The Ultimate Moist Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake: Your Go-To Recipe for Decadent Dessert

Prepare to be enchanted by this truly remarkable Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake. It’s a masterpiece of home baking, boasting an incredibly moist crumb, a rich buttery flavor, and a subtle hint of cinnamon that perfectly complements the generous scattering of mini chocolate chips throughout. Whether you choose to crown it with its luxurious chocolate glaze or enjoy it in its pure, unadorned glory, this cake promises an irresistible experience that will leave everyone craving another slice. It’s more than just a cake; it’s a celebration of simple pleasures and delightful flavors.

If your heart beats for wonderfully moist and flavorful bundt cake recipes, then you have certainly landed in the perfect spot! Beyond this sensational chocolate chip rendition, our collection of beloved bundt cakes is sure to impress. You’ll absolutely adore our Chocolate Buttermilk Bundt Cake, the vibrant Blood Orange Cardamom Bundt Cake, the classic Red Velvet Bundt Cake, and the zesty Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake. Each offers a unique flavor profile, but all share the signature moistness and ease of preparation that makes bundt cakes so special.

Why This Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake Recipe Works So Well

This chocolate chip bundt cake isn’t just another dessert; it’s a meticulously crafted recipe designed for maximum flavor, incredible texture, and ease of baking. Here’s why this particular bundt cake will become your new favorite:

• Way Easier Than Layer Cakes: The inherent beauty of bundt cakes lies in their simplicity. You don’t need to worry about perfectly even layers, intricate fillings, or complex frosting techniques. A bundt pan does all the work, creating a stunning presentation with minimal effort. Just bake, invert, and perhaps glaze for an elegant dessert that looks far more complicated than it is. It’s perfect for bakers of all skill levels who want impressive results without the fuss.
• Unbelievably Moist and Tender Bundt Cake: This chocolate chip bundt cake sets itself apart with its exceptional moistness and delicate crumb. The secret lies in a strategic combination of ingredients: vegetable oil ensures a super moist texture that stays fresh longer, while the buttermilk adds a remarkable tenderness and a subtle tang, creating a perfectly balanced and delightful eating experience. No dry cake here, ever!
• Optional Rich Chocolate Glaze for Extra Decadence: While this chocolate chip bundt cake is absolutely divine on its own, with its buttery flavor and delightful chocolate chips, we offer a rich, velvety chocolate glaze as an optional addition. This isn’t just any glaze; it’s a deeply chocolatey ganache-style topping that elevates the cake to a new level of indulgence. If you’re a true chocoholic, this glaze is a must-try. However, if you prefer a simpler treat, the cake stands proudly on its own, perhaps with just a dusting of powdered sugar.
• Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The subtle warmth of ground cinnamon in this recipe isn’t just a background note; it’s a key player that enhances the sweetness of the chocolate chips and the richness of the butter, creating a complex and incredibly inviting flavor profile that will surprise and delight your taste buds.
• A True Crowd-Pleaser: Chocolate chip cakes are universally loved, and this bundt version takes that appeal even further. Its familiar yet refined flavors make it a hit at any gathering, from casual family dinners to more formal celebrations. It’s comfort food elevated, sure to bring smiles all around.

Essential Ingredient Notes for the Perfect Bundt Cake

Understanding the role of each ingredient is key to achieving a truly exceptional chocolate chip bundt cake. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:

