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Chocolate Brownie Bundt Cake Recipe

Brownie cake is a rich, decadent, and incredibly easy cake to make, and perfect for a chocolate lover.

The dense, chocolatey, fudgy cake is made out of two boxed mixes, and only a few ingredients, and it creates a great recipe that you will want to make over and over again.

Decadent Chocolate Cake

Brownie cake with chocolate frosting

We all love brownies, and we all love cake, so why not combine the two for a great dessert recipe?

And we all have a constant chocolate craving, and the cake satisfies our cravings with the best flavor.

Easy chocolate brownie cake only takes a short amount of time to mix up and get into the bundt pan.

Brownie cake sitting on a white platter.

You really couldn’t ask for an easier dessert cake to make. It turns out dense, moist, and absolutely divine. And it’s topped with rich and super easy chocolate icing.

My son told me it was the perfect cake, but I should have doubled the amount of icing because he loved it so much.

What Do I Need To Make the Brownie Cake Recipe?

Cake:

Frosting:

  • Butter, melted
  • Powdered sugar
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Vanilla extract
  • Water

Full printable recipe with measurements and directions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

How Do I Make the Brownie Cake?

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. For the cake, add the box of cake mix and the box of brownie mix to a large bowl.
  3. Next, add the water, vegetable oil, and eggs and mix well with an electric mixer.
  4. Pour into a greased bundt pan and bake for about 55 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
  5. For the icing, add the powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa to a medium-sized bowl.
  6. Next, add the melted butter, warm water, and vanilla extract and mix until well blended.
  7. Pour over the cake and serve.

Brownie Cake Recipe

Chocolate Cake mix in a glass bowl.

Start the recipe by adding the boxed cake mix to a large bowl.

Dry brownie and cake mix in a glass bowl

Next, add the boxed brownie mix to the bowl.

Pouring vegetable oil into a brownie cake mix.

Pour the vegetable oil into the bowl.

Pouring water into a brownie cake mix.

Now, pour the water into the bowl.

Eggs, water, oil, brownie, and cake mix in a glass bowl.

Add the eggs to the bowl.

brownie cake batter in a large mixing bowl

Mix the ingredients with an electric mixer or a stand mixer.

I’ve said it before, but the great thing about this cake is that it is so easy to make.

Chocolate cake in a bundt pan

Pour the cake into a greased bundt cake pan and bake for 55 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

TIP: To get out the air bubbles, take a knife and gently run it through the batter.

When the brownie cake is done baking, allow it to cool for at least 20 minutes.

The cake will pull away from the sides as it bakes, making it a little easier to get out of the pan.

I always take a knife and slide it down the sides and in the center of the pan to make sure it’s not sticking to the sides.

I then place a cake stand or a plate over the top and flip it over. It should come out easily.

I used a bundt pan for this recipe because I like the way they look after they bake, but you can also use a tube pan.

Now, you can get started on your icing.

Homemade Chocolate Icing

Powdered sugar and cocoa in a glass bowl.

Start by adding the powdered sugar and the unsweetened cocoa to a medium-sized bowl.

Pouring vanilla into a bowl for chocolate frosting.

Next, pour the vanilla extract into the bowl.

Pouring melted butter into a glass bowl with frosting ingredients.

Followed by the melted butter.

Pouring water into a glass bowl for frosting.

And finish with the warm water. Then mix everything together and pour it on the cake.

TIP: Start off with two tablespoons of warm water. If the icing is too thick, add another tablespoon of water and mix.

Pouring chocolate frosting over a brownie cake.

Pour the icing on the top and sides of the cake.

The icing covers quite a bit of the cake, but if you’d like to completely cover it, you can double the recipe.

Pouring chocolate frosting on top of a brownie cake.

More Favorite Desserts:

These are great chocolate desserts, and all are super easy to make. The delicious recipes are perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any time in between.

A slice of chocolate brownie cake on a white plate.

How Do I Store The Cake?

If you have any leftover cake, you can store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

If you cover the cake with plastic wrap, just make sure you don’t place it on the frosting, or the plastic wrap will peel it off when you remove it.

