group was shy (not me) and I jumped up to volunteer and we whipped it up in minutes. Plus – this makes an excellent date night dessert!!! Feels fancy!

• MELT the chocolate and butter in microwave at 30 seconds at a time and stir until melted (about 2 minutes) 
• IN A SEPARATE BOWL, mix eggs and sugar with a mixer on low for 1-2 minutes
• ADD flour and mix for another minute
• ADD the egg mix to the melted chocolate and mix
• POUR the batter in two greased ramekins
• SET ramekins in rimmed baking pan with 1/4” water in bottom of pan
• BAKE in the oven at 390°F for 23 minutes
• ALTERNATIVE: You can bake straight on the oven racks – no water bath – for 14 minutes. 
• PLUS UP: Everybody on the cruise said to ask for a spoonful of peanut butter on top when they served it. It melted in with the chocolate and was amazing!

Supplies Used

• Ramekins are the most important cooking tool for this recipe!
• Spatula – these are always helpful for when pouring batter into a ramekin!
• Hand Mixer – this hand mixer is so helpful for making sure your batter is mixed up quickly.

Chocolate Cake Recipe Variations

There are many different ways that you can top this desert tastes delicious! You can have this with:

• Powdered Sugar – I felt like powdered sugar was really enough – let the chocolate shine!
• Whipped Cream – I also have had it with whipped cream – so yummy!
• Peanut Butter – this was the word on the ship – everybody said “have you had it with peanut butter?”
• Ice Cream – ooooh pure vanilla bean ice cream is delicious on this dessert
• Fruit – like strawberries or raspberries – with the powdered sugar or whipped cream!!! Yes!

Tips, Tricks & FAQs

• How many does this serve? I cut the original recipe for Carnival Cruise’s Warm Chocolate Melting Cake down to make it for two. I mean – it’s such an easy dessert to make. Individual chocolate melting cakes are perfect for date night! but you could definitely double or triple if you’re making this for the whole fam!
• What kind of chocolate is in Warm Chocolate Melting Cake? The initial recipe called for Semi Sweet and Sweet Chocolate. I used a combination of Baking Chocolate – Bakers Brand has semi-sweet and German chocolate.
• Can I freeze the batter or the baked cakes? You can freeze the unbaked batter in the ramekins for up to a month, but it’s not recommended to freeze the baked cakes because then the molten center will set and it won’t become gooey again.
• Can I make this gluten-free? Yes, using a 1 to 1 gluten-free flour blend could be used instead without drastically changing the texture!

Be sure to check out all the amazing food I had on the cruise! And if you’re looking for other super simple desserts – I’ve got you covered there too!

More Delicious Desserts for Two

• Mini Blackberry Cobbler
• Mini Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding
• Mini Peach Cobbler