Fudge-Filled Vanilla Cake

Name: Fudge-Filled Vanilla Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 1 package white cake mix (regular size); 1-1/4 cups water; 1/3 cup canola oil; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup white baking chips, melted; FUDGE FILLING:; 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips; 3 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons 2% milk; 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar; 2 tablespoons light corn syrup; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; MOUSSE TOPPING:; 1-1/2 cups cold 2% milk; 1 package (3.3 ounces) instant white chocolate pudding mix; 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Chocolate curls, optional

For my husband’s birthday cake, I used white chocolate pudding mix as part of the cake’s topping. Guests rated this fluffy cake excellent. —Linnea Ledgister, Wausau, Wisconsin

Ingredients

1 package white cake mix (regular size)
1-1/4 cups water
1/3 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup white baking chips, melted
FUDGE FILLING:
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons 2% milk
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
MOUSSE TOPPING:
1-1/2 cups cold 2% milk
1 package (3.3 ounces) instant white chocolate pudding mix
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate curls, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 13x9-in. baking pan. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, water, oil, eggs and vanilla; beat on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium 2 minutes. Stir in melted chips until combined.
Transfer to prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt chocolate chips and butter with milk over low heat. Stir in confectioners' sugar, corn syrup and vanilla until smooth. Spread over warm cake. Cool cake completely in pan on a wire rack.
For mousse topping, in a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix 2 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes or until soft-set. Fold in whipped topping and vanilla until combined. Spread over cake. If desired, top with chocolate curls. Refrigerate leftovers.

Originally published as White Chocolate Fudge Cake in Taste of Home Christmas Annual 2015