
Brazilian Anthill Cake (Bolo Formigueiro)
- Makes12-14 servings
- Cook Time1¼ hours
- Active time plus cooling35 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.
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.
To access this recipe, you need to be a member.
Join Milk Street and get instant access to over 3,500 recipes for just $1.
