Timeless chocolate bundt cake is a rich, decadent, ehh! Deep chocolate flavor coupled with tender and moist crumb. Easy Chocolate bundt cake (courtesy of a devil’s food cake mix and an indulgent cream cheese frosting) — great for parties, holidays, or just because.
Made with a prep time of 10 minutes and an easy 45 minutes to bake, this easy chocolate bundt cake is everything you need in a recipe. Here is a recipe with health benefits of ingredients, steps on how to prepare, serving inspiration, and more. Perfect for 12 because the recipe is designed to share. If you’re exploring homemade chocolate bundt cake ideas, this one is a keeper.
Chocolate Bundt Cake
Equipment
- 1 Bundt pan 10–12 cup capacity
- 1 Mixing Bowl Large, for batter
- 1 Hand mixer Or whisk
- 1 Wire cooling rack For cooling the cake
- 1 Spatula For folding in chips
- 1 Measuring spoons For accuracy
- 1 Pastry bag / Ziplock For frosting drizzle
Ingredients
- 1 package Devil’s food cake mix 15.25 oz
- 1 box Instant chocolate pudding 3.9 oz
- 1 cup Sour cream Full fat preferred
- 4 Large eggs
- 0.5 cup Water
- 0.5 cup Vegetable or canola oil Canola oil preferred
- 1.5 cups Chocolate chips Semi-sweet or dark chocolate recommended
- 8 oz Cream cheese Softened
- 0.25 cup Butter Softened
- 2 cups Powdered sugar Adjust for thickness
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10–12 cup bundt pan thoroughly using softened butter or shortening, then dust with flour or cocoa powder, tapping out excess.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the devil’s food cake mix, instant chocolate pudding mix, sour cream, eggs, water, and vegetable oil. Blend with a hand mixer or whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula to ensure even distribution.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a butter knife gently around the edges to loosen, then invert onto a wire cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter with a hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, beating for 2–3 minutes until smooth and creamy. Adjust with more powdered sugar if thicker consistency is desired.
- Spoon the frosting into a pastry bag or a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off. Starting at the outer edge of the cooled cake, pipe a line of frosting up and over the cake, toward the center hole. Repeat around the entire cake for a decorative drizzle.
- Cover and refrigerate the cake for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Notes
- For smaller batches (serves 2), scale each ingredient to one-sixth. Use kitchen scale for accuracy.
- For a fruity twist, swirl in ½ cup raspberry preserves before baking.
- Pair with vanilla ice cream or fresh berries.
- For mocha flavor, add 1 tbsp instant coffee granules to batter.
- Use gluten-free cake and pudding mix for GF version.
Health Benefits of Ingredients
This cake is a treat, but it has some health and nutritional benefits from its ingredients, mostly in moderation:
- Cocoa (cake mix, pudding, and chips): High in flavonoids that may reduce inflammation and improve heart health by promoting blood flow — a bonus in all chocolate bundt cake recipes.
- Sour Cream: Rich in probiotics for the bowel and a great source of calcium for strong bones.
- Eggs: High-quality protein, and choline (very important for the brain & cell membrane health).
- Canola Oil: Oil high in monounsaturated fats and omega-3’s which benefit the heart — a key element in this chocolate bundt cake with oil.
- Cream Cheese and Butter: In moderation, provides calcium & vitamin A — not the best combo in excess, but it delivers creaminess.
- Vanilla: Contains a hint of antioxidants and is mainly for flavor enhancement.
Serving Ideas and Variations
This chocolate bundt cake is very simple and can be customized for all occasions:
Serving Ideas:
- Classic Pairing: Slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Berry Side: Place fresh berries (strawberries or raspberries) on the side for a tang contrast.
- Powdered Sugar Finish: Sprinkle on top before frosting — it’s sweeter and beautiful too.
- Party Folks: Serve on a cake stand with edible flowers for some festive flair — very “Nothing Bundt Cakes” style.
Variations:
- Bundt in Mocha: Just add 1 tablespoon of instant coffee granules to the batter for a rich chocolate and coffee flavor.
- Nutty Crunch: Use chopped pecans or walnuts instead of the chocolate chips.
- Infuse the Fruit: Substitute preserves (raspberry or cherry) for 1/2 cup before baking for fruity sweetness.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix and ensure your pudding mix is gluten-free as well — perfect for adapting popular bundt cake recipes.
Tips for Ingredient Selection and Storage
- Cake Mix and Pudding: Use premium products for better flavor. Store in a cool, dry place.
- Sour Cream and Cream Cheese: Use full-fat for creamier texture; low-fat as a lighter option. Always check expiration dates and refrigerate.
- Eggs: Use large, fresh eggs. Keep refrigerated for consistency.
- Chocolate Chips: Use semi-sweet or dark for richer taste. Store in an airtight container in a cool area.
- Oil: Fresh canola or vegetable oil works best. Store in a cool, dark spot to avoid spoilage.
Storage Tip: Wrap the cake in plastic wrap before frosting to keep it moist. Add frosting just before serving to maintain shape and texture.
Beverage Pairings
With its rich, chocolatey depth, this bundt cake deserves thoughtfully paired drinks:
- Coffee: Go for medium roast (like a latte) for creamy richness without bitterness.
- Red Wine: A bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot complements the cake’s deep chocolate flavor.
- Cold Milk: A nostalgic, sweet counterbalance — always a classic with nothing bundt cakes recipes.
- Dessert Wine: Port or sweet sherry aligns beautifully with the cake’s richness.
- Tea: Peppermint or chamomile provides a refreshing herbal contrast.
Best Time to Enjoy
This chocolate bundt cake is perfect for:
- Evening Treat: Post-dinner dessert with coffee or wine — ideal for winding down.
- Mid-Afternoon Tea Time: Sweeten your break with a comforting slice.
- Special Occasions: Birthdays, holidays, or parties — this one impresses with size and presentation.
Note: Avoid as a breakfast item due to the high sugar load, which may lead to a mid-morning energy crash.
Conclusion
Chocolate bundt cake with its moist texture and rich frosting is a sure-fire hit with the masses, but surprisingly simple to make. This divine recipe is great for any time of year — whether it’s a get-together or baking for a cozy night in.
From elegant holiday spreads to comforting personal cravings, this homemade chocolate bundt cake delivers. Mix and match with health-conscious ingredients or keep it classic — whatever you choose, this recipe greets every guest with irresistible smiles.
If you’ve been on the hunt for chocolate bundt cake recipes with heart, flavor, and a touch of ease, this might be your new favorite. Try it once, and you’ll understand why Nothing Bundt Cakes has such a following.
