Since then, I have made it so many times and received so many compliments each time I shared it with people, that I decided to update it with new photographs, notes, and more of a “Christmas look”. First thing you need to know – and you can take my word for it – this cake is actually very easy to make. As long as you have a 10-cup bundt pan, you are good to go. You do not need to have a fancy mixer or any other baking equipment to make it. Basically, you mix wet ingredients with dry ingredients, pour it into a bundt pan, and bake it. It is that easy. I am telling you this because last week as I was photographing it, I posted a picture of it on Instagram with a note saying, “This is a simple chocolate cake dressed up for Christmas.” Then, a couple of good friends joked about it, as they were skeptical of my definition of “simple”.But seriously, it may look fancy but it is really easy to make. Secondly, I know some of you might be nervous about getting cakes out of a bundt pan in one piece. Believe me, I feel you. However, please know that as long as you generously butter and flour the pan, and wait for the cake to cool down to room temperature (or to a level where you can comfortably hold the pan with your hands without burning yourself), you are good to go. Oh, and also – you need to have a good recipe. But no worries, this chocolate bundt cake recipe is 100% foolproof.
How to make a chocolate cake from scratch
The recipe for chocolate bundt cake has 3 folds. First, you prep the batter: To do so, you start by melting some butter with cocoa powder and water. This is the “chocolate” part of the recipe. I recommend doing this at the very beginning as you’ll need it to cool down while you are getting the other ingredients. While it is cooling down, mix together sour cream and vanilla and set them aside. Sour cream is crucial for this chocolate bundt cake to be moist. In a large bowl (this would be the bowl you will mix everything so pick one accordingly), whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, and baking soda. Second, pour in the now-cooled cocoa-butter mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold it in in two batches. Whisk in the eggs one at a time and mix until fully incorporated. Third, oil and flour a 10-cup bundt cake pan generously. Pour in the batter into the bundt pan.
How long does it take to bake a chocolate cake
This easy chocolate bundt cake recipe takes between 40-45 minutes to bake at a preheated 350 degree oven. However, I recommend testing the doneness by doing the toothpick test to make sure that it is fully baked.
How long to let cake cool in the bundt pan
It is imperative that you let the cake cool for at least 30 minutes for it to come out of the bundt pan in one piece. In my experiments, I found that 30 minutes is usually enough, but if you have time and don’t mind waiting, I recommend letting it fully cool to room temperature before inverting it onto a plate.
A Word on using dutch-processed cocoa powder
I wanted to take a moment here and mention the importance of using Dutch processed cocoa powder in this recipe. If you are a regular baker you probably know that it is NOT the same thing with regular cocoa powder. As a matter of fact, if you substitute Dutch-processed version with regular cocoa powder, this sour cream chocolate cake will have a very tart and acidic taste. Luckily, nowadays most supermarkets sell Dutch-processed cocoa powder. If you can’t find it, you can also order it online. This is the brand (affiliate link) I used in my chocolate bundt cake recipe here.
How to make chocolate glaze for bundt cake
The last step in this recipe is making the chocolate glaze and all the fun decorations on top. The chocolate glaze I used in this recipe is the one that I use every time I need to glaze anything with chocolate. It is made by melting baking chocolate with honey by pouring hot (boiling) heavy cream and whisking until smooth. You can certainly make it with granulated sugar only, but I highly recommend using honey as well as I think it adds another layer of flavor to the whole recipe. This sauce is somewhat thick, but if you want a thinner (more pourable) chocolate glaze for this bundt cake, simply increase the amount of heavy cream you use in the recipe until it reaches the consistency you want.
How to decorate a chocolate bundt cake
Last but not least, since it is December, for the this updated version, I wanted to dress it up appropriately for the season and turn it into Christmas bundt cake recipe that you can easily make in your own kitchen. To decorate it, I made sugared cranberries that I found in Food Network Magazine. Then I placed them on my bundt cake after I smothered it with chocolate. To finish it off, I sprinkled it with pistachios and some baby basil leaves (though basil leaves for more for the photos). While it ended up being perfectly dressed for the season, certainly one that you can add in your Christmas bundt cake recipes collection, you can easily decorate it with anything you have on hand. Alternatively, you can use fresh berries, sliced oranges, or go all chocolate and top it off with mint chocolate. Seriously, use your imagination, sky is the limit.
How long does bundt cake last
This cake will last for up to 2 days on the kitchen counter as long as it is kept in an airtight container. I use a cake stand with a glass lid to cover it, similar to this one (affiliate link).
Can I freeze this chocolate bundt cake
You can freeze this bundt cake after it is fully cooled down to room temperature. If you decide to do so, I recommend: Whether you make it for the holiday season like I did or for a fun birthday party gathering, this easy chocolate bundt cake recipe is guaranteed to impress.
If You Liked This Simple Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe, You Might Also Like
Chocolate Peanut Butter GlobsFlourless Chocolate CupcakesNutella Sandwich CookiesReally Good Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea SaltChocolate Almond BarkAlmond Flour Chocolate CakeVegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Whipped Ganache – From Vanilla and BeanOne-Bowl Teff Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting – From Bojon Gourmet
The recipe for the chocolate bundt cake is adapted from Bi-Rite Market’s Eat Good Food cookbook.
