Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake

By Becky Hardin

Published Dec 19, 2021

This hot chocolate bundt cake tastes just like your favorite cup of hot cocoa. It’s rich, chocolatey, and topped with marshmallows! Everyone will love the taste (and the look) of this beautiful hot chocolate cake. It’s the perfect dessert to perk up your winter!

Hot Chocolate Cake

This hot chocolate bundt cake recipe will be every chocolate lover’s new favorite dessert. It tastes just as good as it looks, which is unbelievably amazing!

This marshmallow hot chocolate cake is topped with chocolate ganache , marshmallow creme , and more mini marshmallows. It’s so fun to look at, which means it’s perfect for holidays and special occasions. Kids and adults alike will devour this cake!

Why You’ll Love this Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe:

• Chocolatey: There’s no skimping on the chocolate here. This cake is rich, chocolatey, and so delicious!
• Festive: This hot chocolate bundt cake makes the best dessert for winter holidays!
• Cozy : A cup of hot chocolate is the coziest treat in the midst of winter, so just imagine how perfectly cozy this cake will be!

If you like this cake, you’ll love this slow cooker peppermint hot chocolate and this frozen caramel hot chocolate !

What’s the best flour to use for baking?

For this recipe, I used Bob’s Red Mill’s Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour. We have huge packages all around our house during holiday baking. To me, it’s the best on the market.

If you’re looking for a Gluten Free Flour that is amazing, their 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour is absolutely second to none.

I’ve used Bob’s for years. Here are some other recipes I’ve made using their line of amazing baking products:

• Iced Lemon Loaf
• Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Cranberry Bliss Bars
• Gingerbread Pudding Cake
• Easy Churros
• Strawberry Pound Cake
• Pumpkin Pie Baked Oatmeal

How to Make Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

1. Melt the baking chocolate in a saucepan, and combine the ingredients to make the chocolate mixture. Then set it aside to let it cool.
2. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients.
3. Pour cooled chocolate into a stand mixer, and beat in the eggs, one at a time.
4. Add in the other ingredients, one at a time, to combine. Then gently fold in chocolate chips and marshmallows.
5. Pour the batter into the greased bundt cake pan, then bake for 45 minutes at 350°F.
6. Let the cake cool, and make the chocolate ganache.
7. Top the finished hot chocolate cake with marshmallow creme, ganache, and mini marshmallows.
8. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

We are adding dry hot cocoa mix into this cake, so no need to make a cup of hot chocolate (although you might want to sip on one while baking).

You can use any hot cocoa powder here, store-bought or homemade. You can use this hot chocolate mix recipe , without the malted milk powder.

Use a standard 10-inch bundt cake pan for this recipe.

Yes! If you’re making this ahead of time and plan to freeze it whole, I recommend freezing it without the ganache or creme. You can make that when you’re ready to thaw and serve the cake at a later date. It will be best within 2-3 months.

If you love chocolate , you’re going to love this hot chocolate cake! It’s so rich, sweet, and flavorful. So cozy up and indulge in this tasty dessert!

Tips!

• Grease the bundt cake pan and sprinkle it with cocoa powder. This will help prevent sticking so that it comes straight out of the pan in the perfect shape.
• Stir chocolate consistently until it’s fully melted.
• To check for doneness, stick a toothpick into the cake. If it comes out clean, it’s done. If there’s liquid batter, it needs to bake longer.
• Let the cake cool slightly before removing it from the pan, then let it finish cooling on a rack.
• When making the ganache, microwave in 30-second intervals, until fully melted.
• Use a Ziplock/resealable plastic bag to make your own icing bag. Cut a small tip off the corner, and you’ll be able to squeeze out the marshmallow creme.
• Store leftover cake in an airtight container (or in a cake cloche) at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Is this chocolate cake light or dense?

This cake comes out so moist, and perfectly dense. The texture is a little bit lighter than a pound cake, and still quite fluffy.

What kind of baking chocolate is best?

Use a semisweet baking chocolate for this hot chocolate bundt cake recipe. It’s a little less intense than bitter/unsweetened chocolate.

What other toppings go well with this cake?

This cake is topped with chocolate ganache, marshmallow creme, and mini marshmallows. But you can add more/different toppings if you prefer. Try peppermints/candy cane bits, caramel drizzle, powdered sugar, or cocoa powder. Basically, anything you might add to a cup of hot chocolate would be perfect on top of this bundt cake!

More Cake Recipes We Love

• Better Than Sex Cake
• Texas Sheet Cake
• Yellow Cake with Chocolate Buttercream
• Brown Butter Bundt Cake

This hot chocolate bundt cake is sure to be a favorite! I think it’s the perfect cake to serve during the holiday season, but of course, it tastes just as good any time of year.

