Name: Easy Chocolate Vanilla Swirl Bundt Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature (480 gm); 3 cups granulated sugar (400 gm); 8 large eggs; 3.5 cups all-purpose flour (420 gm); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoon whole milk (30 ml); 2 tablespoon vanilla extract (30 ml); 1 cup dark cocoa (120 gm); 1 cup powdered sugar (100 gm); 2 tablespoon whole milk (30 ml); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)

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If you can't decide if you want chocolate or vanilla, no worries! This super easy-to-make chocolate vanilla swirl bundt cake is a perfect recipe to satisfy both cravings. A little of both flavors can make it into every single bite and easily please anyone at your dessert table. This delicious homemade cake recipe is going to become a favorite for your family.

Chocolate Vanilla Swirl Bundt Cake

While you can do the same thing using a cake mix, I much prefer the delicious flavor that comes from making a cake from scratch. This recipe is one that creates a moist and soft cake that is delicious every time. If you want to make a simple but delicious homemade dessert, a cake is a great choice. The combination of vanilla and chocolate makes this unique and gives you a chance to have both flavors to satisfy everyone at your table.

If you want something a bit easier to make but still delicious, you might like this easy 3-ingredient blender chocolate cake recipe instead. It is by far the easiest cake I've ever made and one the kids will love helping you prepare. You can even make a 2-ingredient mug cake using OREO cookies for a single serving option that's tasty.

Do I Have to Make This in a Bundt Pan?

For a dense cake like this one, I find the bundt pan allows it to cook well without burning or drying out. If you do not have a bundt pan, you can use traditional cake pans to make this cake. I would recommend watching the timing while baking and know that you will likely need to reduce the bake time by up to 50%.

How Do I Make Sure My Cake is Moist?

The key to a moist cake is in the fat to dry ingredient ratio. The amount of butter and eggs in this cake helps to ensure it will turn out nice and moist. Another issue when baking cakes that can result in dryness is when it is cooked too fast at too high a temperature. As often stated in cooking, slow and low allows it to cook evenly and thus not drying out edges or portions of the cake too much.

Once baked, it's important to store it in an airtight container or bag until ready to eat. You may also want to refrigerate the cake if you are not planning to eat within the first 2-3 days after baking.

Do I Have to Use Dark Chocolate For This Bundt Cake?

The main reason dark chocolate is recommended in this recipe is that traditional unsweetened cocoa powder will not give as rich a flavor as you desire. It also won't give the deeper coloring you want to make it a beautiful swirl. If you do not have dark cocoa or cannot locate any locally, you can order it online. For those who prefer to just use what you have on hand, you can use traditional cocoa powder, but the taste will not be as strongly chocolate as if dark cocoa is used.

Does This Cake Need Icing?

This is one cake that doesn't need icing to be flavorful and sweet. I do include a simple glaze that is great on the recipe, but it is not necessary. If you prefer to have traditional icing, you can use vanilla, cream cheese, or chocolate icing for this. Remember that icing a bundt cake is not as easy as others, so a glaze really is an easier choice to top this recipe.

Do I Have to Use Whole Milk In My Cake Batter?

You do not have to use whole milk, but it may change the texture a bit. The added fat in whole milk is part of the recipe that helps with texture and moisture. You can substitute this with half-and-half for the best results. If you prefer to use what is on hand and that is lower fat, it will work, but the result will not be as good as it may change the texture and flavor of the recipe slightly.

Ingredients

All-purpose flour
Salt
Whole milk
Vanilla extract
Eggs
Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
Unsweetened dark chocolate cocoa powder
Powdered sugar

Handy Kitchen Tools

How to Make a Chocolate Vanilla Swirl Bundt Cake

Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C and spray the bundt pan generously with baking spray.

In a small bowl, add warm water and uncracked eggs to bring the eggs to room temperature. Let these sit for 5-minutes.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar for 4-5 minutes using a hand mixer or stand mixer.

To the butter, add the eggs one at a time, allowing the eggs to be incorporated fully before adding the next egg.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt, then add half of the flour mixture into the egg and butter mixture.

Add ½ of the milk to the batter and stir to combine then the remaining milk and stir until just combined.

Stir in the vanilla extract.

Remove half of the cake batter and place into a piping bag or large Ziplock bag.

To the remaining batter, add the cocoa powder and mix until combined.

Pour the chocolate batter into a second piping bag or large Ziplock bag.

Cut the corners off of the bags and then working in an alternating pattern, pipe the batter into the ridges of the bundt pan.

Use a spatula to spread the batter all the way up the sides of the pan to create stripes of vanilla and chocolate that alternate.

Pipe the remaining batter into the bundt pan alternating colors to create a swirled look.

Place the bundt pan into the oven and bake for 65-75 minutes until set and a toothpick inserted into the center of the sides comes out clean.

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 30-minutes before removing it and placing it on a plate or cake platter.

How to Make Cake Glaze

In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add additional milk to thin if desired.

When the cake has cooled, pour the glaze over the top and sides.

More Dessert Recipes

Is there any dessert more beloved than cake? I think not! Below are more of our favorite cake recipes that are going to become family favorites in no time. Bookmark, pin, or print these recipes and add them to your meal plan soon!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 12