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!

overhead image of chocolate bundt cake topped with chocolate ganache, marshmallow creme, and mini marshmallows on a white serving tray before slicing

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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!

step by step photos for how to make hot chocolate bundt cake
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slice of hot chocolate bundt cake on a white plate with a fork

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:

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!
bag of Bob's Red Mill All-Purpose Flour
chocolate bundt cake topped with chocolate ganache, marshmallow creme, and mini marshmallows on a white serving tray before slicing
Do I use hot chocolate powder or liquid hot chocolate?

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).

Can I use homemade hot chocolate mix in this recipe?

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.

What size bundt pan should I use?

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

Can I freeze this bundt cake?

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.

slice of hot chocolate bundt cake on a white plate

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. 
slice of hot chocolate bundt cake on a white plate with a fork
overhead image of chocolate bundt cake topped with chocolate ganache, marshmallow creme, and mini marshmallows on a white serving tray before slicing

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

slice of hot chocolate bundt cake on a white plate with a fork

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:

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

Recipe Card

Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe

4.55 from 24 votes
Prep: 40 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Cool Time: 1 hour
Total: 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Author: Becky Hardin
featured hot chocolate bundt cake
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!
Save this recipe!
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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
  • cups granulated sugar 300 grams
  • 3 cups All Purpose Flour 408 grams
  • ¾ cup dry hot cocoa mix 114 grams
  • 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

  • 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
    ingredients for hot chocolate bundt cake
  • 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.
    hot chocolate bundt cake after baking without toppings on a white serving tray
  • 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

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.
Storage: Store hot chocolate bundt cake in an airtight container (or in a cake cloche) at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving: 1sliceCalories: 722kcalCarbohydrates: 82gProtein: 8gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 374mgPotassium: 275mgFiber: 4gSugar: 48gVitamin A: 612IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 4mg

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

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.55 from 24 votes (24 ratings without comment)
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Cathy
Cathy
April 2, 2022 11:06 am

Is there a mistake in your instructions. In #’s 13, 14, 15. It makes it sound like the marshmallow creme goes on 1st then the ganache.

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 4, 2022 11:01 am
Reply to  Cathy

Thanks for letting us know!