Every now and again a recipe intrigues me even though it is not the kind of thing that I would usually make. This one starts with a cake mix and a package of pudding. I know, I know, chemicals and preservatives and stuff, but sometimes there is nothing more delicious than a cake made from a mix. And let me tell ya, this cake is delicious. I saw my friend Tiffany post about this Chocolate Kahlua Cake on her Facebook page, it is her husband’s birthday cake request every year, and since I am a bore, I asked her for the recipe. I am so glad that I did. This cake is moist, chocolaty, and pretty much my idea of heaven. Booze and chocolate. Enough said.
Tiffany only sprinkles hers with a dusting of powdered sugar. Which I am sure is great, but why not up the booze factor? I bought the Kahlua for the cake and had a ton leftover so why not make a glaze?
Tiffany has a cute recipe card download on her website that you should add to your recipe box.
1 box chocolate cake mix (without pudding)
1 box (3.75-ounce) instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups sour cream
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup Kahlua
1 (6-ounce) package chocolate chips
Kahlua Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
4 Tablespoons Kahlua
Put everything in the bowl except for the chocolate chips.
Mix for a few minutes until it is well combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips. I had a few half empty chocolate chip packages laying around, so I used a mixture of milk and semi-sweet chips.
Put the batter in a greased Bundt pan.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then turn out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
Start the glaze.
Whisk together the powdered sugar and Kahlua until smooth.
Pour the glaze over the top of the cake.
Thank you Tiffany for sharing your great recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (without pudding)
- 1 box (3.75-ounce) chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups sour cream
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup Kahlua
- 1 (6-ounce) package chocolate chips
- Kahlua Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 4 Tablespoons Kahlua
Instructions
- Put everything in the bowl except for the chocolate chips.
- Mix for a few minutes until it is well combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips. I had a few half empty chocolate chip packages laying around, so I used a mixture of milk and semi-sweet chips.
- Put the batter in a greased Bundt pan.
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then turn out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
- Start the glaze.
- Whisk together the powdered sugar and Kahlua until smooth.
- Pour the glaze over the top of the cake.
I am Bree. I love to cook. Even more than I love to take pictures.
Oh dear, yes. Kahlua and chocolate!? We’re in. We are SO in.
So easy to make too. I like having a cake on the counter at all times. This is a perfect cake for that.
Should the knife come out clean?
When it is done? Yes.
I’m making this cake this weekend, do you think it’s ok for kids, does alcohol change once it’s cooked?
That is your call, but the icing has uncooled Kahlua in it. I probably would make it an adult only dessert.
You had me with the title and that first picture alone. Swoon!
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thank you Annalise!
Well Said!
Sometimes there’s nothing wrong with a box of Betty Crocker or some pre-made pudding. The cake looks fantastic! I think I’ll have to make it myself. Thanks for sharing!
Nope, not at all.
My family has been making a very similar, possibly identical, cake for years. I can’t remember where the recipe is from now (probably someone’s mother or an old friend) but it is truly delicious. I don’t have the family recipe so I may have to make this one instead.
I am glad that you found a similar recipe.
Yummy! A friend from work made something similar as well- I am adding this to my cakes-to-make list!
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It is delicious, but also really, really easy.
Stunning. Kahlua and chocolate is an unbelievable combination!
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Yes it is!
This is an old standard in our office. Always the first to go at potluck. Similar such doctored cakes are in one of my favorite, fun cookbooks – Cake Mix Doctor
thanks! I usually make everything from scratch, but this is worth getting a box of cake mix.
This looks so delicious and sinful! Thanks for posting
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you are welcome Christina!
Thank you for the recipe Bree. Now I remember seeing this at Tiffany’s blog. Can’t wait to make this!
Make it! It is so good.
I have a kahlua cake recipe, but it isn’t chocolate. This recipe is definitley going in my keeper file!
It was so good. My husband loved it.
Yep. I’ve made this a few times at friends’ requests. It is super moist. I usually do the powdered sugar and vanilla bean ice cream thing but will have to try your glaze next time. Good thinking!
thanks, the glaze is so good.
That cake looks amazing! I have no problem “doctoring” up a cake mix into something a bit more special… and this certainly qualifies as something special!
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it really is special.
I’m saving this recipe… The photo alone convince me that I have to eat this before tpday become yesterday.
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Mmm! This looks nummy!
Great pictures!!
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thank you Jess!
I’ve been making this recipe for years, and it’s a no-fail! Comes out amazing every time, and the glaze always adds a teeny bit of crunch and an extra bite of kahlua!
It is a keeper!
