The Best Thunder Cake Recipe - Cooking Frog (2024)

Without a doubt, this will be the best Thunder Cake Recipe! Not only does it have a unique name, but it also has a distinct flavor. When I first heard about this cake, I was so taken with the name that I had to make it myself.

When I was looking for the cake’s recipe, the addition of pureed tomatoes seemed strange at first. It created a sense of anticipation about how this cake would taste and want to try it as soon as possible.

You won’t believe how startled I was by the thunder cake’s distinct flavor.

It turns out fluffy and velvety. I mean, it was flawless.

If you want to try this fantastic treat at home, keep reading to the conclusion because I’ve included some tactics and ideas to help you complete your task of baking the best thunder cake on the first go.

Thunder Cake Recipe

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: 2 ½ cup
  • Cocoa powder: ½ cup
  • Baking Soda ½ TSP
  • Salt 1 TSP
  • Shortening: 1 cup
  • Eggs: 3
  • Sugar: 1 ¾ cups
  • Cold water: 1 cup
  • Vanilla extract: 1 TSP
  • Tomato puree: 1/3 cup

Ingredients to make Chocolate Frosting

  • Cocoa powder: 4 TBSP
  • Melted butter: 4 TBSP
  • Powdered sugar: 2 cups
  • hot water: 3 TBSP
  • vanilla extract: 1 TBSP

This is everything you’ll need to make a delicious Thunder Cake. These ingredients may be found at your local store.

Instructions

Making the Cake:

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
  2. Beat Egg Whites: In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Add shortening to another bowl and beat well. Then incorporate the egg yolks, followed by the cold water and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
  4. Add Tomato Puree: Stir in the tomato puree to the wet mixture.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, blending until the batter is well combined and smooth.
  6. Prepare Baking Pans: Grease two 8.5-inch baking pans with butter, dust them with flour, and shake out any excess.
  7. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes.

Making the Frosting:

  1. Mix Ingredients: While the cake bakes, prepare the frosting. Whisk together the melted butter and powdered sugar in a bowl. Gradually add the cocoa powder, hot water, and vanilla extract, mixing until the frosting is smooth and creamy.

Finishing the Cake:

  1. Cool the Cake: After baking, let the cake cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool to room temperature, approximately 30 minutes.
  2. Decorate with Frosting: Once cooled, spread the chocolate frosting over the cake.

Serving:

  • Your delicious Thunder Cake is now ready to be served and enjoyed with friends and family!

Tips & Tricks for Thunder Cake Recipe

  • Sift all the dry ingredients to make a perfectly smooth and lumps-free thunder cake batter.
  • Don’t forget to scrape off the sides of the bowl while transferring the batter into the baking pans.
  • Properly grease the sides and bottom of the pan for an easy release of the cake from the pan.
  • Don’t take the cake out of the pan immediately after baking because the soft and fluffy cake will break. Allow the cake to rest for some time so that it can hold its shape.

The Best Thunder Cake Recipe - Cooking Frog (1)

FAQs

Why is the texture of my cake so gummy?

You desire your mixture to be fully blended, but if your manual mixer or stand mixer is set too high, it will not only heat your ingredients, but it will also mix your dough too rapidly, causing your cake to have a hard, gummy texture.

How can I know if my cake is done properly?

Using a wooden skewer, prick the cake. If the cake still has gloppy bits on it when it comes out of the oven, it needs a bit more time in the oven. Return the cake to the oven and continue the process for another 4–5 minutes.

Place a layer of aluminum foil on top of the cake if the cake is starting to brown, but pieces of batter are still sticking to the skewer.

When it comes to baking powder vs. baking soda, what’s the difference?

Baking powder and baking soda aid in the rising of a cake. In addition to the air introduced during mixing, they enhance the number of air bubbles in the batter. Despite the fact that they do the same job, they should never be switched one for the other.

Should I measure using cups or scales?

Precision is key when it comes to baking. Your dough will become too crumbly, sticky, or firm if something is wrong. Even if you believe you can eyeball items, take the time to weigh them out with your scales.

Why isn’t my cake rising correctly?

Is your cake a hard mass that hasn’t risen? Check the baking soda’s expiration date. It won’t work correctly if it’s out of date.

Too much baking soda, on the other hand, causes the cake to rise too quickly and fall in on itself. Using too much baking powder has an unpleasant aftertaste.

Thunder Cake Nutritional Facts

Have a look at the nutritional analysis of Thunder cake.

  • Calories: 200
  • Carbohydrates: 27g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Fats: 10g

Conclusion:

This cake takes only a few minutes to bake and is ready in less than 30 minutes. Don’t skip adding pureed tomatoes if you want a perfect Thunder cake flavor.

If you admire the recipe, give it a try, and you won’t regret making it at home.

Do share your experience in the comment box. You can ask me if you have any queries. Your comments are my greatest inspiration.

Must share with your friends.

Thanks!

