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An Affair from the Heart

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Chocolate Macaroon Tunnel Cake

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Rich chocolate bundt cake with a coconut tunnel inside. Drizzled with both chocolate and vanilla icing. Just like that age old mix time forgot.

Chocolate Macaroon Tunnel Cake

I originally posted this recipe in October of 2011, although the process of perfecting this cake took years before that.

Chocolate Macaroon Tunnel Cake - An Affair from the Heart

I decided it was time for this to be re-posted, as the pictures I had way back when certainly didn’t do this cake justice.  So, before I share the recipe with you, let me tell you how I went about trying to make this cake.

Chocolate Macaroon Tunnel Cake

Twenty-Five years ago, at one of my bridal showers, my Aunt Carol gave me my first bundt cake pan.  She had remembered Brian saying how he loved a cake made by Pillsbury, called a Chocolate Macaroon Tunnel Cake.
She had slipped one of the cake mixes inside the bundt cake pan.
 
The very next year, they quit making it.
 
Now,  I am not a fan of coconut, so if it wasn’t his favorite cake,
this would have gone totally unnoticed by me.
 
But it was.
 
I searched high and low, and couldn’t find one anywhere.
 
For years I tried to find him one that was similar, or maybe turn him on to a new cake?
 
One year I made this tall gorgeous Waldorf Astoria cake.
 
Red  is his FAVORITE color…
 
The cake was gorgeous!! But, it weighed about 50 pounds.
 
Epic fail.
 
 
Chocolate Macaroon Tunnel Cake
Well, back in the dark ages when we got married, and the cake was ripped from the grocery shelves,  Google wasn’t even born yet.  It wasn’t like today when you can just hop on your smart phone and whatever you want is literally at your fingertips.
Once google was born, I started trying recipes that said they tasted like the old box mix.
Year after year I tried.
Bless his heart, he was so sweet to say “it’s okay, I mean it’s close…but not quite there”
He ate them every time so I wouldn’t feel bad.
Finally, I decided to take a couple of different recipes and tweak them and merge them and
and guess what?? I had it!!
Chocolate Macaroon Tunnel Cake
I think his words were something like “You FINALLY did it!!”
 
 

 
 
 
 
 Chocolate Macaroon Tunnel Cake
 
So, now that I have done all of the trial and error for you, you can have this age old cake that I have had SO MANY tell me “used to be their favorite, until it was gone.”  Enjoy!
 
—
 
M.
 
 
Yield: 16

Chocolate Macaroon Tunnel Cake

close up of Chocolate Macaroon Tunnel Cake

Rich chocolate bundt cake with a coconut tunnel inside. Drizzled with both chocolate and vanilla icing. Just like that age old mix time forgot.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • One Devils Food Chocolate Cake Mix- prepared according to box instructions

For the Filling

  • 2 egg whites
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 cups flaked coconut
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla

For the Glaze

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 2 Tablespoons Milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • For chocolate glaze you can add 2 Tablespoons of cocoa to the above mixture.
  • (I glaze with both flavors. Because did I mention how good that puddle of icing in the middle is?!?!)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray your bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Prepare cake mix as per box instructions. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, with a fork quickly mix egg whites. Add the sugar and vanilla and mix again. Stir in coconut and flour.
  • Pour about ½ of the cake mix into your bundt pan. (see photo in blog post) Now spoon filling in a "tunnel" on top of the batter. Be careful not to let the filling touch the pan. Now pour and evenly cover the tunnel with the rest of the batter.
  • Bake the cake for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool in pan for 20-30 minutes and turn onto a plate to cool the rest of the way.
  • Drizzle with frosting if you desire.

    • Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    16

    Serving Size:

    1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 177Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 64mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 1gSugar: 29gProtein: 1g

    Nutrition isn't always accurate.

    © Michaela Kenkel
    Cuisine: American / Category: Cake
     
     —
     
    chocolate-macaroon-tunnel-cake-prep
    This photo shows how to scoop the coconut mixture into the cake.
     
