This Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake recipe offers a truly delightful and effortlessly simple dessert, perfect for celebrating any special occasion or simply treating yourself and loved ones. This stunning chocolate bundt cake boasts a rich and creamy coconut cream cheese filling, all elegantly crowned with a luscious almond glaze. It’s a harmonious blend of deep chocolate and tropical coconut that will captivate your senses and become an instant family favorite.
If your heart beats for all things coconut, you’re in for a treat! Explore some of our other beloved coconut creations like this irresistible coconut syrup, classic German Chocolate Cookies, indulgent Coconut Caramel Magic Bars, zesty Coconut Lime Sugar Cookie Bars, and even healthy Peanut Butter and Coconut Power Balls. We truly believe there’s always room for more coconut!
Decadent Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake: A Dessert Masterpiece
Prepare to be amazed by this chocolate bundt cake, featuring a hidden ring of creamy coconut filling. It’s a cake that’s not just moist, but incredibly thick, fudgy, and dense, promising a rich chocolate experience with every bite. The star of the show is undoubtedly the coconut cream cheese filling, baked right into the center of the cake, which remains wonderfully soft and flavorful. Once the cake has cooled to perfection, it’s generously drizzled with a smooth, aromatic almond glaze, adding another layer of sweetness and subtle nutty flavor.
The unique coconut filling, reminiscent of the classic “Almond Joy” candy bar, offers a delightful texture and taste contrast against the deep chocolate cake. While it shines brightly in this recipe, this versatile filling could also elevate other bundt cake flavors, such as a bright raspberry lemon or a sunny lemon bundt cake, creating new and exciting dessert combinations.
Essential Ingredients for Your Bundt Cake
Crafting this incredible Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake requires a few simple yet powerful ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the desired texture, flavor, and overall perfection of this dessert. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:
- Cake Mix: For ultimate convenience and consistent results, we recommend a high-quality chocolate cake mix. The Betty Crocker Triple Chocolate Cake mix is a fantastic choice, known for its ability to produce a thick, fudgy, and moist cake, often with mini chocolate chips already included.
- Sour Cream: This is a secret ingredient for exceptional moisture. Using full-fat sour cream ensures your bundt cake remains incredibly tender and rich, adding a subtle tang that complements the chocolate beautifully.
- Instant Pudding: To elevate the cake’s texture, instant pudding mix is essential. It contributes to that coveted thick, fudgy, and incredibly moist consistency that makes this bundt cake truly stand out.
- Butter: We prefer butter for its rich flavor and texture, but for convenience, cooking oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil will also work wonderfully to keep the cake moist.
- Water: A small amount of water is needed to achieve the perfect consistency for the chocolate batter, ensuring it’s smooth and easy to pour into the bundt pan.
- Chocolate Chips: While optional, a cup of mini chocolate chips can be folded into the batter for an extra chocolatey kick if you’re making an unfilled bundt cake. However, if you’re including the coconut cream cheese filling, it’s best to omit additional chocolate chips. Adding both can overfill your bundt pan, leading to an unsightly crust ring or even messy drips in your oven.
- Cream Cheese: The base of our decadent coconut filling. You can use either full-fat or part-fat cream cheese, ensuring it’s softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free mixture.
- Shredded Coconut (Sweetened): Sweetened shredded coconut is ideal for the filling, providing that unmistakable tropical flavor and delightful chewiness.
- Almond Extract: This intensifies the overall flavor profile, adding a sophisticated, nutty aroma. You’ll need it for both the luscious coconut filling and the final elegant almond glaze.
- Coconut Extract: To truly enhance the tropical essence of this bundt cake, coconut extract is a must-have. It guarantees that robust, beloved coconut flavor throughout the filling.
- Eggs (for Filling): Eggs are crucial for giving the coconut filling its structure. They help it set perfectly during baking, ensuring it holds its shape beautifully when you slice into the cake.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as #10 sugar or confectioners’ sugar, this finely milled sugar is essential for creating a smooth, creamy, and visually appealing glaze that drapes elegantly over the cake.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake
Creating this stunning bundt cake is a straightforward process, even for novice bakers. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a perfect, show-stopping dessert:
- Prepare the Bundt Cake Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Properly preparing your 12-cup bundt pan is key to a flawless release. Liberally butter the entire inside surface of the pan, making sure to coat every nook and cranny. Then, dust the buttered pan with all-purpose flour, tapping out any excess. This creates a non-stick barrier.
