Tunnel of Fudge Cake

For Christmas I always try and have a great chocolate dessert!  This year I tried Cook's Magazine Tunnel of Fudge Cake.  It amazes me how this cake actually works.  By pouring the same batter into the pan all at once this cake comes out with a fudge center and a cakey outside!!??  I am mystified! 

The taste is amazing! A creamy fudge center surrounded by a moist rich chocolate cake and covered with a creamy rich chocolate glaze....yummy!!  The original recipe calls for nuts.  I omitted them wanting to keep a smooth texture.

Tunnel of Fudge Cake

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup boiling water
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 cups flour
2 cups confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon salt
5 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
20 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Glaze

3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup light corn syrup
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Adjust racks in oven to lower middle position.  Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a spring form pan and sprinkle the inside with about 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder.  Set aside

Place chopped bittersweet chocolate  in a small bowl and cover with 1/2 cup boiling water.  Stir until smooth and allow to cool.

In medium bowl mix together cocoa, flour, confectioners sugar and salt.  In another small bowl whisk together eggs and vanilla.

Using a stand mixer over medium speed beat sugar, brown sugar and butter until light and fluffy.  On low speed add in egg mixture.  Mix until combined and scrape sides.

Add melted chocolate, mix to combine.  Add in flour mixture, scraping sides and mix until just combined. 

Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth out.  Cook for 45-50 minutes until sides are starting to pull away from pan.  Cool in pan on wire racks for 2 hours.  Remove from pan and place on serving dish.  Allow to cool completely.

For the glaze cook the cream, corn syrup and chocolate in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Stir constantly until smooth.  Stir in vanilla.  Remove from heat and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes.  Drizzle over cake.

This cake can sit at room temperature for up to 2 days!