More Chocolate Dessert Recipes to Try:

• Hot Chocolate Bread Pudding
• Chocolate Butter Cookies
• Mint Chocolate Swiss Roll
• Nutella Stuffed Cookies
• Homemade Hot Cocoa Bombs

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!

Ingredients1x2x3x

For the Cake

• ▢ 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder 4 grams
• ▢ 1 cup water 227 grams
• ▢ ¾ cup unsalted butter 170 grams, cubed (1½ sticks)
• ▢ ¾ cup canola oil 150 grams
• ▢ 4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate 113 grams, finely chopped
• ▢ 1½ cups granulated sugar 300 grams
• ▢ 3 cups All Purpose Flour 408 grams
• ▢ ¾ cup dry hot cocoa mix 114 grams
• ▢ 2½ teaspoons Baking Soda 15 grams
• ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 3 large eggs 150 grams, room temperature
• ▢ ¾ cup buttermilk 170 grams (see note)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 12 grams
• ▢ 1 cup milk chocolate chips 170 grams
• ▢ 1 cup mini marshmallows 43 grams

For the Chocolate Ganache

• ▢ ⅓ cup heavy cream 76 grams
• ▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 28 grams, cubed (¼ stick)
• ▢ 4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate 113 grams, finely chopped

For the Garnish

• ▢ 1 cup marshmallow creme 85 grams
• ▢ Mini Marshmallow Bits (the very tiny marshmallows that come in a shaker), optional

Video

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 10-cup Bundt cake pan and lightly sprinkle with the unsweetened cocoa powder. Set aside. 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• In a medium saucepan, heat the water until warm. 1 cup water
• Add the butter, oil, and chopped semisweet chocolate. Cook on low, stirring constantly, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth, about 3-4 minutes. ¾ cup unsalted butter, ¾ cup canola oil, 4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate
• Turn off the heat and stir in the sugar until smooth. Let cool for 5-10 minutes. 1½ cups granulated sugar
• In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa mix, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. 3 cups All Purpose Flour, ¾ cup dry hot cocoa mix, 2½ teaspoons Baking Soda, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Pour the cooled chocolate mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat in the eggs one at a time until just combined. 3 large eggs
• Slowly add the flour mixture and mix until just combined.
• Add the buttermilk and vanilla extract and mix until just combined. ¾ cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• Fold in the chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. 1 cup milk chocolate chips, 1 cup mini marshmallows
• Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt cake pan.
• Bake the cake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes, then flip it onto a cooling rack. Cool completely before topping with the ganache.
• After the cake cools, make the ganache. Place the heavy cream, butter, and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave these ingredients for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each time until the mixture is melted, until smooth. Let cool for about 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Set aside. ⅓ cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate
• Add the marshmallow creme to a large Ziplock bag and cut off one corner. Squeeze the bag to drizzle the creme on the cooled cake. 1 cup marshmallow creme
• Drizzle the chocolate ganache onto the cake.
• Sprinkle the cake with the marshmallow bits, if desired. Allow the ganache to fully set before slicing and serving. Mini Marshmallow Bits

Equipment

• Kitchen Scale (optional)
• 10-Cup Bundt Pan
• Stand Mixer

Becky’s Tips

• Buttermilk : If you don’t have buttermilk, follow this simple homemade buttermilk recipe .
• Grease the bundt cake pan and sprinkle it with cocoa powder. This will help prevent sticking so that it comes straight out of the pan in the perfect shape.
• Stir chocolate consistently until it’s fully melted.
• To check for doneness, stick a toothpick into the cake. If it comes out clean, it’s done. If there’s liquid batter, it needs to bake longer.
• Let the cake cool slightly before removing it from the pan, then let it finish cooling on a rack.
• When making the ganache, microwave in 30-second intervals, until fully melted.
• Use a Ziplock/resealable plastic bag to make your own icing bag. Cut a small tip off the corner, and you’ll be able to squeeze out the marshmallow creme.
• Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe

Equipment

• Kitchen Scale (optional)
• 10-Cup Bundt Pan
• Stand Mixer

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder 4 grams
• 1 cup water 227 grams
• ¾ cup unsalted butter 170 grams, cubed (1½ sticks)
• ¾ cup canola oil 150 grams
• 4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate 113 grams, finely chopped
• 1½ cups granulated sugar 300 grams
• 3 cups All Purpose Flour 408 grams
• ¾ cup dry hot cocoa mix 114 grams
• 2½ teaspoons Baking Soda 15 grams
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 large eggs 150 grams, room temperature
• ¾ cup buttermilk 170 grams (see note)
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 12 grams
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips 170 grams
• 1 cup mini marshmallows 43 grams

For the Chocolate Ganache

• ⅓ cup heavy cream 76 grams
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 28 grams, cubed (¼ stick)
• 4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate 113 grams, finely chopped

