Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is the chocolate cake I come back to time and again. Here’s why it’s a favorite:
- Delicious with or without the ganache drizzle (but why not go all out?)
- Incredibly moist, rich, and chocolatey
- Comes together fast thanks to a cake mix
- Foolproof for beginner and experienced bakers alike
- Crowd-pleasing and always earns rave reviews
- Fancy enough for special occasions but easy enough for weeknights
After you preview the recipe card, be sure to look below for ingredient substitutions, recipe and storage tips, and suggestions for pairings and tasty variations!
Ultimate Chocolate Fudge Bundt Cake
This amazing chocolate cake starts with a cake mix and couldn’t be easier or more decadent.
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Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 308kcal
Ingredients
- 1 chocolate cake mix
- 1 3.4 oz. package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Chocolate ganache for frosting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat 1 chocolate cake mix, 1 3.4 oz. package instant chocolate pudding mix, 1 cup sour cream, 3 eggs, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, and 1/2 cup water until well blended. Fold in 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Spoon batter (it will be thick) into prepared pan.
- Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour.
- Cool for 15 minutes in the pan before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, drizzle cake with Chocolate ganache, if desired.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 85mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g
Keep scrolling for tips, ingredient substitutions, answers to frequently asked questions and more!
Recipe Tips
Here’s how to make sure your cake turns out perfectly every time:
- Grease Well: I swear by Baker’s Joy spray for bundt pans. If you’re greasing by hand, make sure to coat every nook and cranny, then dust lightly with flour.
- Thick Batter: The batter will be thick—don’t worry! Spoon it into your pan and smooth it out a bit.
- Cool Before Turning Out: Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before flipping it onto a rack.
- Ganache Drizzle: If you’re using ganache, wait until the cake has cooled completely. Need a ganache recipe? Try this Chocolate Ganache—it works beautifully here!
Storing & Serving Suggestions
- Store: Keep leftovers tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: This cake freezes really well! Wrap slices individually and thaw at room temperature.
- Serve With: A dollop of whipped cream, fresh raspberries, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it extra special.
Fun Variations to Try
Want to mix things up? Here are a few ways to make this cake your own:
- Peanut Butter Swirl: Drop spoonfuls of peanut butter into the batter before baking and swirl with a knife.
- Mocha Fudge: Replace some of the water with cooled brewed coffee for a deeper chocolate flavor.
- Mint Chocolate: Add a teaspoon of mint extract and use mint chocolate chips.
- Caramel Drizzle: Skip the ganache and drizzle with Homemade Caramel Sauce instead!
144 comments
Viv
I’m making this cake a day ahead of time. Do I pour the ganache on right after I make the cake or right before serving?
Danelle
I’d do it after making the cake, or at least a few hours before serving so the ganache has time to set.
Peg
I made this cake yesterday and oh my it was sooo moist!! I didn’t have but a half cup of sour cream so I added Greek yogurt to make the cup. Then I only had 1/2 cup of chocolate chips so I had some giant dark chocolate candy bars so I decided to cut those up. It was like having chunk chocolate chips in it. It was soo moist we decided to not even put frosting or ganache on it. We did serve with a little ice cream. But yummy! Thanks for the recipe!!!! Next time I’ll have the sour cream and chips but nice to know my substitutions didn’t affect the results at all.
Karyn
I’m making this cake a day ahead of time. Do I pour the ganache on right after I make the cake or right before serving? I’m afraid of making the cake soggy thanks.