Mounds Cake: A Decadent Coconut Chocolate Delight

Immerse yourself in the irresistible world of indulgence with our Mounds Cake—a heavenly creation that marries the tropical allure of coconut with the rich allure of chocolate. This dessert is a celebration of the beloved Mounds candy bar, reimagined into a delightful cake that will leave you craving more. Join us on this culinary journey as we explore the art of crafting this decadent treat that promises to be a showstopper at any occasion.

Ingredients

For the Mounds Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

For the Coconut Filling:

2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Ganache:

1 cup heavy cream
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

For the Keto and Low-Carb Version:

For the Keto Mounds Cake:

2 cups almond flour
1 3/4 cups granulated erythritol or your preferred keto sweetener
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
2 teaspoons pure almond extract
1 cup boiling water

For the Keto Coconut Filling:

2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
1 cup sweetened condensed milk (using a keto-friendly sweetener)
1 teaspoon pure almond extract

For the Keto Chocolate Ganache:

1 cup heavy cream
2 cups sugar-free chocolate chips
1 teaspoon pure almond extract
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Crafting the Mounds Cake:

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
Add Boiling Water: Pour in the boiling water and stir until the batter is well combined. The batter will be thin, but that’s normal.
Bake the Cake Layers: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake layers to cool completely.

Preparing the Coconut Filling:

Mix Coconut Filling Ingredients: In a bowl, combine shredded sweetened coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Assemble the Filling: Once the cake layers are cool, spread an even layer of the coconut filling on top of each layer.

Creating the Chocolate Ganache:

Heat Heavy Cream: In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it starts to simmer.
Pour Over Chocolate: Place the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for a minute.
Add Vanilla and Salt: Stir the mixture until the chocolate is fully melted. Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, stirring until smooth.
Apply the Ganache: Allow the ganache to cool slightly before pouring it over the assembled cake. Let it drip down the sides for a visually appealing finish.

For the Keto and Low-Carb Version:

Preheat the Oven: Follow the same preheating instructions as above for the keto version.
Prepare the Keto Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine almond flour, keto sweetener, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Mix the Keto Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, unsweetened almond milk, melted coconut oil, and almond extract.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
Add Boiling Water: Pour in the boiling water and stir until the keto batter is well combined. The batter will be thin, but that’s normal.
Keto Bake the Cake Layers: Divide the keto batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the keto cake layers to cool completely.

Preparing the Keto Coconut Filling:

Mix Keto Coconut Filling Ingredients: In a bowl, combine shredded unsweetened coconut, keto sweetened condensed milk, and almond extract. Mix until well combined.
Assemble the Keto Filling: Once the keto cake layers are cool, spread an even layer of the keto coconut filling on top of each layer.

Creating the Keto Chocolate Ganache:

Heat Keto Heavy Cream: Follow the same instructions as above for the keto version.
Pour Over Keto Chocolate: Place the sugar-free chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Pour the hot keto cream over the chocolate and let it sit for a minute.
Add Keto Vanilla and Salt: Stir the keto mixture until the chocolate is fully melted. Add almond extract and a pinch of salt, stirring until smooth.
Apply the Keto Ganache: Allow the keto ganache to cool slightly before pouring it over the assembled keto cake. Let it drip down the sides for a visually appealing finish.

Cook Notes

Boiling Water Magic: Don’t be alarmed by the addition of boiling water to the batter; it enhances the cake’s texture and ensures a moist crumb.
Assembly Tips: When layering the coconut filling, press down gently to ensure an even distribution between the layers without compacting the cake too much.
Ganache Consistency: Adjust the ganache consistency by letting it cool slightly for a thicker texture or adding more cream for a thinner pour.

Variations

Keto Version:

Hazelnut Harmony: Incorporate sugar-free hazelnut spread into the keto coconut filling for a nutty twist.
Keto Nut Topping: Garnish the top of the keto cake with chopped almonds or hazelnuts for added crunch.

Low-Carb Version:

Berry Bliss: Introduce a layer of mixed berries between the cake layers for a burst of freshness in the low-carb version.
Creamy Low-Carb Frosting: Substitute the chocolate ganache with a low-carb cream cheese frosting for a tangy contrast.

The Decadent Symphony of Mounds Cake

The Mounds Cake is a decadent symphony of flavors—the velvety chocolate, the sweet coconut, and the moist cake layers create a harmonious blend that’s nothing short of divine. Each slice is a celebration of the classic Mounds candy bar, transformed into a luxurious cake that captivates the senses.

Navigating Dietary Preferences

In the realm of dietary preferences, this recipe graciously accommodates different lifestyles. The classic version captures the essence of the traditional Mounds cake, while the keto and low-carb adaptations offer alternatives that align with specific dietary goals. Whether you’re savoring the classic or indulging in the keto and low-carb twists, the Mounds Cake is a testament to the art of decadent delight.

Savoring the Decadence

As we savor each forkful of Mounds Cake, we revel in the decadence that unfolds—the richness of the chocolate, the sweetness of the coconut, and the lusciousness of the cake layers. It’s a dessert that transcends the ordinary, inviting us to savor the symphony of decadent flavors in every divine bite.

the Decadent Affair

In conclusion, the Mounds Cake is not just a recipe; it’s a decadent affair that elevates the dessert experience. Whether you choose the classic version or explore the keto and low-carb adaptations, may each bite be a celebration of the indulgent symphony found in the fusion of chocolate and coconut.

So, preheat that oven, layer on the coconut filling, pour that ganache, and witness the decadence unfold. As you relish the Mounds Cake, may it be a gastronomic celebration that takes you on a journey of pure indulgence. Happy baking and bon appétit!