For the Garnish

• 1 cup marshmallow creme 85 grams
• Mini Marshmallow Bits (the very tiny marshmallows that come in a shaker), optional

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 10-cup Bundt cake pan and lightly sprinkle with the unsweetened cocoa powder. Set aside. 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• In a medium saucepan, heat the water until warm. 1 cup water
• Add the butter, oil, and chopped semisweet chocolate. Cook on low, stirring constantly, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth, about 3-4 minutes. ¾ cup unsalted butter, ¾ cup canola oil, 4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate
• Turn off the heat and stir in the sugar until smooth. Let cool for 5-10 minutes. 1½ cups granulated sugar
• In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa mix, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. 3 cups All Purpose Flour, ¾ cup dry hot cocoa mix, 2½ teaspoons Baking Soda, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Pour the cooled chocolate mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat in the eggs one at a time until just combined. 3 large eggs
• Slowly add the flour mixture and mix until just combined.
• Add the buttermilk and vanilla extract and mix until just combined. ¾ cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• Fold in the chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. 1 cup milk chocolate chips, 1 cup mini marshmallows
• Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt cake pan.
• Bake the cake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes, then flip it onto a cooling rack. Cool completely before topping with the ganache.
• After the cake cools, make the ganache. Place the heavy cream, butter, and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave these ingredients for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each time until the mixture is melted, until smooth. Let cool for about 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Set aside. ⅓ cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate
• Add the marshmallow creme to a large Ziplock bag and cut off one corner. Squeeze the bag to drizzle the creme on the cooled cake. 1 cup marshmallow creme
• Drizzle the chocolate ganache onto the cake.
• Sprinkle the cake with the marshmallow bits, if desired. Allow the ganache to fully set before slicing and serving. Mini Marshmallow Bits

Video

Notes

• Buttermilk : If you don’t have buttermilk, follow this simple homemade buttermilk recipe .
• Grease the bundt cake pan and sprinkle it with cocoa powder. This will help prevent sticking so that it comes straight out of the pan in the perfect shape.
• Stir chocolate consistently until it’s fully melted.
• To check for doneness, stick a toothpick into the cake. If it comes out clean, it’s done. If there’s liquid batter, it needs to bake longer.
• Let the cake cool slightly before removing it from the pan, then let it finish cooling on a rack.
• When making the ganache, microwave in 30-second intervals, until fully melted.
• Use a Ziplock/resealable plastic bag to make your own icing bag. Cut a small tip off the corner, and you’ll be able to squeeze out the marshmallow creme.
• Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.

Nutrition

By Becky Hardin

Published Jul 12, 2017

This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.

Essential Grocery List

It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!

It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.

However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.

In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.

I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List

What to Buy at the Grocery Store

This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.

When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.

So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!

Fresh Produce

• Apples
• Bananas
• Strawberries
• Avocados
• Bell Peppers
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Garlic
• Lemons/Limes
• Onion
• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Basil
• Potatoes
• Spinach
• Tomatoes

GRAINS

• Breadcrumbs
• Pasta
• Quinoa
• Rice
• Sandwich Bread
• Tortillas

MEAT/PROTEIN

• Chicken
• Eggs
• Ground Beef
• Sliced Turkey
• Lunch Meat

DAIRY

• Butter
• Sliced Cheese
• Shredded Cheese
• Milk
• Sour Cream
• Greek Yogurt

BAKING GOODS

• Baking powder
• Baking Soda
• Granulated Sugar
• Brown Sugar
• Flour
• Honey
• Vanilla Extract
• Dry Yeast
• Chocolate Chips
• Cocoa Powder
• Powdered Sugar

FREEZER

• Fruit and Berries
• Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
• Juice Concentrate
• Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
• Pie Crust
• Cookie Dough

CANNED/DRIED GOODS

• Chicken stock/broth
• Salsa
• Diced Tomatoes
• Jam/Jelly
• Peanut Butter
• Pasta Sauce
• Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
• Soups
• Tuna
• Green Chiles
• Canned Veggies
• Coffee or Tea

Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods

CONDIMENTS/SPICES

• Black Pepper
• Chili Powder
• Cinnamon
• Crushed Red Pepper
• Cumin
• Garlic Powder
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayo
• Nutmeg
• Paprika
• Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
• Soy Sauce
• Steak Sauce
• Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
• Salad Dressings

OILS/VINEGARS

• Apple cider vinegar
• Balsamic vinegar
• Coconut Oil
• Olive Oil
• Vegetable/Canola Oil
• Red Wine Vinegar
• White Vinegar
• Cooking Wine
• White Wine Vinegar

SNACKS

• Crackers
• Nuts
• Quick Oats
• Popcorn
• Tortilla Chips
• Cereal

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!

Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!

I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!

Stock Your Kitchen

Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!

Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On

Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)

Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen

Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen

Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use

26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them

What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?

Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)

How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)

Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart

How to Cut Recipes in Half