Tips and Adding Variety to Brownie Cake

  1. Layering Technique: For a brownie cake with distinct layers, use round cake pans or a springform pan. After baking, assemble the layers with chocolate cream cheese frosting or chocolate ganache in between.
  2. Dry Ingredients Twist: Experiment with different types of cocoa powder or add a pinch of baking powder to the dry ingredients to alter the flavor and rise of the cake. Or add a layer of pecans, cinnamon, and brown sugar to the cake’s center. Pour half of the cake brownie batter into the pan, sprinkle the pecan mixture on top, and pour the rest of the cake batter over the top and bake.
  3. Frosting Variations: Besides the classic chocolate cream cheese frosting, try chocolate buttercream or a simple chocolate ganache. A meringue-based frosting can add a new dimension for a more sophisticated touch.
  4. Creative Use of Cream: Incorporate heavy cream into the chocolate frosting mixture for a richer ganache.
  5. Serving Suggestions: Serve slices of the brownie bundt cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup on top. This classic combination is always a hit.
  6. Special Occasion Decor: Decorate the cake with edible gold dust or fresh berries for special occasions. A drizzle of chocolate fudge can also elevate the presentation.
  7. Freezing and Storage: A freezer-safe container is perfect for storing the cake. Brownie cakes can be frozen and enjoyed later, retaining their moistness.
  8. Use of a Cooling Rack: Allow the cake to cool thoroughly on a cooling rack before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting and helps maintain the texture of the cake.
  9. Alternative Pans: Besides a traditional bundt pan, consider using unique-shaped pans for a fun twist. Just be mindful of the baking time and temperature adjustments.
Chocolate Brownie Cake on a cake pedestal.

The Ultimate Brownie Cake

Be sure to print out the chocolate brownie cake recipe below. The decadent dessert is one of the best chocolate cakes and will be a hit anywhere you take it.

Brownie cake with chocolate frosting

Brownie Cake

4.33 from 105 votes
Julie Pollitt
Brownie cake is one of the easiest recipes to make and only requires a few ingredients.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Additional Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Cake
Cuisine American
Servings 24 pieces
Calories 338 kcal

Ingredients
  

Cake

  • 1 – 15.25 oz. box chocolate cake mix
  • 1 – 18 oz. box brownie mix
  • 1-1/4 cups water
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs

Chocolate icing

  • 1-1/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 Tbsp. melted butter
  • 2 Tbps. warm water add more if too thick
  • 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Brownie Cake
  • Preheat the oven to 350-degrees and grease a bundt cake pan.
  • Start by adding the box cake and brownie mixes to a large bowl.
  • Add the vegetable oil, water, and eggs and mix well with an electric mixer on medium speed.
  • Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for approximately 55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean.
  • Chocolate Icing
  • Add the powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa to a medium-sized bowl.
  • Next, add the melted butter, vanilla extract, and water, and mix until well blended.
  • Pour over the cooled cake.

Video

Notes

TIP: Start by adding two tablespoons of water to the icing. If the icing is too thick, add more water to thin the recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 338kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 3gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 225mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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4.33 from 105 votes (105 ratings without comment)

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42 Comments

  1. Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories says:

    Oh Julie! This looks amazing!!! Summer, winter, spring, or fall!

  2. I am all for using a mix for a cake then making frosting or a glaze from scratch. It changes the whole taste! This looks super yummy.

  3. Lisa Kerhin says:

    I love this idea of a brownie cake! Brownies are my go to for a quick baked good to take to a last minute event – this will be so much better!

  4. Lawd, help me! I’m gonna eat this whole cake!!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Too funny! It was rich and delish!

  5. Angie | BigBearsWife says:

    I love brownies! This brownie cake is wonderful!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Thanks, Angie!

  6. This looks so good and easy to make too! After a long love affair with layer cakes, I am falling back in love with bundts!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Thanks, Carlee! Layer cakes are a wonderful treat, for sure.

  7. Christie Campbell says:

    Brownie + cake = quarantine 30! Holy moly that looks insanely delicious.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Ha ha! Love it!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Brenda, To subscribe, you’ll need to go to the homepage and fill out the form. If you’re on a desktop computer it will be on the right side. If you’re one your phone, you will need to scroll to the bottom. Thanks!

  8. What size Bundt pan did you use?

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Donna, I have a bundt pan that’s 10-inches wide.

  9. I was disappointed with this recipe. Followed recipe as written and thought it was a bit dry not as moist as expected. It tasted good but not any better than a Bundt cake made with 1 cake mix.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Elaine, I am sorry to hear you were disappointed. Maybe adding a tad more oil might help. I hope you try it again.