- Mix the Bundt Cake Batter: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the chocolate cake mix, instant chocolate pudding mix, full-fat sour cream, softened butter (or oil), large eggs, and water. Mix on low speed, using a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed, until all ingredients are just combined. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and well-aerated. Pour this rich chocolate batter evenly into your meticulously prepared bundt cake pan.
- Prepare the Coconut Filling: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and white chocolate chips. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring well after each, until the chocolate chips are mostly melted and the cream cheese is soft and smooth. This usually takes 40-60 seconds. Stir in the sweetened shredded coconut, large eggs, almond extract, and coconut extract until thoroughly combined. The mixture should be thick and consistent.
- Add the Filling to the Cake: Carefully spoon the coconut filling into the chocolate cake batter in the bundt pan. Create a ring of filling by dropping large spoonfuls into the center channel of the batter. Aim for an even thickness and width, ensuring the filling doesn’t touch the outer edges of the bundt pan. There’s no need to push it down; as the cake bakes, the batter will rise around the filling, perfectly encasing it.
- Bake to Perfection: Transfer the bundt pan to your preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. The cake is done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the chocolate cake portion (avoiding the filling) comes out clean.
- Cool and Glaze: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes on a wire rack. This cooling period is crucial for easy unmolding. After 10-15 minutes, carefully invert the bundt cake onto the wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare the Almond Glaze: While the cake cools, make the glaze. In a stand mixer, combine the softened butter and powdered sugar. Mix on low speed until crumbly, then increase speed and beat until fluffy and light. Gradually add 3-5 tablespoons of milk (start with 3 and add more a teaspoon at a time) and the almond extract. Continue beating until the glaze is thick, smooth, and just barely holds its shape, making it perfect for dripping.
- Glaze the Cake: For best results, transfer the almond glaze to a piping bag (or use a spoon) and pipe or drizzle it generously over the completely cooled bundt cake. You can gently tap the cake or use the back of a spoon to encourage the glaze to drip down the sides in an appealing manner.
- Serve and Garnish: To add a final touch of elegance and flavor, garnish your magnificent Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake with toasted coconut flakes or a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips. Slice and serve this delightful dessert. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions you might have when making this delicious bundt cake:
Ensuring your cake comes out of the pan cleanly is paramount. For best results, use softened butter or a butter-flavored shortening like Crisco. Apply a generous tablespoon or so to a paper towel or napkin and thoroughly coat the entire interior of the bundt pan, paying special attention to all the intricate crevices and designs. Next, add about 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour to the pan. Rotate the pan, gently tapping and tilting it to ensure the flour evenly coats all the buttered surfaces. If you spot any un-floured spots, simply dab a little more butter there with your finger and re-flour. Finally, invert the pan and gently tap it to release any excess flour. This dual greasing and flouring technique guarantees a beautiful, intact cake every time.
Preventing your bundt cake from sticking relies on two key steps. First, as mentioned above, proper pan preparation is critical: grease thoroughly and then dust with flour, tapping out any excess. Second, allow your freshly baked cake to cool in the pan for approximately 5-10 minutes on a wire rack. This brief cooling period allows the cake to firm up slightly and pull away from the pan’s sides. After this time, place your serving plate over the top of the bundt pan, then confidently flip it over, inverting the cake onto the plate to cool completely. If you still encounter difficulty, a thin, flexible knife can be gently run around the edges of the cake to loosen it before inverting.
Absolutely! This bundt cake is a fantastic make-ahead dessert. You can bake the cake a day or two in advance. Store the unglazed cake tightly wrapped at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Prepare the glaze just before serving for the freshest taste and appearance. This makes it perfect for entertaining or holiday gatherings!
