Bready or Not: Chocolate-Frangipane Bundt Cake

This Chocolate-Frangipane Bundt Cake is a show-stopper: a rich chocolate cake with a hidden frangipane layer inside, crowned with drippy icing and almonds.

This cake would be perfect for the holiday season–or any time of year you want to go all-out on a delicious cake.

There are a lot of directions and ingredients, but the cake is really quite straightforward to make. I tried to simplify some elements from the original in Bake from Scratch Magazine (who would notice browned butter in a cake that’s already rich in several ways?) and made the ingredient division friendlier, too.

I have a deep, abiding love for frangipane, and this recipe balances the sweet almond paste against a nice, dense chocolate cake. It’s a fine combo.

If you want to save some baking day effort, make the frangipane a day ahead and stash it in the fridge. I do that quite often with recipes like this.

PrintBready or Not: Chocolate-Frangipane Bundt CakeThis is a fancy bundt cake that looks and tastes fancy. Perfect for the holiday season or any time of year you want to go all-out on a bundt cake! Modified a lot from Bake from Scratch Magazine Nov/Dec 2018.Course Breakfast, Dessert, SnackKeyword almond, bundt cake, cake, chocolateAuthor Beth CatoEquipment10-cup bundt pan or largerIngredientsFrangipane1 cup almond flour sifted1/2 cup white sugar1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) melted and cooled1 large egg room temperature1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour1 teaspoon almond extractBundt Cake1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) plus more for pan2 cups whole buttermilk or soured milk*2 large eggs room temperature1 Tablespoon instant espresso powder1 teaspoon almond extract1 teaspoon vanilla extract2 cups white sugar2 cups all-purpose flour3/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder sifted, plus more to dust pan2 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoon kosher salt1 teaspoon baking powderFrosting1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar1/2 teaspoon almond extract3 Tablespoon half & half or heavy creamsliced almondsInstructionsFirst of all, make the frangipane. In a medium bowl, stir together all ingredients until a smooth paste forms. This can be made a day or hours ahead of the cake assembly; if it is made ahead, press plastic wrap to directly cover the frangipane and refrigerate until it is used. Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Generously grease interior surface of a 10-cup bundt pan with butter, then sift extra cocoa powder to coat it as much as possible. Rotate pan to distribute cocoa powder, tapping out excess if necessary.Melt butter in microwave or on stovetop and let it cool a few minutes. Pour it into the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment. Add the buttermilk, eggs, espresso powder, almond extract, and vanilla, beating until smooth.In a separate large bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. Switch from the whisk to the paddle attachment. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just smooth.Pour half the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Dollop the frangipane over the batter and smooth out, if possible. Top with remaining cake batter and smooth it again.Bake until the middle passes the toothpick test, about 55 to 60 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. Let pan cool for about 20 minutes and then carefully invert it onto a rack to completely cool. Bits might stick to the pan; if so, pry them out and try to patch the cake. Remember that frosting will help mask any damage.Once the cake is room temperature, make the frosting. Beat the confectioners' sugar, almond extract, and half & half together to together to form a thick consistency, then drizzle over the cake. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top.Cake will be moister on the first day but keeps fairly well for a few days. Slices can also be individually wrapped and frozen for later.OM NOM NOM!NotesTo make soured milk, pour about 1 Tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar into a 2-cup liquid measuring cup. Add half & half or cream to reach the 2-cups line. Let sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes; it should start to curdle. Use entire contents in recipe.