There’s something about the patterns that emerge on this delicate cake that make me feel like I’ve been transported to my grandmother’s kitchen in the 1950s. This is an all-in-one-cake-caramel topping, pecan filling, and delicious cake that cook all at once!

Guests will be convinced that you slaved over this Bundt cake, but it’s really an easy recipe. Once you pop it in the oven, your work is done. I made this as often for brunch as I do for a dinner party dessert.

Makes one 9-in (23cm) Budnt Cake.

  • 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, plus 1 cup (220g), at room temperature
  • 2 Tbsp light corn syrup
  • 1 Tbsp water
  • ½ cup (100g) firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup (80g) pecan halves
  • 3 ½ cups (525g) Guittard Semisweet Chocolate Baking Wafers
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (170g) Guittard Milk Chocolate Baking Chips or Guittard Butterscotch Baking Chips (optional)

Method

Preheat the oven to 350f (180c). Butter a 9-in (23c) Bundt pan if it is non-stick.

In a small microwave – safe bowl, combine the 1 Tbsp butter, corn syrup, water, and brown sugar. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the butter is melted and the sugar has dissolved. Whisk until the mixture is smooth, pour into the prepared Bundt pan, and sprinkle in the pecans. Set aside.

Melt the semisweet chocolate wafers and the remaing 1 cup (220g) butter together using a hot water bath or the microwave oven (see Note: Melting Chocolate, page 51). Stir until completely melted and smooth. Remove the bowl from the water if you used a hot water bath and set aside to cool.

In a small bowl, combine the flour and salt. Set aside:

In a large bowl, with a hand mixer, beat together the eggs, granulated sugar and vanilla on high speed until the mixture is light and has doubled in volume, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cooled melted chocolate mixture on low speed. Gradually beat in the flour mixture until combined. Stir in the milk chocolate chips (if using). Pour the batter into the Bundt pan over the pecans.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven. Place a large inverted serving platter over the cake and quickly flip the cake upside down, gently shaking it to loosen the cake from the pan. Let the Bundt pan sit on top of the platter for up to 10 minutes to let all of the caramel drip out onto the plate. Cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.