• All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of our cake. Regular all-purpose flour provides the perfect structure. While not explicitly stated in the steps, sifting your flour before measuring (or after, if you measure by weight) can contribute to an even lighter, airier crumb.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: This powerful duo of leavening agents is crucial for giving our chocolate chip bundt cake its signature rise and tender texture. Baking powder provides initial lift, while baking soda reacts with the acidic buttermilk and sour cream to create additional carbon dioxide, ensuring a light and fluffy cake.
• Ground Cinnamon: Do not skip this! The subtle warmth and aromatic spice of ground cinnamon truly elevate the chocolate and buttery notes, adding a depth of flavor that makes this bundt cake unforgettable. It’s not overpowering, but rather a perfect enhancement.
• Unsalted Butter: Melted unsalted butter contributes significantly to the cake’s rich, authentic buttery flavor. Using unsalted butter gives you control over the overall salt content of the recipe. Ensure it’s melted and slightly cooled to avoid cooking the eggs when combined.
• Vegetable Oil: The addition of vegetable oil alongside butter is a game-changer for moisture. While butter provides flavor, oil ensures a consistently moist and tender crumb that stays fresh for days. This combination gives you the best of both worlds: flavor and longevity.
• Sour Cream: For the ultimate moist and tender bundt cake, full-fat sour cream is a must. Its fat content adds richness and moisture, while its slight acidity tenderizes the cake crumb. Make sure it’s at room temperature for seamless incorporation into the batter.
• Buttermilk: Room temperature buttermilk is essential for this recipe. Its acidity reacts with the baking soda to create a light, tender cake. Using cold buttermilk can solidify the melted butter in the wet mixture, leading to an inconsistent batter. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup and filling the rest with milk to make 1 cup. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles slightly.
• Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: While regular chocolate chips can work, mini chocolate chips are highly recommended for this bundt cake. Their smaller size ensures better dispersion throughout the batter, preventing them from sinking to the bottom and providing a delightful chocolatey bite in every forkful. Semi-sweet chocolate offers the perfect balance of sweetness and rich cocoa flavor.
• Bittersweet Chocolate (for glaze): For the optional chocolate glaze, bittersweet chocolate (or unsweetened chocolate for a more intense flavor) provides a deep, complex chocolate base. Finely chopping the chocolate is crucial as it helps it melt smoothly and quickly when combined with the other glaze ingredients.
• Powdered Sugar (for glaze): Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this is vital for a silky-smooth glaze. Sifting the powdered sugar before adding it to the melted chocolate mixture will prevent lumps and ensure a perfectly uniform consistency.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Baking Your Perfect Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

Follow these detailed steps to create a show-stopping chocolate chip bundt cake that’s moist, flavorful, and beautifully presented.

1. Prepare the Oven and Pan with Precision: Begin by preheating your oven to 350ºF (175°C). This ensures a consistent baking temperature from the moment your cake enters the oven. Next, liberally spray a 10-12-cup bundt pan with a high-quality nonstick cooking spray that specifically contains flour. Alternatively, you can grease it thoroughly with butter or shortening and then dust it with flour, tapping out any excess. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures your cake releases perfectly, preserving its intricate bundt shape. Set the prepared pan aside.
2. Master the Dry Ingredients Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 3 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine these ingredients. Whisking not only blends them but also aerates the flour, contributing to a lighter cake texture.
3. Craft the Luscious Wet Ingredients Blend: In a separate medium bowl, add 6 tablespoons of melted butter (make sure it’s still warm but not hot), 1/3 cup of vegetable oil, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 cup of packed light brown sugar, and 3 large eggs. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well combined and the sugars start to dissolve. Then, gently whisk in 1/3 cup of room temperature full-fat sour cream, 1 cup of room temperature buttermilk, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. Continue mixing until the entire wet mixture is smooth and evenly incorporated. The room temperature dairy ensures a homogenous batter.
4. Gently Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the prepared wet mixture over the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Using a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon, begin to mix the batter. Stir just until the ingredients are partially combined and you still see some flour streaks. At this point, add 1 1/2 cups of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips. Continue mixing until no dry flour streaks remain, but be very careful not to overmix! Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, dry cake. The batter will be noticeably thick – this is normal and contributes to the cake’s density and moistness.
5. Fill and Prepare for Baking: Carefully spoon the thick batter into the evenly prepared bundt pan. Use your spatula to spread the batter into an even layer, ensuring it fills all the crevices of the pan. For an extra touch of sweetness and a lovely crunchy texture, sprinkle turbinado sugar (coarse sugar) generously over the top of the batter.
6. Bake to Golden Perfection and Cool: Place the bundt pan in your preheated oven and bake the chocolate chip bundt cake for 40-45 minutes. The cake is perfectly done when a toothpick inserted into the thickest part comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached, or completely clean. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for exactly 10 minutes. This allows the cake to firm up slightly, making it easier to handle. After 10 minutes, carefully invert the bundt cake onto a wire cooling rack and allow it to cool completely to room temperature before glazing or serving. This full cooling prevents the cake from breaking and ensures the glaze sets properly.

