Volcano Cake Question

[ekerr19]

While reading Roboat's review of the Zuiderdam, I posted an agreement with Roboat about not particularly caring for the Volcano cake as did another poster, Peggy Sue.

Sail posted that it can be either too dry or under cooked - I think ours was undercooked, it was pretty runny.

I'd like to give it another try, but if it is too runny again would it be acceptable to send it back and request another one? I know it seems kind of tacky, but I think if it's not cooked as it should be, isn't asking to have it replaced ok?

It's not a huge deal to me, but so many people rave about how wonderful it is - it would be nice to experience it as it should be. :)

[doone]

I would send it back. We had Volcano cake on the Rotterdam and when prepared properly, its spectacular. Ours was done perfect and I cannot wait to give it a try again. And now that I know that if its too runny or too dry its not done right, I'll send it back as well, if that happens.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

ekerr, I am not sure that Volcano cakes are not suppose to be a bit runny:confused: DH loves chocolate but does not care for Volcano Cakes, I like them OK but they are usually too rich. Lot's of place in Vegas serves Volcano cakes so I have had several times and most are usually runny. If you do not care for it I would definitely send back as far as if they can make it so it is not runny, I am not sure. Chances are that if it comes out that way then next would be the same. I would try another dessert.

ekerr, are you gone for 2 weeks? We may miss each other since I leave on the 13th.

[saltydog28]

ekerr-This is only my opinion, as I am not the chef doing the baking. But I think a volcano cake's center should be the consistency of a hot fudge sauce as oppossed to a chocolate syrup. If you feel that any baked item is improperly -undercooked, send it back. I don't think it is tacky. I think it has to do with health issues.
IMO
Pat.

[jhannah]

I've always expected the volcano cake to have a runny center. That's the "molten lava" of the cake. I agree that it should be more like hot fudge sauce and not syrup. The servings I've had have always been excellent ... and extremely rich! :cool:

[Peggy Sue]

On the zuiderdam, May 03 .. very runny .. consistency of syrup .. not fudge. Except for the top, there wasn't any "cake" to be found. We both tried a couple of spoonfuls..very, very rich .. but didn't do much for us.

I make a chocolate lava cake from Roy's (Hawaii) and it has cake exterior and a fudge center..it does run slightly when digging in with your spoon..but it fudgy..not like hersey's chocolate syrup.

I'll give it another try too .. Never thought to ask if what we received was cooked properly. We were stuffed from our meal anyway, and we were also somewhat disappointed in the entire evening. Service was horrible (ignored first 20 minutes..and getting ready to leave when someone finally noticed us) food was just so-so. But any place can have an off night, and I've heard a lot of raves since May 03..so we're certainly willing to give it another try!!

Now, palo's - alternative dining on Disney ($5. charge) makes a FANTASTIC chocolate lava cake. The entire meal at Palo's, based on our personal experiences, was heads and shoulders above the Pinnacle Grill.

Ekerr...now that we know how it should be cooked, I wouldn't hesitate to send it back..of course, not more than once. If it comes out the same again, I'd give up and go order a piece of that delicious chocolate cake they have from room service!! I agree with saltydog..if something is undercooked, it's probably not a wise thing to eat it. I know the one I make at home has quite a few eggs in the batter.

Peggy Sue

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Ekerr...now that we know how it should be cooked, I wouldn't hesitate to send it back..of course, not more than once. If it comes out the same again, I'd give up and go order a piece of that delicious chocolate cake they have from room service!! I agree with saltydog..if something is undercooked, it's probably not a wise thing to eat it. I know the one I make at home has quite a few eggs in the batter.

Peggy Sue
Peggy Sue, the chocolate cake you ordered from Room Service wasn't by chance their Signature Chocolate Cake? The only thin we have ordered from Room Service has been breakfest. If that is their Signature Chocolate Cake, Look Out:eek: DH will be ordering Room Service Daily and trying to find a way to package it to stuff in our suitcase.

I also have to agree we have only been to the Pinnacle once and that was April 2003 on the Zuirderdam and we had terrible service and was total ignored numerous things done for other tables that were not done for us. But.... we are willing/planning to give it a try again on the Ryndam.

[superstein61]

ekerr - i too did not find the volcano cake up to what others have raved about here. It was ok - but didn't come close to Roy's Volcano cake which I have had several times in Hawaii.

I personally believe it is overhyped on this board - which raises one's expectations too high

[Peggy Sue]

Peggy Sue, the chocolate cake you ordered from Room Service wasn't by chance their Signature Chocolate Cake? The only thin we have ordered from Room Service has been breakfest. If that is their Signature Chocolate Cake, Look Out:eek: DH will be ordering Room Service Daily and trying to find a way to package it to stuff in our suitcase.

I also have to agree we have only been to the Pinnacle once and that was April 2003 on the Zuirderdam and we had terrible service and was total ignored numerous things done for other tables that were not done for us. But.... we are willing/planning to give it a try again on the Ryndam.

LaffNVegas...I believe it is....you can order it any time. It's a very tall 2 layer chocolate cake with the most wonderful chocolate icing.

We found the Pinnacle on the Zuiderdam a stunning room, but wow was the service poor that evening. We both love rare beef..came out well done, we did return, and the next came out medium. At that point we ate it..but it wasn't that great. Sides were just so-so. On the other side of the coin we enjoyed one lunch and a couple of breakfasts served in the Pinnacle and the service as excellent..food came from the dining room. We found the food in the dining room were very good. So..we're looking forward to giving the Pinnacle another try..different ship, different staff, etc....bet it will be a positive experience this time!!

enjoy your cruise...and all that chocolate cake!!

Peggy Sue

Peggy Sue

[LAFFNVEGAS]

LaffNVegas...I believe it is....you can order it any time. It's a very tall 2 layer chocolate cake with the most wonderful chocolate icing.

We found the Pinnacle on the Zuiderdam a stunning room, but wow was the service poor that evening. We both love rare beef..came out well done, we did return, and the next came out medium. At that point we ate it..but it wasn't that great. Sides were just so-so. On the other side of the coin we enjoyed one lunch and a couple of breakfasts served in the Pinnacle and the service as excellent..food came from the dining room. We found the food in the dining room were very good. So..we're looking forward to giving the Pinnacle another try..different ship, different staff, etc....bet it will be a positive experience this time!!

enjoy your cruise...and all that chocolate cake!!

Peggy Sue

Peggy Sue
Peggy Sue, Thanks You just made my husband's Day. He can't wait to order the Chocolate Cake from Room Service. It does sound like it is the Signature Chocolate Cake. We are hoping that the Pinnacle will be much better this time. Unfortuately we can no longer go to the Pinnacle for Breakfest and Lunch and this will be our first Suite and we really wanted to try that:(
But I am sure everything will be wonderful.
Hope you have a wonderful cruise, since you only have 8 more days I am sure you are getting really excited. Hope the Pinnacle is fantastic this time.

[texkat]

The center of the Chocolate Volcano cake is liquid, and the consistency probably depends on the serving temperature.

To make the Volcano cake, you use a chocolate ganache mixture for the center. Melt chocolate and heavy cream together, then chill it and whip it. This should be a creamy and thick texture, like a truffle.

Pour chocolate cake batter into a small mold or a cupcake tin. Take a little golf-ball sized sized piece of your chilled chocolate ganache and gently press into the center of the chocolate cake batter.

As this bakes, the cake surrounds the melting chocolate ganache.

So the center is runny, but not underbaked. (Now I'm hungry! :D )