Calling all chocolate lovers, this death by chocolate cake is for you! The best chocolate bundt cake of all time, I can promise you it won't disappoint!
This Double Chocolate Cake Recipe is amazingly delicious!
Our Death by Chocolate Bundt Cake is considered one of the best desserts by many because of its incredible combination of rich and indulgent chocolate flavors, perfect moist consistency, its striking appearance, and its versatility.
If you need a dessert to wow a crowd, this is the recipe for you.
Death By Chocolate Cake
I grew up eating this cake on my Dad's birthday and other special occasions and it is the most moist and decadent little slice of heaven you will ever partake of. Be warned, this cake is not for the faint of heart (hence the name)! Real chocolate lovers only, please. Also, I should mention that there has never been an easier cake to throw together in the history of the universe! Amen.
If you are a fellow choc-a-holic then you also need to add our easy homemade brownies and our double chocolate chip cookies to your list! Or you can find all our yummy dessert recipes here.
Why you'll love this Death by Chocolate Cake Recipe
The truth about this cake is it is a bakery quality masterpiece for a tenth of the price. It is beautiful, flavorful, moist, and feeds a crowd. Simply put, you need this recipe in your cake arsenal.
If you prefer cream cheese frosting to the chocolate sauce drizzle, GO FOR IT. Our family sincerely loves it both ways and we like to switch things up!
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cake ingredients
- Box Devils Food Cake
- 3.9 oz. Box Instant Chocolate Pudding
- Water
- Oil
- Eggs
- Sour Cream
- 12 oz Bag Chocolate Chips
- Chocolate Syrup To Garnish
- Powdered Sugar To Garnish
- Shortening & Flour To Grease Pan
How to make Death by Chocolate Cake
Here are the super simple steps to making your own death by chocolate cake!
- Add all ingredients except chocolate chips into a bowl and stir until their are no dry clumps.
- Add in chocolate chips and stir until just combined.
- Properly grease your bundt pan using shortening and flour and add in your batter.
- Bake at 375 for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Let cake cool on wire rack for 20 minutes before flipping.
Serving Death by Chocolate Cake Bundt
- Prepare the Cake: Ensure that your Death by Chocolate Bundt Cake has cooled completely in the pan before attempting to remove it. This will help it maintain its shape and prevent it from sticking to the pan.
- Release the Cake: Gently run a butter knife around the edges of the cake to loosen it from the sides of the bundt pan. Place a serving platter or cake stand upside down on top of the bundt pan.
- Flip the Cake: Carefully and confidently, flip the bundt pan and platter or cake stand together to release the cake. The cake should now be sitting on the serving platter with the beautifully shaped side facing up.
- Garnish (Optional): You can enhance the presentation by dusting the cake with powdered sugar or cocoa powder. To do this, place a fine-mesh sieve or sifter over the cake and lightly sprinkle the desired powder over the top for a decorative finish.
- Slice and Serve: Use a sharp cake server or knife to cut slices of the Death by Chocolate Bundt Cake. To maintain the cake's elegant appearance, slice it cleanly without disturbing the shape. You can cut generous or smaller portions, depending on your guests' preferences.
- Add Garnish (Optional): If desired, serve each slice of cake with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of ice cream, or some fresh berries on the side. These garnishes can complement the richness of the chocolate cake and add a touch of freshness.
Should you let your bundt cake cool before flipping it?
Yes. After removing from the oven place your pan on a wire rack to cool. For this recipe, allow cake to cool 20 minutes before flipping. This gives the cake time to firm up so you can flip it without leaving pieces behind. I like to flip my cake directly onto a cake stand or cake carrier.
Can I use cream cheese frosting instead of chocolate sauce?
Absolutely! Piping cream cheese down the sides of a bundt cake is so pretty and also tastes delicious! Here is a good recipe for cream cheese frosting.
How to store Death by Chocolate Bundt Cake
To keep your Death by Chocolate Bundt Cake fresh and moist for as long as possible, it's essential to store it properly. Here's how to store a Death by Chocolate Bundt Cake:
Room Temperature:
- Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool completely in the bundt pan or on a wire rack after baking. This prevents condensation from forming inside the cake container.
- Cover Tightly: Once the cake is completely cool, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Ensure that the wrap is sealed well around the cake to prevent air from entering.
- Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Place the wrapped cake in a cool, dry area at room temperature. It's essential to keep it away from direct sunlight, heat sources, or areas with high humidity, as these conditions can cause the cake to deteriorate more quickly.
