Patricia Polacco's Thunder Cake

Patricia Polacco's Thunder Cake is a delightful and unconventional chocolate cake that uses a surprising secret ingredient—puréed ripe tomatoes—to create its irresistibly moist texture and rich depth of flavor. Perfectly balanced with the boldness of unsweetened cocoa and the fluffiness of whipped egg whites, this unique cake steps outside traditional baking boundaries for a one-of-a-kind dessert experience. Ideal for family gatherings or storytelling sessions inspired by the beloved children's book, this cake takes just 20 minutes to prepare and bakes to perfection in under 35. Frost it with your favorite chocolate frosting or savor its rustic charm as is. Whether you're battling a thunderstorm or simply craving a comforting homemade treat, Thunder Cake is sure to become a cherished staple in your recipe collection.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 1.75 cups Granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1.5 teaspoons Baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 cup Vegetable oil
• 1 cup Cold water
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 3 large Egg yolks
• 3 large Egg whites
• 1 cup Purée of ripe tomatoes (fresh or canned)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well to combine.

Step 3

In a medium bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, cold water, vanilla extract, and egg yolks until smooth.

Step 4

Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.

Step 5

Add the puréed tomatoes to the batter and mix gently until incorporated.

Step 6

In a clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form.

Step 7

Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter using a rubber spatula, taking care not to deflate the mixture.

Step 8

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.

Step 10

Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 11

Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting or enjoy plain for a rustic, hearty treat.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1523.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3926.0

Total Fat 138.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 67.2g
Cholesterol 553.5mg	0%
Sodium 4474.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 678.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 54.6g	0%
Total Sugars 365.0g
Protein 77.3g	0%

Vitamin D 54.9IU	0%
Calcium 303.1mg	0%
Iron 36.6mg	0%
Potassium 3047.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 29.1%

Protein: 7.2%

Carbs: 63.6%