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Wednesday 4 March 2009

Tunnel of Fudge Cake Baked from Scratch

Tunnel of Fudge Cake Baked from Scratch

Ella Helfrich won second place the Pillsbury Bake-off in America 1966 with her Tunnel of Fudge Cake. However, this recipe is not Ella Helfrich's but comes from a great baking book called The America’s Test Kitchen Family Baking Book. If you enjoy baking this really is a wonderful book to have, it consists of more than 700 kitchen-tested recipes, 800 step by step photos and at a glance tutorials. Even though I would hope to class myself as a seasoned baker, one never stops learning, and I feel this book is a little treasure of information. Pease note this book uses American cup sizes and Imperial measures.


Top View oozing with chocolate glaze


I’ve had a passion to bake this great American cake for quite awhile now and this cake certainly lived up to its name and was everything I thought it would be on my first initial taste. Let me explain to you, by being a self confessed chocoholic this cake certainly hits that craving spot for chocolate! It has a scrumptious tunnel of fudge running through the centre much akin to the gooey centre of a brownie, “blissful”; the outside of the cake has a moist sponge and the crème de la crème, a gorgeous chocolate glaze which stays a fabulous gooeyness. Oh my; this certainly is one very, very gorgeous cake – I salute you Ella Helfrich for your invention of such a magnificent cake!!!


Showing the gorgeous chocolate glaze


A scrumptious tunnel of fudge running through the centre


Tunnel of Fudge Cake

Slightly adapted from The America’s Test Kitchen Family Baking Book.

Serves 12

Ingredients
115 ml (4 fl oz) boiling water
50g (2 oz) dark (bittersweet) chocolate 70% cocoa solids
275g (10 oz) plain (all-purpose) flour
225g (8 oz) pecans or walnuts, chopped finely
225g (8 oz) icing (confectioner’s) sugar
55g (2½ oz) cocoa (Dutch-processed) powder
1 tsp salt
275g (10 oz) unsalted butter, cut into chunks and softened
200g (7 oz) granulated sugar
155g (5¼ oz) light brown sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
5 large eggs, at room temperature
For The Chocolate Glaze
100g (4 oz) dark (bittersweet) chocolate 70% cocoa solids
75g (3 oz) double (heavy) cream, hot
2 tbsp golden (light corn) syrup
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

You will need a 12 cup Bundt pan prepared by mixing 25g (1 oz) melted butter and 25g (1 oz) cocoa powder and then brushing thoroughly with this mixture inside the pan. For me it worked better than any spray or greasing then dusting with cocoa powder and the cake came out a treat.

Method

Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position and preheat the oven to 180°C/fan oven 160°C/350°F/Gas mark 4.

Add the chopped chocolate to the boiling water and whisk through until melted and smooth. Leave aside for later. In a bowl, mix the flour, nuts, icing sugar, cocoa powder and salt together. In a stand mixer or a using a bowl and electric hand mixer, beat the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time until all combined then beat in the chocolate mixture. Reduce the mixer speed to lower and slowly beat in the flour until just incorporated. Scrape the mixture into the prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top. Tap the pan gently on the work top to settle the mixture.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, until the edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan and the top feels springy when pressed with a finger. The skewer test will not work on this cake to test if ready as the centre remains gooey. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to completely cool for about 2 hours.

To make the chocolate glaze; whisk all of the glaze ingredients together in a bowl until smooth and then leave it to cool for about 25 minutes and it will thicken slightly. Pour or drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake letting it drip down the sides. Let the glaze set again for about 25 minutes before serving.

Lastly cut a slice, sit back, eat and take yourself on a wonderful experience of chocolate paradise!


52 comments:

Finla said...

I know what i am going to make for this sunday coffe this fabulous and delicious looking cake.
Does the glace fully set or is it still a bit soft.

I love books with step by step instructions.
I have noted the book so in time i can buy them as i just orderes a baking book from DDorieen Greenspan two days back.

Maria♥ said...

Rosie, what you trying to do to me??? arrggghhh I'm supposed to be losing weight!! OMG this is one hell of a cake, look at that fudgy gooey centre, drool!! It's a good thing I don't live near cos this cake would be worth breaking the diet for..hehehe.

Maria
x

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home said...

Wow! How yummy looking is that!

AK Mom said...

Oh Yum, Rosie! This cake looks fantastic!
I thumb through The America's Test Kitchen Family Baking book every time I visit my local bookstore.
With this recipe, I think you've finally convinced me to actually purchase the book the next time I'm in the bookstore. :)

Maggie said...