Talk about chocolate heaven… Bree, your recipes and creations are always to die for. I read them when I have a free moment at work and this Friday morning at 11am it makes me want CAKE for lunch. haha!
Hugs from Amsterdam,
Jeanelle
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Thank you so much Jeanelle!
made this to have for hubby’s b-day tonight…can’t wait !!! Thank you
I hope that he liked it.
SO going to make this this wkend! I LOVE any kind of cake that includes booze…is that wrong to say?? I make an AWESOME rum cake that includes a cake mix and it’s the only way you can make it! I tried from scratch but was unsuccessful. Thanks so much!!
No, not at all! I make a whiskey cake like that too. You have to use a mix.
I’ve been making this for years! People really love it. I dropped one off to a friend for her birthday once. Later that day i noticed the chocolate chips still on the counter! I called her and sais,”I forgot the chocolate chips.”. She replied,”I noticed!”. Hee-hee. Im looking forward to trying your boozey glaze.
It is a great dessert, easy and delicious.
Oh Bree! Yay! I’m totally making this for my sweet sister-in-law’s 30th bday tomorrow! It’s perfect. Thank you!
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I hope that she likes is Jessica!
I have the cake on a cooling rack right now, I am so excited to make the glaze and bite into it!! By the way, I LOVE your round cooling rack, where did you get it?
I got the round cooling rack at a bakery shop here, here is one similar from amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/International-Inch-Round-Stick-Cooling/dp/B0026FDCZM/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1300160210&sr=8-9
The cake was delicious and so moist!!! Only little problem was my icing was a little runny, even with following the directions to the T…
I am sorry that the glaze was runny. I will make it again and make sure that the quantities are right. If it is too runny, you can always add some more powdered sugar to thicken it up.
I guess I never thought of just adding more powdered sugar haha It was still delicious runny. I just dipped into the excess while I was eating it, yum!
lol. Sauce on the side? Sounds good to me.
[...] this Chocolate Kahlua Caketoday or any other day of the [...]
I have all the ingredients. All I need now is for this allergy to go away so I can smell and taste it )-:
Yes, you need to be able to taste this! So good.
Pretty sure you just posted the cake I’ll be making for my husband’s birthday. He’ll love it! Thanks!
You are welcome! Happy birthday!
i don’t have any kahlua on hand and wonder if amaretto can be substituted? this cake looks wonderful but at the moment kahlua is a bit too pricey. thanks
I bet that amaretto would be delcious! Let me know how it turns out.
Wow, looks delicious! Boyfriend’s birthday is this weekend and he requested a “chocolate, kahlua, irish cream, ice cream” cake, so I’m thrilled to have found this! I’m planning on baking this in two 8″ rounds, adding a layer of vanilla ice cream in the center and topping with a irish cream infused whipped topping. Talk about a recipe mashup…! Any idea if measurements needs to be different baking in round pans vs. a bundt cake pan?
I searched for “Mexican Recipes” for Cinco de Mayo and found your website. I’m so glad I did. The Chocolate Kahlua Cake is probably the BEST chocolate cake I’ve ever tasted. And everyone who shared in its disappearance agrees. Thank you, Bree! I look forward to trying more of your recipes.
welcome! Isn’t that cake crazy good?
I made this twice this week. My family loves it!!!
I guess you really do! Glad that you like it so much.
Just made this cake…..delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
you are welcome. Easy too isn’t it?
I made this recipe this week using two 8″ layer rounds. Oh my. It was wonderful. I did make it using espresso powder rather than Kahlua as my customer didn’t want alcohol in the cake. I plan on making it again for personal consumption using the Kahlua. Can’t wait!
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I am glad to know that you can bake it in layers as well. Glad that you liked it.
This was THE most delicious cake I’ve had in a while! I’m not a big chocolate cake fan, but I’ve been reborn since I had this cake! I made it yesterday for my parents for their 37th wedding anniversary. They LOVED it! I do agree with the one comment below though, the icing is verry runny. I ended up making it to the T, as the recipe suggested, and poured it over the cake, but it mostly gathered up at the bottom of the cake. I ended up re-making it, and added about another 1/2 c of powdered sugar to thicken it up… it was PERFECT! (I also served it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top after heating a slice in the microwave for 20 seconds). YUM! I can’t wait for my next excuse to make this cake! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Oh no! I’ll fix the recipe. Glad that it was a hit for you!
Wonderful & Delicious!!! Last time I made this reciepe I realized I didn’t have Kahlua 1/2 way into the reciepe (oops!) and had to substitute rasberry liquor ( Chambod) which was also a really great twist to it!
Chambord would be great in this. Yum.
Oh just loved the combination…chocolate and kahlua. I am surely baking this one for my girlfriends. i just wanted to ask you, what size bundt tin did you use.
