This Chocolate Kahlua Bundt Cake is a rich, from-scratch dessert made with cocoa, espresso, and coffee liqueur, finished with a smooth chocolate glaze. It's the kind of cake that feels right at home on a holiday table or served after a casual dinner with friends.
Why You'll Love Chocolate Kahlua Bundt Cake
Deep flavor: cocoa, espresso, and Kahlua work together to create a bold chocolate cake that isn't overly sweet.
Simple prep: everything comes together in one bowl with a hand mixer, making this an easy Kahlua cake from scratch.
Great for sharing: this cake slices beautifully and works well for entertaining or gifting.
Key Ingredients for Kahlua Chocolate Bundt Cake
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
- Espresso powder: adds concentrated coffee flavor that deepens the chocolate.
- Buttermilk: helps create a tender crumb and balances the richness of the cocoa.
- Kahlua coffee liqueur: brings smooth coffee notes to both the cake and the glaze.
- Baking cocoa: gives the cake its chocolate base without overpowering sweetness.
- Brown sugar: adds depth and a hint of caramel flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Brewed strong coffee can replace the espresso powder and boiling water if needed.
- Whole milk with a splash of vinegar can stand in for buttermilk.
- A coffee-flavored liqueur similar to Kahlua will work if that's what you have on hand.
Variations on Chocolate Kahlua Bundt Cake
- Add chocolate chips to the batter for extra texture.
- Finish the cake with a dusting of powdered sugar instead of the glaze for a simpler presentation.
- Stir a pinch of chili powder into the cocoa for a subtle warm note.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Kahlua Cake
- Be sure you are baking at 325°F so the cake cooks evenly without drying out.
- Let the cake cool briefly before inverting to keep the bundt shape intact.
- Spoon the Kahlua over the cake slowly so it absorbs evenly.
How to Store
Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For best texture, let refrigerated slices sit at room temperature before serving.
Boozy Bundt Cake FAQ's
The alcohol in the cake batter will mostly evaporate during the 45-minute bake time. However, because you drizzle extra Kahlua over the warm cake, those components will retain their alcohol content.
To ensure a clean release, generously coat your 10-inch fluted pan with non-stick cooking spray and a light dusting of flour before adding the batter. Let the cake cool in the pan for exactly 10 minutes before inverting it onto a rack.
If you don't have espresso powder, you can substitute the boiling water and powder with 1-½ cups of very strong brewed coffee.
Serving Suggestions for Chocolate Kahlua Bundt Cake
Serve this Chocolate Kahlua Bundt Cake with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream or a dollop of homemade whipped cream for a classic pairing. It's also great alongside a cup of coffee!
More Recipes You'll Love
If you enjoy rich chocolate desserts, you might like my Chocolate Ganache Tart with Fresh Raspberries for a fruity contrast, or my Brownie Mousse Cake when you are craving layers of chocolate. For those who love chocolate and peanut butter combos, try my Chocolate Bundt Cake with Peanut Butter Caramel Drizzle, and for boozy cake fans, try my Irish Cream Pound Cake recipe.
There's nothing better than a rich, coffee-infused chocolate cake. If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and share your photos by tagging me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your beautiful bakes!
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Kahlua Bundt Cake
Equipment
- Small microwave safe bowl
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Ingredients
For the bundt cake:
- 2 tablespoons espresso powder
- 1½ cups boiling water
- 4 large eggs , room temperature
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup Kahlua coffee liqueur
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup baking cocoa
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the chocolate glaze
- 2 tablespoons Kahlua coffee liqueur
- 2 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Generously coat a 10-inch fluted bundt cake pan with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle with flour and set aside.
- In a small bowl, dissolve espresso powder in boiling water. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer on low speed, mix the eggs, buttermilk, ½ cup Kahlua liqueur, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and coffee mixture until well blended.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until cake batter is smooth.
- Pour batter into prepared bundt pan and smooth batter out evenly in the pan.
- Bake 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Remove bundt cake from oven and let cake cool in the pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert cake onto cooling rack and continue to cool for 15 minutes.
- Using a spoon, drizzle the top of the cake with remaining Kahlua. Cool cake completely.
For the glaze:
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate with sweetened condensed milk and stir to combine until smooth.
- If glaze is too thick, stir in 1-2 teaspoons of milk to achieve a spreading consistency. Spread chocolate glaze over top of cake.
honeyb says
I used Almond Milk 🙂 Thanks!
Chat Aguilar-Daplas says
Love Kahlua and mocha combo! Did you use almond milk or buttermilk?
Rachael says
Sue is a lucky lady, this looks and sounds fantastic!