That is a beautiful cake Rosie. America's Test Kitchen do such wonderful recipes.

Did this book come in grammes/pounds/ounces etc?

Anne said...

I just love the name of this cake, its sounds like its going to take you on a magical chocolatey journey!

Looks really delicious!
x

♥Rosie♥ said...

Hi H.C. the glaze doesn’t set hard it still remains slightly gooey – you’ve made my day and I hope you enjoy baking this as much as I did. You NEED this book HC. ;0)

Hi Maria, oh mate if you lived next door I’d be swapping bakes with you ;0) This is must bake cake and if you haven’t got this book you NEED it :0)

Hi Jerri, it was a great cake to bake and tastes very good.

Hi Aka Mom, I just adore this book so much info and lots of ideas not forgetting those beautiful recipes – you really need to treat yourself to this book :0)

Hi M, I agree the book comes in American cup sizes and Imperial measures lbs and oz’s.

Hi Anne thank you sweetie for me tasting this cake for the first time was a magical chocolatey journey!

Many thanks for calling by and as always lovely to *see* you here :0)

Rosie x

La Bella Cooks said...

My mom used to make this cake for my brother and I on the first day back to school and we could not wait to get home to have some. So yummy! Yours looks gorgeous, Rosie!

Elyse said...

Oh, man! I feel like this cake has the potential to complete me. How deliciously decadent it looks. Anything with a fudge center is good by me. I only wish I could come over and share a slice!

Maria♥ said...

Rosie, guess what? just ordered this book!! I couldn't resist and you know how it is with cookbooks and me ;o)

Hugs
Maria
x

♥Rosie♥ said...

Elyse, I would love to serve you a slice as we sit and chat around my table ;0)

*Tummy giggles here*... oh man you crack me up Maria - I just knew it my partner in crime - hight five - nice one!! I just know you will adore this book :0) Enjoy sweetie...


Best wishes Rosie x

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

The cake looks gorgeous. Like the bit about "chocolate paradise". I can identify with that.:)

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

That's such a great book! I'd love to own it... This cake looks absolutely delicious! A real treat!

Cheers,

Rosa

Maria said...

Fudgy chocolate cakes are among my favorites cakes of all ... and this looks absolutely divine! I should really keep away from blogging while fasting--this isn't going to work when I read posts like this every day!!

Uma said...

ooh, Rosie! You're torturing me too much with that mouth-watering cake! Look at that choco glaze! Just heavenly! You're a great baker Rosie!

Peter M said...

How very decadent of you, what a cake and yes...chocolate paradise!

The Blonde Duck said...

You should make a cookbook of cakes. A cakebook!

Trupti said...

Wow Rosie cake looks very delicious

Recipeswap said...

Love the glaze looks delicious!

Anonymous said...

That would make anyone drool! Beautiful!

Hornsfan said...

Beautiful and flavorful - what more could you ask for in a cake! This is a great looking cake Rosie!

Sanghi said...

Wow!! Rosie.. This make me so chocoholic dear..! Im drooling over the choco cake..!! :)

Unknown said...

wow rosie..this one looks so gorgeous..drooling here..

Ivy said...

Wow Rosie your cakes are so stunning. They are always perfect and your pictures are very beautiful as well.

Nickki said...

OMG Rosie!!! That is one spectacular looking cake!! You are seriously tempting me to order this book!! :)

Sara said...

What an amazing looking cake! I sure would like to try some with all that chocolate glaze!

Netts Nook said...

I have made this cake before but I know now I need to again Thanks for sharing yours looks great.

sangeeta said...

truly heavenly.....this cake makes me weak in the knee...

Katie said...

This looks divine Rosie - especially that gooey chocolate centre!

Finla said...

Rosie there is almost 670 gm of sugar altogehter in the recipe , is it not a bit sweet then the cake .
Aslo no bakigpowder or bicarbonate?
Just wanted to know before i make the cake.

♥Rosie♥ said...

Hi H.C. oh it's a lovely sweet cake ;0)

No baking powder baking powder or bicarbonate in this recipe.

Best wishes Rosie x

Ashwini said...

Hi, First time here.. You have a very mouthwatering recipes..Lovely collection..I am drooling over this cake. Looks so yummmmmmm

Autumn said...

yummy!!

Finla said...

Thankyou rosie for the info, will make them for sunday coffee and i will let you know.

♥Rosie♥ said...

Hi Aparna, ...lol... it was truly chocolate paradise :D

Hi Rosa, it is a lovely book and I will be baking a few other cakes from here...