- Consume Promptly: A Death by Chocolate Bundt Cake stored at room temperature is best enjoyed within 2-3 days to maintain its freshness and texture. Beyond that time, it may start to dry out.
Refrigeration (Optional):
If you need to store the cake for a more extended period or if your kitchen is particularly warm and humid, you can choose to refrigerate it:
- Cool and Wrap: Allow the cake to cool completely in the bundt pan or on a wire rack. Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Refrigerate: Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container or a large resealable plastic bag to protect it from absorbing odors in the refrigerator. Seal the container or bag tightly.
- Chill: Store the wrapped cake in the refrigerator. Refrigeration can help extend the cake's shelf life, but it may become slightly denser due to the cold temperature.
- Enjoy Promptly: A refrigerated Death by Chocolate Bundt Cake can stay fresh for up to a week, but it's best enjoyed within the first few days for optimal taste and texture.
Freezing (Optional):
If you want to store the cake for an even longer period, you can freeze it:
- Cool and Wrap: Allow the cake to cool completely in the bundt pan or on a wire rack. Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil.
- Label and Date: Write the date on the foil or label the cake container to keep track of its freezing time.
- Freeze: Place the wrapped cake in the freezer. You can freeze it for up to 2-3 months.
- Thaw: When you're ready to enjoy the cake, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. Once thawed, you can warm individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds if desired.
Double Chocolate Cake Recipe FAQs
Now before we get to the printable recipe card and a video tutorial, I want to quickly answer a few frequently asked questions!
The term "Death by Chocolate" is used to describe a variety of chocolate-rich desserts and dishes, including this Death by Chocolate bundt cake, Death by Chocolate brownies, Death by Chocolate ice cream, and more. The name is typically given to desserts that are incredibly indulgent, decadent, and intensely chocolate-flavored, often to the point where they may be considered "lethal" due to their richness.
In essence, "Death by Chocolate" is a playful and humorous way of emphasizing the intensity and richness of chocolate in a dessert, and it has become a beloved name for chocolate lovers seeking the ultimate chocolate experience.
If you have never baked a cake with sour cream before, you have officially struck the gold mine in this post! You will never go back. It will make your cake moist and delicious, all without thinning your cake batter! It also helps control browning, and activates baking soda.
A bundt cake's unique shape can make a beautiful statement on any table. However, because of that shape, more of the cakes surface is exposed to heat when baking. Good bundt cakes will always be super moist in order to combat this. Also, it is crucial to properly grease your bundt pan to avoid burning your cake or leaving chunks in the pan when you go to remove your cake.
Our death by chocolate cake is not bitter, but it can vary depending on the specific recipe and the chocolate used. The name "Death by Chocolate" usually refers to a cake that is incredibly rich, indulgent, and intensely chocolate-flavored, but it doesn't necessarily imply bitterness.
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If you make this recipe and like it we'd love for you to leave a positive comment and review! They mean so much to us.
Death By Chocolate Bundt Cake
Video
Equipment
- bundt pan
Ingredients
- 1 Box Devils Food Cake
- 1 3.9 oz. Box Instant Chocolate Pudding
- ½ Cup Water
- ½ Cup Oil
- 4 Eggs
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 12 oz Bag Chocolate Chips
- Chocolate Syrup To Garnish
- Powdered Sugar To Garnish
- Shortening & Flour To Grease Pan
Instructions
- Combine cake mix, pudding mix, water, oil, eggs and sour cream. Whisk until well combined and there are no dry clumps. Add in your chocolate chips and mix until just combined.
- Grease your bundt pan well. I prefer to do this by coating with a very thin layer of shortening and then dusting with flour. Properly greasing your pan is critical to easily removing your cake from the pan, as well as not burning the outer edge of your cake, don't skip this step!
- Pour your cake batter into greased bunt pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 45-50 minutes. When cake is done, a toothpick or fork will come out mostly clean.
- Leave in pan until completely cooled. After plating cake, drizzle with chocolate syrup and a dash of powdered sugar to garnish!
Notes
Should you let your bundt cake cool before flipping it?
Yes. After removing from the oven place your pan on a wire rack to cool. For this recipe, allow cake to cool 20 minutes before flipping. This gives the cake time to firm up so you can flip it without leaving pieces behind. I like to flip my cake directly onto a cake stand or cake carrier.Can you freeze a chocolate bundt cake?