Do you live in England? I love how you call it a tin. I *think* 6 cups.
Thanks Bree….Yes I was in London for quite some time…but now I am in Texas. I am waiting to try the cake. Love your blog.
thank you! A big jump, London to Texas….
If I want to make this into cupcakes (without the glaze), would I have to alter the recipe in any way? How many cupcakes would this make? Thank you!
I don’t think that you would need to alter the recipe, but I cannot give you an exact number since I have never made them into cupcakes.
Hi Bree, not sure there’s a chance you’ll see this today, but I’m baking this cake for my Dad’s birthday and was hoping I could replace the oil with butter, if so, how much butter? HELP!
I sent you an email this morning.
Do you think this cake would bake up just as nice in a regular sheet cake pan? I’m thinking of using peppermint Kahlua with a peppermint Kahlua buttercream frosting……thoughts?
I really do not know. The worst that can happen is that you try it, and it doesn’t, right? The combo sounds good though!
thank you i will try this …! sounds yummy.!
I hope that you do. It is delicious and easy.
I thought this was my secret recipe no one had. But I will admit this is the BEST cake ever!!!
Nope, your secret is out.:)
I made this cake after finding your recipe and everybody absolutely loved it! It’s so easy to make and delicious! I love it, thank you for sharing this recipe!
Now I will try to make a Vanilla Kahlua Cake =] hope it turns out good!
A vanilla version sounds great.
Bree- If the picture shown is the ingredients you used.. My cake mix box is the same as yours, and in the lower left hand corner it says ” as always -pudding in the mix”
I am going to use the cake mix I have that looks exactly like yours and hope for the best.
I have also realized that the recp didn’t say “instant” pudding… so I am going to get instant, my pantry staple is regular.
Keeping my fingers crossed…
~S~
I made this cake yesterday! It is a very moist cake. In fact, it almost appears wet when you cut it. You are using the right ingredients.
Wondering if I could use your recipe for cupcakes. I don’t own a Bundt pan. It looks very yummy, though.
I think that you can, but I have never made this cake this way. Let me know how it goes.
[...] Chocolate Kahlua CakeMar 10, 2011 … chocolate kahlua cake recipe Every now and again a recipe intrigues me even though it is not the kind of thing that I would usually make. [...]
Hi,
My mother’s 50th birthday party is coming up. I am serving 60 people, and plan on making half a sheet cake plus another 9×13. How much batter should I make, should I triple it?
I am not really sure, I would say at least triple it.
Hello! I made the cake a couple of hours ago and can’t wait to eat it tonight! I did have one problem. The glaze was absorbed by the cake! I followed the exact recipe for the glaze but it just disappeared into the cake! I guess it wasn’t thick enough? Any thoughts?
Either it was to thin, or the cake might have been warm still.
LOL! Recovering from surgery, and after 5 days of feeling less than spectacular, I was hungering for chocolate cake. Couldn’t decide between this and the sour cream homemade recipe. Well…since I am a little dysle*ic anyway….I combined the two. Didn’t have chocolate pudding, so used butterscoch. Added a handful (literally) of brown sugar. No kahula, but Bailey’s w/coffee was close, right? And had to use half sour cream and half yogurt. Now you know why my mother goes crazy watching me bake!!! HA! BUT, I always keep in mind the basic continuity of the recipe, and LOVE my results.
The cake is now cooling; time to whip up the drizzle. Hmmm……I wonder…….. 
Hope that it turned out.
Making this today for a Christmas Party at our Squadron Commanders house. Yummy! Ashley wants me to make one for home too!
Everybody that tried it loved it…and they asked for the recipe.
This is that kind of cake! I immediately asked for the recipe too when I had it!
Yum! I haven’t made this cake in a long time, it might be time!
I changed the glaze & it’s even yummier!
3/4 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
4 oz choc chips
2 tbsp room temp butter
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp Kahula
Combine cream & sugar in a small pan & bring to a boil over med heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves.
Reduce heat & simmer 4 min.
Remove from heat & add choc, butter & salt. Stir until choc melts.
Stir in Kahlua.
Drizzle over cake.
Enjoy!
Just made it for a friends Birthday for tomorrow. It looks good but can’t try it not a chocolate lover. He wanted a kahlua cake.
Hope he liked it!
Ok i have a question…How much Kahlua would i add if i wanted to make a buttercream icing instead of the glaze. And also is this the only chocolate flavor that does not have pudding? Because most cake mixes have pudding added now..
I don’t know, I have never made a buttercream out of it before. And I am not sure about the cake mix. I use whatever I have, whether there is pudding in it or not.