Hi Maria, I know how very naughty of me tempting you...

Hi Uma, oh thank you sweet such a lovely complement!

Hi Peter, I agree very .....!!

Hi Duckie, I have never thought of that idea before – now you say perhaps in the future who knows ;0)

Hi Trupti, A warm welcome to my blog and lovely to *see* you here and thanks for the lovely comment... I hope you will call back again :D

Thank you n33ma :D

Hi applecrumbles, lovely to *see* you here and a warm welcome to my little blog! Thanks for the lovely comment... I hope you will call back again :D

Thank you so much Hornsfan :D

Hi Sanghi, thank you sweetie :D

Ahhhh thank you sowmya so kind :D

Hi Ivy ahhhh thank you sweetie _ I’m trying these days to improve my photography it really doesn’t come natural to me so this means so much :D

Hi Nickki, oh it’s lovely to ‘see’ you hope all is well.... thanks for your very kind words!! BTW you NEED this book ;D
Sara, I would dearly love to cut you a slice and pass you some over!!

Hi Netts Nook , how lovely to *meet* you and a warm welcome to Baking Cakes Galore :D Oh you must bake this again it really is a great cake :D

Hi sangeeta, A warm welcome to Baking Cakes Galore and lovely to *see* you here and thanks for the lovely comment... I hope you will call back again :D

Hi Katie, oh thank you so much coming from such an excellent baker as yourself!!

Hi Ashwini, welcome to Baking Cakes Galore and it really is so lovely to *meet* you :D I am pleased you like my bakes and hope you will call again .....

Hi Maureen, ahhhh thank you :D

Hi H.C. I hope you have fun baking and can’t wait to view your cake – thank you sweetie for trying this one out :D

With my best wishes and thanks to you all my friends and for all your wonderful kind words!!

Rosie x

How To Eat A Cupcake said...

I LOVE that book! :D

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Thanks one tunnel I'd gladly get trapped in. ;)

Coffee and Vanilla said...

Wow, beautiful cake Rosie... glaze looks delicious :)
Hope you are doing good... here weather was very sunny today, but at the same time freezing.

Answering your question about curry, yes, you can buy it even in supermarkets such as Tesco now, Caribbean curry powder (Tropical Sun is the one I used: http://www.tropicalsun.info) has different flavour from Indian curry, but can be substituted… I just like to use it, especially in dishes like this ;)

♥Rosie♥ said...

Hi H.T.E.A.C.C, Ido too sweetie you would love it!

Hi Susan, ahhh thank you, so kind :D

Hi Margot, wow that is great news I will keep my eyes open for this now when shoping! Thanks for the info so quickly!

Many thanks for calling by ladies and lovely as always to *see* you here :0)

Best wishes Rosie x

Anonymous said...

Rosie, I would love to sink my teeth into that cake. Love chocolate and love cake! Wonderful!

aforkfulofspaghetti said...

Golly, that looks wicked! But in all the right ways, obviously... ;-)

Rachel said...

Tunnel of chocolate goodness it would be to me!!!

Chef Jeena said...

Hi Rosie, great new blog I love the header.

When I saw the words 'tunnel of fudge' I knew I would it, looks gorgeous!

test it comm said...

That chocolate fudge cake looks so good all covered in chocolate sauce!

grace said...

the only thing better than chocolate cake is chocolate cake with chocolate glaze. stellar cake, rosie!

Faery said...

Wow! I dont care about my diet, I need this cake for my depression it is just what the doctor recommended me.
I am so sorry you had to move but this new blog will filled with friends and tons of love too
In Venezuela you have a friend and a fan

Cakelaw said...

What a gorgeous cake Rosie - love the nuts peeking out of the chocolate and the shiny glaze.

♥Rosie♥ said...

Thank you - thank you my 'dear' friends for all your kind words :0)

Best wishes Rosie x

Snooky doodle said...

oh I m drooling. this one is to die for :)

Anna's kitchen table said...

WOW! I'm drooling too!

Anonymous said...

Mmm...I can almost smell it baking! Yum!

Question: Instead of a bundt pan, do you think it would be possible to make "cupcakes" instead? You know, butter and flour each "cup" and then invert after baking?

I'm wondering if anyone out there have tried that?

~Sam

s said...

This cake looked delicious so I gave a crack at it! However, after it was baked I had to pry it of the pan. More importantly, there was no tunnel of fudge in the center of the cake! It was all evenly cooked chocolate cake! What did I do wrong?