Chocolate Volcano Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 2 (8-inch) cake pans, 2 (10-inch) cake pans and 1 (6-inch) Bundt pan with cooking spray and set aside.
• Beat cake mix, water, oil, and egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl and beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Divide batter equally between prepared cake pans.
• Bake 8-inch cakes and 6-inch Bundt cakes in oven for 35 to 40 minutes and 10-inch cakes for 45 to 50 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. Remove and cool completely.
• To assemble, use a serrated knife to slice off the tops of the 8 and 10-inch cake so the surface of each cake is flat. Place the cut tops into a large bowl and break up to from large crumbs. The crumbs will be used a "lava rocks" at the base of the volcano. Slice the bottom off the 6-inch bunt cake so it sits flat.
• Spread a thin layer of chocolate frosting between the 10-inch cake layers and stack. Spread a thin layer of chocolate frosting between 8-inch cake layers and stack. Place another thin layer of frosting on top of the 8-inch layer cake and place the bunt cake cut side down on top. Place a dollop of frosting on top of the 10-inch cake and carefully, place 8-inch cake on top and center of 10-inch cake.
• Use a serrated knife to trim edges around the tops of both cakes to create a cone shaped cake. (Make angled cuts downward and leave a round base on top for icing to "flow" from.)
• To decorate, frost outside of entire cake with remaining chocolate frosting. Place the cake crumbs around the base of the cake. Pipe green icing around the entire bottom of the cake for "grass". To create "flowing lava" pipe red icing a quarter from the top of cake in downward strokes to the middle of the cake with ribbon tip. Repeat technique with orange icing, starting almost at top of cake and ending where red icing begins with slight overlap. Repeat technique with yellow icing starting at the very top of cake and overlap orange icing. Drizzle yellow and red gel coloring around the very top of cake.
• For the smoke effect place a few pieces of dry ice into glass candle votive. Place the votive into the hole of the bunt cake. Pour a small amount of warm water into the votive and watch it smoke.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Spray four custard cups with baking spray and place on a baking sheet.
• Microwave the butter, bittersweet chocolate and semisweet chocolate in a large bowl on high until the butter is melted, about 1 minute. Whisk until the chocolate is also melted. Stir in the sugar until well blended. Whisk in the eggs and egg yolks, then add the vanilla. Stir in the flour. Divide the mixture among the custard cups.
• Bake until the sides are firm and the centers are soft, about 13 minutes. Let stand 1 minute. Invert on individual plates while warm and serve with vanilla ice cream.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Grease and line 4 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans with parchment paper. Note: If you only have 2 8-inch (20 cm) pans, bake the cakes in batches.
• Add 4 teaspoons of red food coloring to one bowl of batter, the remaining teaspoon of red food coloring and 1 teaspoon of yellow food coloring to the next bowl of batter, and the remaining 2 teaspoons of yellow food coloring to the last bowl of batter. Whisk until fully incorporated.
• Pour ½ cup (85 G) of each color batter into each of the 4 cake pans. Repeat, alternating colors, until all of the batter is used. Gently swirl a toothpick through the batter to blend the colors in each pan.
• Bake the cakes according to the box instructions, 25-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean. Let cool completely. Keep the oven on.
• Make the hard candy flames, lava and water puddles, and lava drips: Grease 3 baking sheets with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper.
• For the flames, on the left side of a prepared baking sheet, arrange 12 red hard candies, about 1 inch (2 ½ cm) apart, in 4 rows of 3. On the right side of the same baking sheet, place the butterscotch candies in 3 rows of 3, about 1 inch (2 ½ cm) apart. Bake for 4-6 minutes, until the candies are entirely melted together, but not bubbling too much. Let cool completely, then break into large shards. Set aside.
• For the lava and water puddles, arrange 4 evenly spaced clusters of 3 blue and 1 green hard candies on a baking sheet. Place 4 red hard candies at least 1 inch (2 ½ cm) from the clusters and the edges of the pan. Place the remaining 4 butterscotch candies directly next to each red candy. Bake for 4-6 minutes, until melted into pools. Let cool completely.
• For the lava drips, position the remaining 8 red hard candies at least 1 inch (2 ½ cm) apart along a long side of the baking sheet, at least 1 inch (2 ½ cm) from the edge. Bake for 4-6 minutes, until melted. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and very carefully tip the pan so the melted candy slides down, creating a drip effect. Let cool completely.
• Trim the domed tops off the cakes. Use a 3-inch (7 cm) round cookie cutter to punch out holes in the centers of 2 of the cakes. Reserve the cake scraps.
• Assemble the cake: Place a 9-inch (22 cm) cardboard round on a cake turntable.