  10. Hi! Since mixes are all a little different, have you combined the ingredients but omitted the water from one of the mixes? Or did one of your mixes call for very little water? Thanks!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi, I didn’t go by the box at all. I only used the ingredients that I listed. I haven’t omitted the water, because I think it might make it too dry. I used 1 1/4 cups of water. I hope that answers your question!

  11. Kathleen P says:

    WOW, just WOW Julie! This is a winner for sure! So glad it’s being featured this weekend, perfect timing!!And that glaze! Yes please!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Thanks so much, Kathleen! You are so sweet!

  12. Rosalee Adams says:

    This looks
    YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMY
    BUT
    is it possible to use other than a bundt pan?
    I don’t want to buy one to just make this

    Thanks so much

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Rosalee! I think you could use another pan. You could use two small bread pans, or I think a cake pan would work. Yes, those bundt pans can be pricey. If you happened to be at a thrift store, look there, too. I got mine at a thrift store for pennies. ๐Ÿ™‚

  13. The recipe card does not have the recommended amount of water listed, I had to read through the comments to get the right amount of water.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Wolfey, Sorry to confuse you. I have 1-1/4 cups of water for the cake. Hope that answers the question.

  14. The brownie cake was so easy and so delicious. Quick to make..

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Great to hear that. Thanks, Lisa!

  15. Need printable recipe with measurements/exact ingredients. Doesnโ€™t show at bottom of page.
    Thx!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Janine, if you click on the “Jump To Recipe” at the top of the page, it will pop you right to the recipe with the measurements and instructions. Hope that helps!

  16. This has become a fave at our house!! My son loves it!! I do double the icing because we are obsessive, lol!! It never fails us!!! Thank you!!!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      You made my day! I am so glad to hear that!! And, I always love some extra frosting!

  17. Can I make this cake in 3 round-9 inch pans for a layer cake

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Cookie,

      You can, but I am not positive it will stretch to make enough for three pans. You might need to make a little more for three.

  18. kelli weiss says:

    hi, i’ve made this exact same cake at least 3 previous times, each time was perfect, with or w/o icing!
    i make a real bundt(no boxes) cake almost weekly to gift to the wonderful staff at my cancer ctr where i go for my infusion, and never,ever has my cake been less than perfect, EXCEPT TODAY AND I’M DEVASTATED!!
    its almost like a lava cake where the center is soft, mushy,
    but still delish!
    don’t know if it was the weight of 12oz of mini chips, or the cafe/water added, but it was super heavy going into my pan!
    this cake was meant for the therapy office where i get my P/T, and primerily for their son who loves my brownies!
    cut a chunk which looks ok just for him and will email the owner now, as they’re vegan, and not sure they’ll eat any?

    any ideas would be more than welcome, thx, Kelli :):

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Kelli, I am sorry to hear that. Do you think you put too much water in the cake? I don’t think it would be the mini chips that cause that. If it was heavy going into the pan I am wondering if maybe it was too much oil?

      Big Man’s World has a lot of vegan items on his site. And his stuff looks amazing. He might have a delicious vegan treat you can make. Here’s his link: https://thebigmansworld.com/easy-chocolate-cake/

      And you are so sweet and kind to take them cakes!

  19. Katherine Orr says:

    I followed directions for a Ghirardelli cake mix and beat the eggs, water and oil first until frothy, then added the mixes (and some mini chocolate chips – 1/2 cup) . This assures a thorough blending of wet and dry and aerates the mix for better rising effect. For a quick glaze I melted dark chocolate (I used Ghirardelli chocolate wafers) but you can use semisweet chocolate chips or Dove Dark chocolates – melt chocolate (about 1 cup) in microwave for 2 min on 50% power. Add half and half ( about 2 tbsp) stirring constantly until smooth and pourable. Add more half and half as needed. It should pour, not need to be spread. Pour over inverted cake and cool. Serve with fresh strawberries! `

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Thanks for sharing all of this. Sounds wonderful! I love Dove chocolates, so what a great idea!

  20. I made this cake today with only one difference – I used brewed coffee in place of the water, same amount. Espresso powder is often added to chocolate desserts to intensify the flavor, so I decided to try it with the brewed coffee I had in the pot.

    The cake was very moist and tasted great. I used Duncan Hines Devils Food cake mix and Duncan Hines Milk Chocolate brownie mix simply because that’s what I had on hand. I didn’t ice the cake as I don’t normally ice bundt cakes, but next time I will try making this in a tube pan and icing it.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Tee,

      Sounds like a great substitution! So glad you liked it. I’ll have to try that next time with the coffee.