Cruise travelers are happy to celebrate National Chocolate Cake Day – January 27 – with the deliciously decadent melting chocolate cake that is so popular on Carnival Cruise Line. But even if you’re not on a Carnival cruise, you can still enjoy this treat today, thanks to Chef Russel Gomes from the Carnival Kitchen aboard Mardi Gras, who has shared the secrets behind this phenomenal dessert.
Carnival’s Famous Melting Chocolate Cake Recipe
Carnival’s melting chocolate cake is surprisingly easy to make with just a few ingredients. Because the cake is intended to have that ooey-gooey center, the recipe uses less flour than a traditional cake.
“It is the perfect way to top off any meal. It’s a classic dessert and loved by everyone.” said Gomes. “Even a novice baker can make this delicious cake!”
Ingredients:
Note – The recipe below yields four servings.
- 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
- 3 ounces sweet (milk) chocolate
- 6 ounces unsalted butter, melted
- 4 eggs (room temperature)
- 3 ounces granulated sugar
- 2 ounces all-purpose flour
- Powdered sugar (optional – for serving)
To make your chocolate melting cake…
- Whisk the eggs in a large bowl until uniform.
- Add the sugar to the eggs, whisking gently until combined.
- Add the flour to the sugar/egg mixture, whisking in carefully until there are no lumps. Set aside.
- Slowly melt all chocolate, and while warm, add the melted butter, stirring carefully to blend.
- Add the warm chocolate/butter mixture to the eggs, whisking constantly.
- Pour the mix into greased ramekins, baking-safe cups, or soufflé dishes until 3/4 full.
- Place the filled cups onto a water bath tray (water should completely cover the bottom of the tray).
- Bake in an oven at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- Serve while warm, and just before serving, sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.
Tips for the Perfect Melting Chocolate Cake
While Carnival’s melting chocolate cake is easy for anyone to create, some extra tips can make it extra delicious. It is important to use a kitchen scale to measure the ingredients precisely, or else the recipe proportions may be off and the texture will not be correct. It is also critical to use good quality chocolate for the best flavor and texture, as less expensive chocolate may not melt as smoothly and will not have as rich a flavor.
If you prefer your melting cake a bit more on the runny side, shorten the baking time by 2-3 minutes. Similarly, if you prefer a denser cake with less of a liquid center, extend the baking time for 2-3 minutes.
Serving in Style
Carnival traditionally serves the melting chocolate cake lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The ice cream is often topped with a crisp chocolate shard.
To give your melting cake some personalized flair, consider alternative serving options. Instead of sprinkling the cake with powdered sugar, try topping it with a light dusting of cocoa powder or cinnamon, or for a bit of crisp contrast, a gentle sprinkling of sea salt.
For garnish, add a pop of color to the cake by adding a side of fresh berries instead of the ice cream, or gently place a mint leaf on top of the cake. A curl of orange or lemon peel or even a sugared flower can be other elegant garnishes.
Carnival Cruise Line serves more than four million melting chocolate cakes annually. Now, you can enjoy this decadent treat right at home, no matter when your next Carnival cruise may be planned!
