Bolo de Formigueiro - Brazilian anthill cake

Bolo de Formigueiro - Brazilian anthill cake

This pound cake get its name from the chocolate chips mixed into the batter, which are supposed to resemble ants. One of my favorite Brazilian recipes! 

Ingridients

1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs, at room temperature
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 cups sifted cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup chocolate sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or chocolate shavings
1 cup coconut flakes (optional)

Directions

Grease and flour a 12-cup tube pan or Bundt pan. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. In the bowl of a standing mixer, cream the butter with the sugar until mixture is light and fluffy.

Add the eggs to the butter/sugar mixture one at a time, beating after each. 

Stir the vanilla into the buttermilk. In a small bowl, whisk the flour together with the baking powder. 

Add the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar/egg mixtures in parts, alternating with the buttermilk. Beat on low speed after each addition until just mixed. 

Fold the chocolate sprinkles and coconut flakes into the batter. Pour batter into prepared pan. 

Bake cake for about 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. 

Remove cake from oven and cook on a rack for 10-15 minutes. Flip cake from pan, and let cool completely before slicing. 

Tips: Prepare chocolate glaze, and drizzle over top and sides of cake, Use sprinkles to decorate.