While almond extract adds a unique depth to both the filling and the glaze, you can substitute it with vanilla extract if needed. Vanilla extract is a common and versatile flavor enhancer that will still provide a lovely aroma and taste to your bundt cake, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
Several factors can lead to a sticky bundt cake. Ensure you greased every part of the pan, including the center tube and any intricate patterns. Using cold butter or oil can result in an uneven coat. Also, make sure to flour thoroughly; the flour creates a protective barrier. Over-baking can dry out the cake, making it more prone to sticking. Conversely, not letting it cool for the recommended 5-10 minutes in the pan before inverting can cause it to tear. Ensure your pan is high quality and not scratched or damaged, as imperfections can cause sticking.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
Proper storage is essential to keep your Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake fresh and delicious. Here’s how to store any leftovers:
- Refrigerator: To maintain its freshness, wrap any leftover cake tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or store it in an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring you can enjoy a slice whenever a craving strikes.
- Freezer: For longer storage, this bundt cake freezes exceptionally well. Wrap individual slices or the entire cake (unglazed is best for freezing) securely in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. To thaw, simply transfer it to the refrigerator overnight. If it was frozen unglazed, you can prepare and apply the fresh almond glaze just before serving for optimal taste and texture.
Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake Recipe
Author: The Carefree Kitchen
This Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake has an easy coconut cream cheese filling and is topped with a delicious almond glaze.
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Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 15 mins
Yields: 12 people
Ingredients
Chocolate Bundt Cake
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 3.9 ounce box instant chocolate pudding
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup butter (or cooking oil)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup water
Coconut Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 12 ounces white chocolate chips
- 1½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
Glaze
- 4 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3-5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Garnish (Optional)
- 1/2 cup toasted coconut
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Butter a 12-cup bundt cake pan, then dust the inside with flour and discard the excess. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the cake mix, instant pudding, sour cream, butter, eggs, and water. Mix on low speed, scraping the sides down as needed, and mix for 2 minutes. Pour into your prepared bundt cake pan.
- In a microwave-safe dish, add the cream cheese and the white chocolate chips. Melt for 20 seconds, stir, and heat for 20 more seconds. Repeat if necessary until the chocolate chips are mostly melted and the cream cheese is softened. Add the shredded coconut, eggs, almond extract, and coconut extract to the cream cheese mixture and stir.
- Use a spoon or piping bag to drop big spoonfuls of the filling into the top of the cake batter to make a ring. Try to get the filling about the same thickness and width all the way around the cake without touching the edges of the cake pan. (No need to push it down. As the cake bakes, the filling will sink into the batter and the batter will cover and cook up around the cake mix.)
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 55-65 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Bundt Cake Glaze
- Add the butter and powdered sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on low until combined, then increase speed and beat until fluffy and light. Add about 3 tablespoons of the milk and almond extract and mix again until fluffy. You can add extra milk as needed until you get a thick and smooth consistency that will just barely hold its shape.
- Transfer to a piping bag (or spoon) and pipe over the top of the cooled cake. You can lightly tap the cake to get the drips to move how you want them.
- To finish, you can garnish with toasted coconut or mini chocolate chips. Enjoy!
Notes
- For the chocolate chips, you can substitute milk chocolate.
- For the almond extract, you can substitute vanilla extract for a slightly different, yet still delicious, flavor profile.
- When adding the coconut filling, there is no need to push it down into the batter. As the cake bakes, the filling will naturally sink into the batter, and the batter will rise to cover and cook around the filling, creating a perfect hidden center.
Nutrition
Calories: 357kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 145mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 563IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
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More Easy Coconut Dessert Recipes to Love
If you can’t get enough of that wonderful coconut flavor, check out these other delightful and easy-to-make dessert recipes:
- Coconut Caramel Magic Bars
- Coconut Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
- Coconut Lime Sugar Cookie Bars
- Coconut Caramel Popcorn
- Easy Coconut French Toast Bake
- Coconut Pound Cake Recipe
- Explore even more Dessert Recipes for every craving!
Discover More Decadent Chocolate Cake Recipes
For those who adore rich, chocolatey treats, we have a collection of other fantastic chocolate cake recipes that are sure to please:
- Classic Chocolate Bundt Cake
- Moist Chocolate Pound Cake
- Grand Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake
This exquisite coconut-filled chocolate bundt cake recipe is not just an easy dessert; it’s a celebration in itself. Crafted from a simple cake mix, it’s elevated by the most incredible coconut and white chocolate filling, making every slice a truly special experience. Your family and friends are guaranteed to fall in love with this moist, flavorful, and incredibly easy-to-make bundt cake. Get ready to bake and enjoy a dessert that tastes like a little slice of paradise!