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Chocolate Espresso Bundt Cake

Deeply rich with chocolate flavor, this chocolate espresso bundt cake is improved with the addition of espresso powder. Chocolate and espresso are a perfect match!
Chocolate espresso bundt cake on a cake stand

There is no mistaking that this espresso Bundt cake recipe is all about chocolate. The 6 ounces of unsweetened chocolate gives it the easily recognizable chocolate color and mini chocolate chips hide throughout the cake, but it’s the addition of espresso which deepens the chocolate flavor and makes a wonderful cake.

What ingredients are in espresso Bundt cake?

  • flour, salt, baking soda, espresso powder
  • butter, unsweetened chocolate, brewed espresso
  • sugar, eggs, vanilla, mini chocolate chips

Espresso packs a punch and in this cake recipe, espresso deepens the chocolate flavor. Espresso powder is mixed in with the dry ingredients. Brewed espresso is heated to help the butter and chocolate melt before adding the sugar, eggs, vanilla and mini chips. 

How do you make the chocolate espresso glaze?

Bring on (more!) espresso! The easy glaze icing is made with brewed espresso, butter, sugars, and heavy cream. Now that is an inviting ingredient list!

Tips to baking the perfect chocolate Bundt cake

The key to many Bundt cakes is preparing the pan well so that the cake easily turns out of the cake pan. Often this step is done by greasing the pan with butter and or baking spray then dusting it with flour.

When baking a chocolate cake, don’t use flour to dust your pan. Use cocoa powder. Cocoa powder coats the pan nicely and any excess will blend in with your baked cake. 

Another tip is not to flip the cake out of the Bundt pan as soon as it finishes baking. Give your cake about 10 to 15 minutes to rest once it comes out of the oven. You’ll notice a small sliver of space between the baked cake and the cake tin and there shouldn’t be any need to go around the edges with a knife to loosen it.

Place a plate across the top of the Bundt cake tin and hold firmly. The pan will still be warm so wear an oven glove on the hand that is holding the pan. Flip the cake over in one quick motion. 

Espresso Bundt cake recipe

I first baked with coffee and chocolate in these oatmeal fudge bars and when I came across a recipe for Mississippi Mud Cake in a Bundt form in Lauren Chattman’s book, Cake Keeper Cakes, I knew I had found my starting point for this chocolate creation.

I adapted her recipe to exclude the bourbon and pecans so this cake is no longer Mississipii Mud Cake, but the base of the cakes are relatively the same. I am looking forward to baking my way through more recipes in this cookbook. Each one looks better than the last!

This recipe can make lovely mini chocolate espresso Bundt cakes too. 

Here are more recipes you’ll enjoy with coffee and chocolate flavors

Yield: 16 slices

Chocolate Espresso Bundt Cake

Chocolate espresso bundt cake on a cake stand

Deeply rich with chocolate flavor, this chocolate espresso bundt cake is improved with the addition of espresso powder. Chocolate and espresso are a perfect match!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons espresso (instant powder)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
  • 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 1 cup brewed espresso
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

For the Glaze:

  • 6 Tablespoons butter
  • 4 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons brewed espresso

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare your Bundt pan: Spray the pan with baking spray and dust it with cocoa powder.

Combine the dry ingredients of flour, baking soda, espresso powder, and salt in a bowl. Sift them together. Set aside.

Melt the butter and chocolate with the brewed espresso in a small saucepan over medium heat. Gently whisk until melted and combined. Take off the heat and add the granulated sugar, continue to whisk until well mixed.

In another bowl whisk the eggs and vanilla. Slowly pour in the chocolate mixture and whisk to combine. Add the flour mixture and stir with a spoon until blended. Add the chocolate chips.

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes. Let the cake cool completely (it will pull away from the sides of the pan), then invert it onto a plate.

For The Glaze: Melt the butter with the brown sugar and espresso. Add the cream and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and whisk in the confectioners' sugar. Add more espresso if needed to thin out the glaze. Let it cool before pouring it over the cake.

Notes

Make sure to use cocoa powder rather than flour to prepare your pans. On a dark cake, the excess cocoa powder blends into the cake whereas flour would stand out. Plus this cake flew out of the pan like a charm so I will use this method of preparation again.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1 slice

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 443Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 375mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 3gSugar: 32gProtein: 5g

This data is provided by Nutritionix and is an estimate only.

Did you make this recipe?

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Dee

Tuesday 22nd of June 2021

This is the first time making this cake and I don’t drink espresso so I was clueless about how much I would need. What I didn’t realize is just how much espresso goes into a cup of water. 16 Tablespoons for a cup! 4 Tablespoons in a 1/4 cup. I didn’t have enough espresso. The jar I had bought was 1.94oz. Not enough for your recipe. So if you go to buy for any special for a recipe check the amounts! Lesson learned

Elisa

Sunday 12th of April 2020

This Recipe Sounds Amazing! How Important is it to use Instant Espresso? Do you think regular ground Espresso beans would work as well?

Thanks and warm greetings from Germany

Holly Baker

Sunday 12th of April 2020

Hi there! While I haven't tried it myself, here is a link to directions for making your own espresso powder. Let me know if you give it a try!

Suzanne

Saturday 11th of January 2020

This looks absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing!

Gastronomix

Thursday 7th of March 2013

My word, it sounds delish, though I might keep the bourbon :) Quick question for you- does the glaze dry or does it remain moist/sticky ? Thanks in advance !

Holly @ abakershouse.com

Thursday 7th of March 2013

The glaze remained fairly moist as I recall. Hope you enjoy it!

The Red Apron

Sunday 3rd of February 2013

Mouthwatering!I'll be making this soon.

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