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
Oh my goodness!! This sounds fabulous with the kahlua!! Love it!
Erica S (EricasRecipes.com) says
You got me with the photos, but then I see there's Kahlua! WOW LOVE this cake - it looks soooo delicious!!!
Meg says
I stole one of your pics because I gave you the Holy Yum award tonight! I hope that is OK! Congrats and feel free to display your award or share about it if you would like!
Cakelaw says
A delicious looking chocolate cake which is low in calories - fab! Your co-worker is very lucky to get a cake and a present.
Megan says
This sounds heavenly! Bookmarked!
recipes2share says
Great cake & what a blessing to have such a good friend as Sue!
CookiePie says
Oh WOW - that cake looks AMAZING!!!! Lucky lucky co-worker!
Di says
Wow, that looks fabulous! And I love baking birthday cakes for people at work.
Meg says
That frosting looks out of this world! I love Kahlua with chocolate!
Matt says
Coffee and chocolate are a match made in culinary heaven. The Kahlua/chocolate icing just puts the whole thing over the top!
Carrian says
Ok, that looks amazing!!!
Foong says
Yummy, that looks really, really good!
gail says
mmmm - the ONLY way to make chocolate cake - with some sort of coffee element...mmm 🙂
noble pig says
Oh wow, that's really incredible! It looks so rich and moist!
Jenny says
Now that is what I call a gorgeous cake! Love it and want a slice!
Annie says
That cake looks so delicious and moist! And for a coffee addict like me - perfect!
Stacey Snacks says
I don't need an excuse to eat cake!
I will be back to my old tricks by the weekend!
That looks delish!
PS your pear tart is gorgeous too!
Stacey Snacks
Melissa says
We eat cake all the time with no excuse. 😉 This looks super yummy!
Alyson's Wonderland says
Oh goodness, that looks so good!
shellyfish says
You are such a great friend, and so is your co-worker - what a wonderful work ambiance.
Katie says
What a great coworker you are!
Pam says
It looks so moist and delicious. I love that you add Kahlua to the frosting.
Diana says
What a special friend you have at work! The cake looks delicious.
Marjie says
Sounds like glorious indulgence to me. I don't need any excuse for cake, other than, "Well, it's Tuesday!"
Lisa says
Delicious looking cake. Don't you just love facebook?
Robin Sue says
I am dying for chocolate now. That cake looks so rich and moist. My Bday is in May if you ever get the urge to bake another cake like this. Wink.
Hillary says
I would love an excuse to make a cake right now...unfortunately I know too many people with summer birthdays. Your cake looks awesome!
pinkstripes says
The birthday cake looks absolutely amazing. I can't believe you were up at 4:30 am baking. Facebook is wonderful! 😛
Gera says
There's no need an excuse to make an awesome cake like that just stunning 🙂
Long time since mocha for me I'll try it!
Btw facebook it seems useful Shelby 😉
Gera .:. sweetsfoods
Bunny says
You can see how moist the cake is! You've gotta love that! It looks delicious Shelby!
Creative One says
It is nice to have coworkers who are so thoughtful. The cake looks delicious. I would love to have a cake like this for my birthday!
Bellini Valli says
It sounds like you work with a great bunch HoneyB.Enjoying work is so important!!
Dawn says
Mocha...I just love mocha and haven't made anything mocha for ages. That frosting looks so good.
natalia says
This cake is so good-looking ! I can see you baking at 4 AM !!! How is your nice daughter in law ?? The pear tart is terrific !Baci
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
Wow, that cake looks hyper luscious! Yummy!
Cheers,
Rosa
Lureena says
I will definitely keep this one in mind the next time I feel like baking a cake! Yummy!
Barbara Bakes says
Wow - it sounds like you work in a great place! I love chocolate bundt cakes!
Kaitlin says
That is awesome, how sweet! The cake looks delightful!
Christy says
Your cake looks so moist and delicious. We have three family birthdays this week, one of which is my SIL, this cake is perfect to surprise her with tomorrow. You're wonderful! {{Hugs}}
Happy cook says
Lucky sure to have you as a friend and that too one who make delicious cakes for her.
Cake looks so yumm , drooling here
Happy 2009 to you and your loved ones.
Debbie says
The cake looks great and I even have Kahlua in my pantry!!!! I forget everything too. Join the club!
Marthe says
Sue sounds like the best coworker anyone could ask for 🙂
This looks amazing!
Danielle says
Yum that came out of a healthy cooking cook book!! It looks so bad for me :}
I have a few good co-workers like your Sue they are few and far between so hold onto them as long as you can!