Joanna Gaines Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe is a masterclass in indulgent home baking. Known for her ability to create desserts that feel both rustic and refined, Joanna Gaines delivers a cake with an incredibly moist, velvety crumb thanks to the addition of buttermilk and oil. The cocoa is “bloomed” in boiling water to deepen the chocolate intensity, while a hint of cinnamon adds a warm, subtle complexity. Finished with a glossy, rich chocolate ganache, this cake is a showstopping centerpiece that is far superior to any store-bought alternative and surprisingly foolproof to make.
Joanna Gaines Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
- For the Ganache:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups chocolate chips

How To Make Joanna Gaines Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe
- Prep the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard-sized Bundt pan thoroughly. Spread a thin layer of shortening into every crevice, then dust with flour, tapping out the excess. This step is critical to ensure the cake releases perfectly.
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.
- Boil the chocolate mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the oil, cocoa powder, and water. Whisk constantly until the mixture comes to a gentle boil, then remove from heat immediately.
- Combine batter: Pour the hot chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Stir until just combined.
- Add wet ingredients: Stir in the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk the batter until it is smooth and well combined. Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool and invert: Let the cake cool in the pan for exactly 5 minutes. Then, carefully invert it onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Make the ganache: Place the heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 2 minutes until simmering. Pour the chocolate chips into the hot cream and let sit for 5 minutes. Whisk until shiny and smooth.
- Finish and serve: Spoon or drizzle the ganache over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with extra mini chocolate chips if desired.

Recipe Tips
- The 5-Minute Rule: You must invert the cake after exactly 5 minutes of cooling. If you flip it too soon, it may break; if you wait too long, the sugars will solidify and glue the cake to the pan.
- The Release Guarantee: Don’t trust non-stick sprays alone. The old-school method of shortening followed by flour is the only way to guarantee your intricate Bundt design comes out cleanly.
- Blooming the Cocoa: Boiling the water, butter, and cocoa powder isn’t just to melt the butter; it “blooms” the cocoa, releasing its full flavor potential and creating a darker, richer cake.
- The Doneness Test: Because this is a moist cake, the toothpick shouldn’t come out bone dry. Look for a few moist crumbs clinging to it—that’s the sign of a perfect texture.
What To Serve With Joanna Gaines Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe
This Joanna Gaines Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe is a decadent dessert that pairs perfectly with items that balance its intense chocolate flavor. A dollop of lightly sweetened Whipped Cream or a scoop of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream cuts through the richness of the ganache. For a sophisticated finish, serve it with fresh Raspberries or Strawberries, as the tart fruit provides a refreshing contrast to the sweet cake. If serving at a brunch or afternoon gathering, a strong cup of hot Coffee or an Espresso is the ideal companion to wash down the dense, fudgy crumb.

How To Store Joanna Gaines Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe
- Refrigerate: This cake can be stored at room temperature for 2 days, but for longer storage, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: You can freeze the cake frosted or unfrosted. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Joanna Gaines Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 542 kcal
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Protein: 5g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, you can divide the batter between two 9-inch round cake pans or a 9×13 inch baking pan, but you will need to reduce the baking time to about 30-35 minutes.
Bundt pans are notorious for sticking. This usually happens if the pan wasn’t greased thoroughly enough, or if the cake cooled in the pan for too long (over 10 minutes), causing the sugars to harden.
You can, but buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to make the cake tender. A good substitute is adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
Try More Recipes:
- Joanna Gaines Tres Leches Cake Recipe
- Joanna Gaines Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe
- Joanna Gaines Pancake Recipe
Joanna Gaines Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe
Description
Joanna Gaines Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe features a moist, buttermilk-enriched chocolate sponge with a hint of cinnamon, covered in a silky chocolate ganache. It is a stunning, foolproof dessert perfect for holidays and birthdays.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Grease and flour a Bundt pan thoroughly.
- Whisk flour, sugar, soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Boil butter, oil, cocoa, and water; pour over dry mix.
- Stir in buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla; fold in chips.
- Bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes.
- Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then invert onto a rack.
- Heat cream, pour over chips, sit 5 minutes, then whisk.
- Drizzle ganache over cooled cake.
Notes
- You must grease the Bundt pan with shortening and flour, not just butter, to ensure the complex ridges of the cake release without breaking.
- Do not overmix the batter once the eggs and flour are combined, or the cake will become tough instead of tender.
- Pouring the ganache while the cake is completely cool ensures it sets into a thick, glossy glaze rather than melting into the sponge.