4.1/5 (29 Reviews)

The Best Thunder Cake Recipe - Cooking Frog (2024)

FAQs

How to make a Balfours frog cake? ›

At its core, the frog cake consists of two pieces of sponge cake joined by a thin layer of jam and topped with a scoop of buttercream. To transform this pastry into a frog, bakers coat everything with green fondant icing, add a slit in the creamy “head” to create a mouth, and top it off with two tiny fondant eyes.

What is the story of the Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco? ›

Thunder Cake is the story of how Patricia Polacco conquered her childhood fear of Michigan thunderstorms with the assistance of her grandmother. By encouraging the young Patricia to ignore the approaching storm, the two wander outside to gather the ingredients for Thunder Cake, the perfect recipe for a rainy day.

Is Thunder Cake a true story? ›

This wonderful story is based on the authors own life experience with her grandmother making a cake during a thunderstorm. I really enjoy reading stories that are based on the author's past.

What is the resolution of the Thunder Cake? ›

The resolution in the story Thunder Cake is finally when they cut the cake and eat it because they feel accomplished. The falling action in the story Thunder Cake is when they take the cake out of the oven.

Why are frog cakes so expensive? ›

They are expensive to make, and they are handmade here in SA. You wouldn't want a machine-made frog cake. It could never be the same.” Green frogs are the most popular at her food-hall cafe, which opened in 2010, six years after the closure of long-term Rundle Mall favourite, the Balfours Cafe.

How are frog cakes made? ›

When manufactured, large layers of sponge cake are combined and cut mechanically into shape, covered in the fondant, and the mouth is then formed with a hot knife. Fondant eyes of a contrasting colour are manually added to the head, and the completed dessert is presented in a paper patty-pan.

What is the setting of thunder cake? ›

Thunder Cake tells the story of Polacco's summer visits to her Babushka's (grandmother's) farm in Michigan, when Polacco “feared the sound of thunder more than anything.” Fortunately, wise and endearing Babushka formulated a creative way to help Polacco overcome these fears by recognizing all the courage that she ...

Who are the characters in thunder cake? ›

This book is about a little girl, Patricia, that is absolutely terrified of thunderstorms. Her grandmother helps her overcome her fear by teaching her how to make her own thunder cake.

What is the theme of the book thunder cake? ›

The young girl learns to overcome her fears while spending time with her grandma. Social/Emotional: The young girl possesses bravery with the help of her grandma and learns the value of family traditions.

Who ate the cake story? ›

Whenever things go missing, he always gets the blame. How can he explain that it's not him that's eating everything? There's a pesky pelican on the loose, and it's hiding all the objects in its beak! Kate Leake's brand-new picture book is a hilarious story full of mayhem, mishaps - and an utterly lovable, unlucky dog!

Why did cake crash? ›

Your Batter Is Overmixed

Overmixing might trap too much air, and those once-friendly bubbles become large and unruly. Some burst too soon than we would have liked, causing uneven rising, you guessed it, the dreaded collapse in certain spots!

Who was the kid that ate the chocolate cake? ›

Bruce Bogtrotter is an overweight boy from Roald Dahl's book Matilda. He steals a slice of Miss Trunchbull's cake and is punished by being forced to eat a whole 18 inch chocolate cake in front of the whole school.

What grade level is Thunder Cake? ›

Reading to Kids Books: Thunder Cake. Grade Level: 4th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.) As you read, engage the children by asking for their help in making the thunder noises.

How many pages is Thunder Cake? ›

Product Details
ISBN-13:9780698115811
Pages:32
Sales rank:20,214
Product dimensions:8.00(w) x 10.25(h) x 0.14(d)
Lexile:630L (what's this?)
4 more rows

What is in a frog cake? ›

Consisting of a sponge base concealing a thin layer of apricot jam, a dollop of mock cream and a fondant icing slit to create a little froggy smile and piped with two beady eyes, the Balfours Frog Cake was officially recognised as a State Heritage Icon by the National Trust of South Australia in 2001.

Are Balfours hot cross buns discontinued? ›

Beloved South Australian homegrown baker Balfours will no longer sellhot cross buns and a number of other goods, but has hinted at a big change to its iconic frog cakes. Balfours was one of the state's best-known brands before Western Australian company Aus Pie Co took ownership last August.

Who owns Balfours? ›

Balfours has been acquired by WA-based Aus Pie Co for an undisclosed sum. Photo: Balfours. Aus Pie Co, parent company of the Mrs Mac's pie brand, will take control of Balfours on August 1. San Remo – a successful South Australian pasta business owned by the Crotti family since 1936 – took over Balfours in 2008.

What is egg foam cakes? ›

Foam Cakes are based on whipped egg foams. Some recipes contain chemical leaveners, but the air whipped into the eggs is the primary leavening agent. Typically Foam Cakes have a higher proportion of eggs to flour. With Foam Cakes, it is best to use weak or low-protein flour to keep the cake from toughening up.

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