Yes! I freeze this cake before adding garnishes. Allow cake to cool and then wrap with saran wrap or store in freezer safe container. Saves in freezer for up to six weeks. Move cake to fridge to thaw overnight. Once ready to serve, garnish with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar.Can I use cream cheese frosting instead of chocolate sauce?
Absolutely! Piping cream cheese down the sides of a bundt cake is so pretty and also tastes delicious! Here is a good recipe for cream cheese frosting.Nutrition
Chocoholics unite!
This post was originally published March 3, 2014 and has been updated with new photography, a video, and more detailed information.
Roger
All my chocolate lovers want this cake for their birthday. I serve with a dollop of cherry pie filling at the side. Makes a nice presentation and everyone comments about how the two go so well together. This is a great recipe that is easy to prepare and always comes out wonderfully.
Jessica
What a great idea Roger! Thanks for sharing, we are so glad you love the recipe!
Peggy James
Oh my goodness this is absolutely perfect a chocolate lovers cake for sure
Danielle
I've done this multiple times and it is always a major hit with everyone! Now I want to try it with mini Bundt Cakes. How long should I bake it?
Jessica
Yay Danielle we are so glad to hear you love the recipe! Mini bundt cakes should be between 20-25 minutes, or until the middle is springy when you touch it. Good luck!
Sharon
This chocolate cake is FABULOUS! I made it for a group gathering celebrating 3 birthdays. Everyone LOVED it. One of the guests said “my birthday is in December. I want this for my birthday cake”. For all chocolate lovers. 🎂
Sarah
Right!? Our family is obsessed too! It's dangerous how good it is!
Kiran
Do you use semi sweet chocolate chips for this recipe?
Sarah
Yes!
Lynnette Beste
Not only is this cake delicious, it's easy! I made it for Easter, and my family thought I spent a lot of time on it, they loved it so much. Definitely a cake to keep for those days when you just need chocolate! (For me, that's every day.)
PD
I literally couldn't stop dreaming about this cake after eating it! It was to die for! Thank you!
Jessica
Oh my gosh you just made our day! Thanks so much friend.
Anna
I don’t usually like chocolate cake. But this is a different story.
Jessica
Yay! That makes me so happy!
Kim
Amazing. So worth making!
Liz
I love chocolate cake and i love bundt cakes- the combination here is to die for!
Alex
How would you switch this into cupcakes?
Mary
Could I do 1/4 coffee and 1/4 kalua in place of the water?
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
I'm sure you could and that would be yummy! I've never tried it though so let me know how it goes if you do!
Chef Andi
I have and it’s yummy. So is Bailey’s
Amazon Queen
Yum! And double Yum!
I made it even more chocolatety!
I added a 1/2 cup of chocolate jimmies to the batter and I made it into 2 layers. When cooled I then frosted it with a white chocolate frosting. I then covered the entire sides with mini chocolate chips. Then on the top of the cake I place Hersey milk chocolate kisses alternating with their kisses of white chocolate hugs.
Connie Ramirez
I love this recipe, my only suggestion is to use coffee in place of water...
Swantontomato
I have been making this cake for years and family often requests it, but with one difference. Instead of 1 cup of water, reduce to half cup and add half cup of Kahlua.Even a quarter cup will do. You won't believe the difference in the flavor.
Colleen Pastoor
Mmm, I'm going save this recipe for the next birthday (that way I don't eat it all to myself!)
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Haha I know! I had to invite ppl over for dinner to share it with us for that very reason! It was a fun excuse to get together though
Sara@SewLOVED
Oooo this looks to die for! I'll definitely be trying this one out very soon!
Amber @ DessertNowDinnerLater!
Glad this cake is not at my house because I just re-dedicated myself to getting back on track with my eating... LOOKS AMAZING!!!
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Haha me too! Thank goodness a tiny slice is all you need to be satisfied with this one! Thanks Amber
aimee
oh my goodness this looks so amazing! Im a huge chocolate lover, but my husband might realize I made the cake for myself if I make it for his birthday next week! ;)
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Haha aw shoot! I'm sure you can invent a reason to make it soon!
Lacey
I've used this same recipe before and loved it! Thanks for the reminder of how awesome it is--it's been too long since I've made it. I love how pretty and impressive it looks in a bundt pan. No one can tell how little work it took!
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
I know! That is the best part, only one dirty bowl and it looks gourmet!! Thanks for the comment love