I have always had a thing for bundt cakes, especially the ones with another flavor wrapped inside. I can remember the chocolate bundt cake with coconut running through the center. However, out of all the flavors the tunnel of fudge is my favorite. It is a great one to go to if you are really looking for a chocolate fix.
This one is different from the traditional since it has nuts. Also, I could not resist using the dutch cocoa brand Cacao Barry. I have read a lot about it and like it much more than the typical grocery store brands. It has an dark amber color and is richer in flavor than other brands I have tried.
Tunnel of Fudge Bundt Cake
adapted from Serious Eats
Ingredients
5 eggs, room temp
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup boiling water
1 1/4 cup or 2 1/2 sticks of butter, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
2 cups flour
2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder, dutch processed
2 oz or 1/4 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate or chocolate chips
2 cups finely chopped pecans or walnuts
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt 1 tbs of butter and brush the interior of a 12 cup bundt pan, making sure are areas are covered. Then dust with 1 tbs cocoa powder.
Sift flour, cocoa and salt into a medium size bowl. Whisk in powdered sugar and nuts. Set bowl aside. Place chopped chocolate in a bowl and pour boiling water over it. Let sit for 2 minutes and then stir until all chocolate is melted and consistency is smooth.
Then fill the bowl of a stand mixer with the butter, vanilla extract, light brown sugar and granulated sugar. Cream together until light and fluffy. Add each egg, one at a time, and beat for 30 seconds. Pour in the melted chocolate mix and blend until no dark streaks remain.
Remove bowl from stand mixer and fold in the dry cocoa/flour mixture. Once all the dry ingredients are incorporated into the batter, fill the prepared bundt pan with the batter. Smooth the top and place in oven to bake.
Cake is done when top springs back lightly when touched and cake starts pulling away from the sides of the pan. This should take about 45 minutes. Once finished baking, place on rack to cool for 20 minutes. Once the 20 minutes has expired, invert the cake onto cooling rack.
Cake will take about 2 hours to completely cool.
**LAST YEAR: Lower East Side Nut Cake**