This homemade kahlua cake is so easy and completely from scratch. Rich, dense chocolate bundt cake is flavored with Kahlua, soaked in a Kahlua syrup after baking, and finally covered with ganache -- first a Kahlua Dark Chocolate Ganache then a Kahlua White Chocolate Ganache.
For this recipe you'll need: butter, cream cheese, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa, salt, kahlua, cream, dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chips
I love Kahlua. Almost as much as Baileys, as a matter of fact. In essence, I am saying that I like sweet, dessert-like, girly drinks. That works fine for me and always has since I am, of course, a girl. The idea of a Kahlua cake holds so many possibilities. Chocolate Kahlua? Spice Kahlua? Vanilla Kahlua? I think I have decided on all of the above but, as always, chocolate comes first in my life.
I noticed that it's pretty tough to find a recipe for Kahlua cake from scratch and not a mix. Well, this chocolate Kahlua bundt cake is a from scratch Kahlua cake. I know that cake mixes are handy and all but I just don't like the idea of not knowing exactly what's in them or how to pronounce it. You are rarely going to get convenience food recipes from my blog - it happens but just not that often.
The cake is moist, gets a chocolate boost from cocoa as well as bittersweet chocolate chips, has plenty of Kahlua flavor, AND is soaked in a Kahlua syrup and then covered with a Kahlua dark chocolate ganache then topped with a Kahlua white chocolate ganache.
Helloooooo.If you have an hour this cake can be in your belly. All of it...because you won't want to share.
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Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Cocoa, 8-Ounce Cans (Pack of 6)
Nordic Ware Non-Stick Cast Aluminum Fleur De Lis Bundt Pan
Kahlua Especial
Here's that chocolate Kahlua Cake recipe.
📖 Recipe
Kahlua Cake from Scratch
Print Rate RecipeIngredients
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cup dark cocoa powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- teaspoon `½ salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup Kahlua
- ¼ cup caramel vodka
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup sour cream
- 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips
Syrup (optional)
- ½ cup Kahlua
- ¼ cup sugar
Glaze
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup Kahlua
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Grease and flour a bundt pan.
- Stir the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together -- set aside.
- Beat the butter and sugar until they are light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until totally incorporated before adding the next egg.
- Mix the ½ cup Kahlua, vodka, and vanilla.
- Add ⅓ of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating on low speed.
- Add ½ the Kahlua mixture.
- Repeat the flour and Kahlua steps ending with the last of the flour.
- Fold in the sour cream until well blended.
- Finally fold in the chocolate chips.
- Spoon into the bundt pan and bake for 1 hour, or until cake tests done.
- Cool in pan 10 minutes before turning out.
- Cover the warm cake with glaze and let cool completely.
Syrup
- Bring the Kahlua and sugar to a boil.
- Let boil for 1 minutes. Remove from heat.
Glaze
- Heat the cream until bubbles form around the edge.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in the white chocolate until it is smooth and melted.
- Stir in the 1//4 cup Kahlua.
- Spoon over warm cake..
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
Joyce says
What happened to the old recipe? I liked the old one with the sour cream and caramel vodka. Is it possible that you can post the old one too and or email me the old one. Thank you
Marye Audet says
Hi Joyce, I do make my recipes often and sometimes change them as I find ways to make them even better. Saying that, I have reposted the original recipe underneath the new one -- Thanks for letting me know you wanted it -- making my readers happy is one of my top goals. 🙂
Kathleen says
you are so funny and a woman after my own heart. in my twenties my friends and I realized we always liked the kind of drinks that made you fat before they made you drunk. Haha.
Marye Audet says
Absolutely!
Marlynn @ UrbanBlissLife says
Oooh I do love the combo of Kahlua and chocolate. This cake looks so decadent and you are right: I don't think I would want to share it! 🙂
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
This recipe really brings back memories. I used to love kahlua - haven't thought about it in ages, but now that I've been staring at these photos, I'd love to try it again:)
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
Wow - this looks delicious! I love the unique flavors you've included.
Kirsten / Comfortably Domestic says
Girlfriend, you do not mess around when it comes to cake! This sounds fantastic!
Marye Audet says
No I do not! LOL!
Heather Kinnaird says
girly drink fan right here 🙂 and kahlua and chocolate go hand and hand
Marye Audet says
Agreed!
Sara says
I am also a Kahlua fan, so this is perfect for me! I'll keep an eye out for the especial next time I'm at the store!
Marye Audet says
It's more like espresso I think... very dark.
Moni says
Do you think I can substitute the all-purpose flour with coconut flour?
LC says
Hi, can I just use Kahlua alone?
Marye Audet says
Yes you can. 🙂
Silvia says
How should I store the cake now that I've baked it? Smells wonderful!
Marye Audet says
Room temperature and covered should be fine.
Tammie says
Can this recipe be divided into 2-8" rounds? Would it cook up ok? I'm needing to make a 2 tiered stacked cake and so badly want to try this recipe!! Please advise ☺️
Marye Audet says
I am sure it would, although I have never tried it.
Ashley H says
Once you pour into the bunt pan... What should the consistency be?
Marye Audet says
It will be somewhat thick... like most bundt cakes.
Deric says
I love this recipe cake taste great
terbear says
Can you tell me if you've tried to make cupcakes or mini cupcakes with this recipe? I need to make some mini cupcakes for a mom's night out party and this recipe looks perfect. I just am not sure about the baking time and temperature. Thank you!
Marye Audet says
I haven't but you should be able to bake them for 15 to 20 minutes
Michelle says
Out of vodka and used Bailey's...omg it's so good we love it! Happy Valentine's!
kai says
made this for my mom's bday on Sunday. She loves Chocolate and Kahlua. What a great combo! She loved it!!!
Tam says
I know this question is silly, but is this cake for adults only? Is this something kids could eat?
Marye Audet says
The alcohol cooks out so yes, it is fine for kids. I think it's a great question!
Susan says
So glad I found this "from scratch" recipe! It is the BEST cake I have ever tasted!
anna says
all of the liquor stores i live around say that the caramel vodka has been discontinued... what else could i use? or could i just leave it out?
marye says
I think I would try Bailey's or even cream soda. As long as you add 1/4 cup liquid I don't think it will matter.