• Spread a dab of chocolate frosting in the center of the cardboard. Place a whole cake on the round. Using an offset spatula, spread about ½ cup (85 G) of frosting evenly over the top of the cake. Place the other whole cake on top and repeat frosting. Repeat with the remaining 2 cakes with the holes in the center. Place an 8-ounce mason jar in the hole in the center. Use your hand to lightly push the mason jar in until the top is level with the cake. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes, up to 1 hour.
• Carve the volcano: Using a sharp serrated knife, carefully trim down the sides of the cake at an angle so that the base is wider than the top. Make sure to leave a layer of cake at least 1-inch (2 ½ cm) thick around the jar. Reserve the cake scraps.
• Frost the outside of the cake with 4 cups (460 G) of frosting. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, up to overnight.
• Make the volcanic crumbles: Add 2 cups (230 G) of frosting to the bowl of cake scraps and mix with an electric hand mixer until coarsely crumbled.
• Assemble the volcano cake: Carefully transfer the cake to a platter at least 12 inches (30 cm) wide, positioning it near one corner. Place the melted blue-green candy puddles around the edges of the platter.
• Add the volcanic crumble around the base of the cake, and partially covering the candy puddles. You may not need to use all of the crumble. Sprinkle the chocolate peanut butter candies, mini chocolate peanut butter cups, and chocolate-coated caramel bites evenly over the crumble.
• Place the red hard candy drips around the sides of the cake, positioning them near the top. Place the red candy puddles on top of the crumble under the drips.
• Place the red and yellow candy shards along the top rim of the cake, surrounding the mason jar.
• Position the dinosaur figurines around the volcano, if using.
• When ready to present the cake, carefully use tongs to place a piece of dry ice in the mason jar. Pour room temperature water over the dry ice to create a smoke effect.
• Use tongs to carefully remove the mason jar before slicing and serving.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and base line an 18cm round cake tin, a 800-900ml oven proof (Pyrex) bowl and a 1.2 litre oven proof bowl.
• Put the butter, 300g of the sugar, eggs, flour and milk into a large bowl and beat well until light and creamy. Spread just under half the mixture in the cake tin.
• Take just under half of the remaining mixture and put into a bowl and colour deep red with food colouring. Put 3-4 small spoonfuls of red cake mix onto the mixture in the cake tin. Using the handle of a teaspoon pull the red mix through to give a marbled effect.
• Using the remaining plain and red cake mix place spoonfuls in a random fashion in the two prepared bowls. Again use the teaspoon handle to give a marbled effect.
• Bake in the oven for about 30 mins for the small bowl, about 35 mins for the medium and 50-60 mins for the cake tin. The mixture is cooked when firm to the touch and when a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
• When the cakes are cold trim off any peaks that have formed. Place the round cake on a large cake board. Cut three small 'v' shapes on the edge of the cake, to make an uneven shape for the volcano base. Spread a little apricot glaze all over the cake and place the larger bowl cake, rounded side up, on top. Brush with apricot glaze and place the remaining cake, rounded side up, on top. Cut a small hollow in the top of this cake (to represent the 'mouth' of the volcano) and then brush the cake with apricot glaze.
• Roll out the marzipan to a large circle to cover the cake. It can be quite a rough shape. Lift it onto the cake and drape in a random fashion in the nooks and crannies to make a volcano shape.
• Melt the chocolate in a microwave or in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Using a pastry brush, paint the volcano with chocolate. Attach chunks of chocolate, popcorn etc with melted chocolate. Add the dinosaurs. Drizzle any remaining chocolate over the volcano in a random fashion.
• To make the lava put the remaining 50g sugar into a small non-stick frying pan. Heat gently without stirring until the sugar has melted but is still clear. Lightly oil a metal baking sheet. When the sugar is just turning light brown at the edge, remove from the heat and carefully stir in a little red paste food colouring. Using a teaspoon, drizzle lava shapes onto the prepared tray. Leave to cool completely.
• When cold, carefully lift the lava shapes and place in the top of the volcano. For extra effect use birthday candles, cake sparklers, or cake fountains.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 1 angel food cake pan for the base cake layer and 1 fluted tube pan (such as Bundt®) for the top cake layer.
• Combine 1 cake mix, 1 1/3 cup water, 3 eggs, and 1/2 cup melted butter in a large bowl to make base cake layer. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium and continue to beat, scraping bowl occasionally, until batter is smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour into prepared angel food cake pan.
• Combine 1 cake mix, 1 1/3 cup water, 3 eggs, and 1/2 cup melted butter in a large bowl to make top cake layer. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium and continue to beat, scraping bowl occasionally, until batter is smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour into prepared fluted tube pan.
• Bake cakes in the preheated oven until toothpicks inserted into the centers come out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool in pans, about 5 minutes. Invert onto wire racks.
• Sift confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder together in a large bowl.
