How to Make the Perfect Tunnel of Fudge Cake
American · Medium · 80 min · 12 servings
A legendary Bundt cake with a moist chocolate exterior that hides a luscious gooey fudge tunnel inside. This showstopping cake is rich, indulgent, and surprisingly simple to make.
Why this recipe works
This Tunnel of Fudge Cake recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 80 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 520 calories with 7g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 230 g unsalted butter softened
- 400 g powdered sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 220 g all purpose flour
- 80 g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 200 g chopped walnuts
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.5 tsp salt
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
Preheat oven to 175C. In a large bowl, beat softened butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue beating for 3 to 4 minutes until light and creamy.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add eggs two at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract. The batter will look slightly curdled at this stage which is completely normal.
Step 3: Fold in Dry Ingredients
Sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the batter using a spatula until just combined. Gently fold in the chopped walnuts. The walnuts are essential for creating the fudge tunnel and should not be skipped.
Step 4: Bake the Cake
Generously grease and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan. Pour batter in evenly and bake for 58 to 62 minutes. Do not use a toothpick to test doneness as the center should remain gooey. The cake is done when the edges pull slightly from the pan.
Step 5: Cool and Unmold
Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for 1 hour. Then invert onto a serving plate and allow to cool completely for another 2 hours before dusting with powdered sugar and slicing to reveal the fudge tunnel.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- walnuts → pecans for a slightly sweeter nutty flavor
- unsalted butter → plant-based butter for a dairy-free version
- all purpose flour → a 1 to 1 gluten-free baking flour blend
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Testing the center with a toothpick and overbaking to get a clean result which destroys the fudge tunnel
- Not greasing the Bundt pan thoroughly which causes the cake to stick and break apart
- Removing the cake from the pan too soon before it has cooled and set properly
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 520 calories, 7g protein, 58g carbs, 30g fat, 3g fiber.
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