Tunnel of Fudge cake help

Years ago, you used to be able to get a Tunnel of Fudge Bundt cake mix.  It was a chocolate cake mix and it had a tunnel of pudding-like fudgy center.
In the box, I think there were 3 packets -- one for the cake, one for the fudge filling, and one for the chocolate glaze.
You would mix the cake mix, pour half of it into the Bundt pan, then mix the fudge mix and spoon it on top of the cake batter. Then you put the rest of the cake batter on top of hte fudge mix and bake it.

I'm trying to recreate it from scratch. I have found a recipe for it here (http://www.pillsbury.com/Recipes/ShowRecipe.aspx?rid=11510) , but it has nuts in them and I know the mix did not. Also, in the from-scratch recipe, you mix everything together and the fudge center "magically" appears -- you don't spoon it like you did with the mix.

Has anyone ever tried the from-scratch recipe without the nuts (I don't like nuts in my cake)? Or does anyone have a recipe that works like the mix did?  I'm giving my mother a new Bundt cake pan for her birthday, and I would like to make this cake for her to go along with it (it was her favorite).

Thanks in advance!

Re: Tunnel of Fudge cake help

I do not have a recipe for you, but I remember the cake mix very well.  It was a favorite at our house and we were disappointed when it was taken off of the market. If you can find a make it from scratch that is similar, I also would be interested in the recipe. I wish you luck.

Re: Tunnel of Fudge cake help

I have a copy of the Pillsbury 17th Annual Busy Lady Bake Off Recipes that does include this recipe from scratch. The problem is that it calls  for 1 pkg. of Pillsbury Two Layer Size Double Dutch Fudge Buttercream Frosting Mix. I don't believe this product is still made by Pillsbury. If there is something that can be substituted can someone please let me know!! I would truly appreciate any help I can get here as this was sincerely a family favorite for years!!

Here is the recipe:

TUNNEL OF FUDGE CAKE

1 1/2 cups soft Land O'Lakes Butter

6 eggs

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 Cups Pillsbury's Best Flour

1 pkg. Pillsbury Two Layer Size Double Dutch Fudge Buttercream Frosting Mix

2 Cups Chopped Diamond Walnuts

Cream butter in large mixer bowl at high speed of mixer. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Gradually add sugar, continue creaming at high speed until light and fluffy.  By Hand, stir in flour, frosting mix and walnuts until well blended. Pour batter into greased Bundt pan or 10-inch tube pan. Bake at 350 for 60 to 65 minutes. Cool 2 hours; remove from pan. Cool completely before serving.

NOTE; Nuts and Double Dutch Fudge Frosting Mix are essential to success of this unusual recipe. Since cake has a soft fudgy interior, test for doneness after 60 minutes by observing dry, shiny brownie type crust.

I

Re: Tunnel of Fudge cake help

The original recipe that won the bake-off used a product that isn't made today that is why in the recipe you have now requires nuts so that the fudgy middle will appear.  I know how you feel about nuts.  I will keep a look out for a recipe for you.

Re: Tunnel of Fudge cake help

This sounds very similar to the Chocolate Lava Cake mixes that can now be found in the baking Aisle. Essentially you bake it long enough to form the outer cake layer, but does not bake all the way through so the center stays batterlike.

 

Jaime 

Re: Tunnel of Fudge cake help

I would dearly love to have the original recipe.  I was at a Pampered Chef party this weekend and several of the ladies were talking about the Tunnel of Fudge bundt cake.  Pampered Chef has a stoneware bundt pan that allows you to "bake" the cake in the microwave.  Everyone is looking for a recipe.  Better yet, maybe if enough people write to Pillsbury, maybe they will bring it back!!!  They could partner with Pampered Chef even to bring the recipe to their catalogs.  Pillsbury, are you listening??

Re: Tunnel of Fudge cake help

I  found the original recipe in a bake off cookbook that I found at a thrift store.  I looked for the frosting mix for 3 weeks before I figured it wasn't made anymore.  I went looking on the internet and here's what I found---

Tunnel of Fudge Cake, 1966 version.

In 1966 a chocolate cake called the Tunnel of Fudge Cake, made with a boxed frosting mix, won the Pillsbury BAKE-OFF Contest. Although the frosting mix was discontinued, Pillsbury continued to receive so many requests for the cake that the company developed a scratch recipe to simulate the original.

Measure	Ingredient
3½	Sticks butter, softened
1¾ cup	Sugar
6	Eggs
2¾ cup	Powdered sugar
2¼ cup	Flour
1 cup	Unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cup	Walnuts, chopped
1½ tablespoon	(to 2 Tbsp) milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 12-cup bundt pan or 10" angel food tube pan. Dust with flour; tap out excess. 2. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar, beating until well blended. By hand, stir in flour, 3/4 cup cocoa, and nuts; mix until well blended. Spoon batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. 3. Bake 58 to 62 minutes. Since this cake has a soft tunnel of fudge, ordinary doneness test cannot be used. Accurate oven temperature and baking time are critical. Let cake cool upright in pan on a rack for 1 hour; then invert onto serving plate and let cool completely. 4. To make glaze, in a small bowl, combine remaining 3/4 cup powdered sugar, remaining 1/4 cup cocoa, and milk. Mix until well blended. Spoon glaze over top of cool cake, allowing some to run down sides. Store cake tightly covered. ** Nuts are essential for the success of this recipe.

I haven't tried to make it yet, I hope it turns out.

 

 

Re: Tunnel of Fudge cake help

Nordic ware makes a tunnel of fudge bundt cake mix.

http://www.nordicware.com/store/categories/browse/EFCD6B5C-4975-102A-BB3267AD7

Re: Tunnel of Fudge cake help

I also loved this cake mix, although I seem to remember a non chocolate filling as well, like a Boston creme or something like that.  I sooo miss those cakes.  Im glad Im not the only one.  Has anyone tried the above recipes?  Have they also tried them without nuts?  I join the club on not liking nuts in my cake.  Hopefully they turned out well for people.  Any update would be greatly appreciated.  If it works Id be interested in making it.  Right now Im working on a batch of cookies similiar to the Sunshine Lemon Coolers which were also discontinued. 

Re: Tunnel of Fudge cake help

 

Hi - Have you had any luck with your tunnel of fudge bundt cake search/recipes?  I also have been searching, I miss those cakes.

 

Wendy

Re: Tunnel of Fudge cake help

Just ran on to your request for TUNNEL OF FUDGE BUNDT CAKE!!!  Did you ever find one without the nuts?  I do have a recipe from scratch that does not have nuts and I am willing to share if you are still interested. 

Re: Tunnel of Fudge cake help

Yes. Yes.  Please share with us, cher1147!!

 

Re: Tunnel of Fudge cake help

please share the recipe if you get it, I would love it also.  I remember the tunnel of fudge cake very well.  But you need the frosting mix which is not made anymore......thank you

Re: Tunnel of Fudge cake help

I would also love to have your recipe for Tunnel Of Fudge Bundt Cke without nuts if you please send I would appreciate it Thank You

Re: Tunnel of Fudge cake help

I'm another who doesn't like nuts--at least not in chunks. When I've HAD to use them, I grind the required amount to almost a "powder" or "dust" (which you actually can BUY for pecans!) and then use them!

I, too, would like that recipe! When you look and look for something at the store and you never find it, you kind of "forget" you ever had it---until somebody reminds you!