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Brazilian Anthill Cake (Bolo Formigueiro)

Brazilian Anthill Cake (Bolo Formigueiro)

By Lawman JohnsonOctober 16, 2026

  • Makes
    12-14 servings
  • Cook Time
    1¼ hours
  • Active time plus cooling
    35 minutes active, plus cooling

Bolo formigueiro—which translates as “anthill cake”—is a Brazilian dessert that gets its whimsical name from the chocolate sprinkles that speckle the crumb as well as the exterior. Not all chocolate sprinkles are created equal; most lack flavor and are waxy in texture. Seek out a high-quality brand that lists unsweetened chocolate or cocoa powder as the second ingredient (after sugar) rather than oil or starch; the absence of carnauba wax is also a good thing. Guittard and De Ruijter are top picks. For the glaze, make sure to use Dutch-processed cocoa for deep, dark color. Store leftovers under a cake dome or carefully wrapped in plastic at room temperature for up to three days.

Tip

Don’t take a shortcut when prepping the pan. Buttering and flouring a Bundt pan requires time and effort but we learned the hard way that this cake, even if baked in a nonstick pan, requires careful pan prep for easy release. Brushing the pan with softened (not melted) butter, then dusting with flour was the surest bet.

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