• Combine 1 cup softened butter and vanilla extract together in another large bowl; beat with an electric mixer on low speed until creamy. Gradually beat in sifted sugar mixture until well-blended. Add heavy cream; beat until frosting is well-blended and spreading consistency.
• Place base cake layer on a large serving platter. Spread a thin layer of frosting on top. Position top cake layer over the base so that holes are aligned. Trim hole at the center of the cakes with a knife so that it is large enough to fit a tall glass or mason jar. Cut off the top with a serrated knife to create a volcano "rim".
• Spread frosting all over stacked cake. Arrange cake trimmings as "lava rocks" around the base. Refrigerate until frosting sets.
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Combine white sugar, light corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook until syrup reaches 310 degrees F (155 degrees C) or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard, brittle threads. Remove from heat and stir in 2 drops red food coloring and cinnamon flavoring.
• Pour streams of red syrup carefully onto the lined baking sheet to create candy "lava". Cool until set, about 5 minutes. Peel off the baking sheet and place around the sides and top of the frosted cake.
• Place marshmallow cream, 1/4 cup water, 1 drop red food coloring, and yellow food coloring in a small saucepan over low heat; cook and stir until marshmallow lava is melted and even in color, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Place glass or mason jar inside the frosted cake. Add a small amount of dry ice, marshmallow lava, and remaining 1/4 cup water. Dry ice will create a "smoke" effect and cause marshmallow lava to bubble over cake rim.

Steps:

• Place sheet pan in the middle of the oven for at least 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
• Combine the butter and chocolate in a mixing bowl on top of a pot of simmering water. If you don't have experience melting chocolate then be very careful not to burn the mixture. Never melt chocolate directly over the cooking element.
• Heat chocolate mixture until melted and set aside to cool slightly.
• Beat the eggs, the egg yolks and the sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes, until they are thick and a light yellow color.
• On low speed gradually add the flour and then the chocolate/butter mixture.
• Butter the six ramekins (6-8 ounce) and dust with the cocoa. Tap out the excess cocoa but make sure they are well coated.
• Pour the Volcano batter into the ramekins filling them about 7/8 of the way to the top.
• Place on the pre-heated sheet tray and bake for 15-18 minutes. The consistency when done should be where the edges of the cake are firm and the top is still soft to the touch. Unfortunately, this dessert has very thin line between being under and over done.
• Remove from the oven and let sit on a cool surface for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Run a paring knife between the cake and ramekin to loosen. Invert your dessert plate over the ramekin (be careful, they're hot) and flip over. Tap the plate lightly and lift off the ramekin. Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream. Garnish with Raspberries and Strawberries.
• If the cake runs all over the plate you need to increase the cooking time. If the cake is hard and does not ooze chocolate, lessen the cooking time. If the cake does not come out then make sure it is well buttered and covered in the cocoa.

Steps:

• FOR THE ICE CREAM: Transfer the ice cream to a medium bowl and, using a rubber spatula, fold in the ground espresso until incorporated. Press a sheet of plastic wrap flush against the ice cream to prevent freezer burn and return it to the freezer. (The ice cream can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead.).
• FOR THE CAKES: Lightly coat eight 4-ounce ramekins with butter. dust with sugar, tapping out any excess, and set aside.
• Melt the bittersweet and unsweetened chocolates and 10 tablespoons butter in a medium bowl over a medium saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate mixture is smooth. In a large bowl, whisk the 1 1/2 cups sugar and cornstarch together. Add the chocolate mixture and stir to combine. Add the eggs, egg yolks, and Grand Marnier and whisk until fully combined. Scoop 1/2 cup of the batter into each of the prepared ramekins. (The ramekins can be covered tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.).
• Adjust an oven rack to the upper-middle position and heat the oven to 375 degrees. Place the filled ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the tops of the cakes are set, have formed shiny crusts, and are beginning to crack, 16 to 20 minutes.
• Transfer the ramekins to a wire rack and cool slightly, about 2 minutes. Run a paring knife around the edge of each cake. Using a towel to protect your hand from the hot ramekins, invert each cake onto a small plate, then immediately invert again right-side up onto 8 individual plates. Sift confectioners' sugar over each cake and the area of the plate where the ice cream will be placed. Remove the ice cream from the freezer and scoop a portion on top of the confectioners' sugar, next to the cake. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
• Spread chopped peanuts on the bottom of the baking pan.
• Mix chocolate cake mix, water, eggs, and oil in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Fold peanut butter cups into the cake batter. Pour over peanuts in the baking pan.
• Mix 2 cups confectioners' sugar, cream cheese, and peanut butter in another large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Drop tablespoonfuls of cream cheese mixture over cake batter in the baking pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add milk and cocoa powder; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and stir in remaining 1 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Remove from heat and let glaze cool somewhat, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Pour glaze over baked cake; glaze will pool in cream cheese craters.