    —
     
    Hungry for MORE COCONUT!?!
    Pineapple Coconut Tunnel Cake

    Pineapple Coconut Tunnel Cake

     

    coconut cream pie

    Coconut Cream Pie

     

    How To Toast Coconut

    How To Toast Coconut

     

    Coconut Pudding Poke Cake

    Coconut Pudding Poke Cake

    If you make this recipe, I’d love to know! Snap a picture, share the photo on social media with the hashtag #AnAffairFromTheHeart – I’d love to see what you made! – Michaela

    About Michaela Kenkel

    Hi, I am Michaela. Stay at home Mom of four, married for over two decades to a man I adore, food blogger, dog lover, party thrower, gift giver, wish I were craftier, liver & lover of life.

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    Comments

    6. says

      This is one of my favorite cakes, ever. It’s not only perfect for the holiday season but also for any special occasion or just to celebrate life. I agree with everyone else, chocolate and coconut were made for each other! Fantastic job, yet once again!!!

      Reply

    9. says

      I can’t say enough about this cake. I love mounds and almond joy candy bars so this is right up my alley. It is stunning and I think I might have to make two of these because I am going to eat a whole one myself!

      Reply

    24. Skratazoid says

      For ingredients, is the flaked coconut unsweetened? I would think so, since you are adding sugar to the filling. I have sweetened flaked coconut, so I’m trying to figure out how to adjust the sugar.

      Thanks 🙂

      Reply

    25. Danielle says

      You say to drizzle with frosting if you desire. Well the topping you made in the pictures is a huge part of the appeal of the cake! I’ve never frosted a cake before. I don’t know what to do to make it look or taste as good as yours. Could you please add instructions for this? Pretty please?!

      Reply

      • says

        Danielle – I am sorry! I shouldn’t assume! Honestly, I usually buy a can of chocolate and a can of vanilla frosting. I heat about 1/2 cup of each in the microwave for a few seconds to get it to where it pours easily. (not soupy!!) Start with one and then overlay the other, dust it with sweetened coconut flakes to finish it off. I hope that helps!

        Reply

    26. says

      I was looking for a cake recipe for the whole family and I stumbled on this article. I read and followed the instructions carefully and I made it deliciously! Every member of my family is so happy! Thanks for this!

      Reply

    29. spring keasler says

      My husband and I will celebrate our 46th anniversary next Saturday. We made this bundt cake while we were dating, and after we were first married. I’m going to surprise him with this cake!

      Reply

    30. says

      Fourth recipe I tried to match the old box mix for this — this is the one! Made for a group get together and it was a huge hit. I did double the coconut filling recipe (we love the coconut part) and it worked perfectly. I also added one drop of coconut flavoring in the white/chocolate frosting. This has been added to my favorite recipes list! Thank you!!

      Reply

    31. Irina says

      OMG, this cake is mouthwatering! I love this chocolate and vanilla icing on top. I will definitely try this out! 🙂

      Reply

    32. Kay says

      I was very excited to find your recipe. I too loved this mix and was sad when it went away. I made this cake today and it was just like I remembered it. Thank you!!!

      Reply

    33. Kimberlyn Arispe says

      Thank you for all of your efforts in making this available to us! I remember this cake – it was one of my favorites!
      I look forward to making it soon for the holidays.

      Again, thank you!

      Reply

    34. Marianne says

      Yay!! I’m totally with your husband. I think you did it! My sister alway asked for the Pillsbury chocolate macaroon Bundt cake for her birthday and when they stopped making them we tried to copy it. Not ever really successful. But we used your recipe mostly for her birthday this Sunday and she’s crazy picky but said it was just what she remembered. I made the cake with a Devils food box mix and added 8 oz. of sour cream, 1/2 c warm water, 1/2 c vegetable oil, 1 pkg instant Jello chocolate pudding, 3 eggs. Then followed the rest with fine grated coconut in the filling. And it was perfect, moist dense Bundt cake. Thanks for the research! Yummm

      Reply

    36. Terry Adkins says

      The flour in the filling, is it self rising or all purpose? This was my husband favorite cake way back then.

      Reply

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