7. Prepare the Silky Chocolate Glaze: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 3 oz of finely chopped bittersweet chocolate, 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, and 1/4 cup of heavy cream. Heat this mixture in the microwave at 50% power for 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval, until the chocolate and butter are completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Once melted, stir in a pinch of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Finally, gradually whisk in 1 1/4 cups of sifted powdered sugar until the glaze is smooth and free of lumps. Let the glaze sit for 1-5 minutes to allow it to slightly thicken; this consistency is ideal for pouring without it running completely off the cake.
8. Glaze and Serve Your Masterpiece: Once the cake has cooled completely to room temperature (this is critical for the glaze to set properly), carefully place it on a serving plate or a cake stand. Evenly pour the slightly thickened chocolate glaze over the top of the cooled bundt cake, allowing it to artfully drizzle down the sides. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing into generous portions and serving this delightful chocolate chip bundt cake to eager guests. Enjoy!

Expert Recipe Tips for Your Best Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

Achieving bundt cake perfection involves a few clever tricks. Keep these tips in mind for an even more successful and delicious outcome:

Preventing Chocolate Chips from Sinking: One common challenge with chocolate chip cakes is having the chips sink to the bottom. To combat this, mixing the batter partway and then adding the mini chocolate chips helps distribute them more evenly. The partially combined flour mixture will lightly coat the chocolate chips, creating friction and buoyancy that helps keep them suspended throughout the cake during baking. Another excellent technique is to toss the mini chocolate chips in 1 teaspoon of all-purpose flour before adding them to the batter. This light coating helps them adhere to the batter and prevents them from sinking.

Perfect Pan Preparation is Key: While the instructions mention it, we can’t stress enough the importance of thoroughly greasing and flouring your bundt pan. Bundt pans, with their intricate designs, can be notoriously sticky. Use a baking spray that contains flour (like Baker’s Joy or Pam Baking) for the best release. Alternatively, use softened (not melted) butter or shortening to coat every nook and cranny, then dust generously with flour, tapping out all excess. A well-prepared pan ensures your beautiful bundt cake comes out in one piece, perfectly shaped.

Don’t Overmix the Batter: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until the flour streaks disappear and the chocolate chips are evenly distributed. Overmixing the batter develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough, dense, and dry cake. A few small lumps are perfectly fine and often lead to a more tender crumb.

Embrace Room Temperature Ingredients: For most baking recipes, especially cakes, using room temperature wet ingredients (eggs, sour cream, buttermilk) is crucial. Room temperature ingredients emulsify better, creating a smoother, more homogeneous batter. This results in a cake with a finer, more even crumb and a better rise. Cold ingredients can cause the melted butter to solidify, leading to a lumpy batter.

Alternative Topping Ideas: The chocolate topping is completely optional, and this chocolate chip bundt cake is absolutely delightful without it. If you prefer a simpler presentation or want to reduce the sweetness, consider a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch. For a different flavor profile, you could make a simple vanilla glaze, a cream cheese drizzle, or even just serve slices with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries. A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or coarse turbinado sugar (as suggested in the steps) also adds a lovely texture and sparkle.

The Toothpick Test: When checking for doneness, insert a toothpick into the deepest part of the cake. It should come out with a few moist crumbs attached, or completely clean. If it’s wet with batter, continue baking for a few more minutes. If it’s completely dry and crumbly, the cake might be slightly overbaked, but due to the moistness-enhancing ingredients, it should still be delicious!

Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing Your Bundt Cake

Proper handling and storage will ensure your delicious chocolate chip bundt cake stays fresh and enjoyable for as long as possible.

Make Ahead: For the freshest taste and texture, we recommend baking this Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake on the day you plan to serve it. While it tastes great the next day, the peak flavor and moistness are best experienced within hours of baking. If you’re planning to glaze it, ensure the cake is completely cooled before applying the glaze to prevent it from melting or running off.

Storing Leftovers: Any leftover Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake should be stored covered tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days. An airtight cake dome or a tightly wrapped container will prevent it from drying out. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to 5-7 days, though the texture is often best at room temperature.

Freezing for Future Enjoyment: This bundt cake freezes beautifully! If your cake is topped with the chocolate glaze, it’s best to flash freeze it first by placing it uncovered in the freezer for about an hour until the glaze is solid. Then, wrap the entire cake (or individual slices) in 2 layers of plastic wrap, followed by 1 layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. This double-layer protection prevents freezer burn. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply remove the wrapped cake from the freezer and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight, or at room temperature for a few hours. You can also freeze individual slices, which is perfect for portion control or a quick dessert whenever a craving strikes.

Common Questions About Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

Got questions? We’ve got answers to help you bake the best possible chocolate chip bundt cake.

More Delicious Bundt & Cake Recipes You’ll Love

If you’ve enjoyed this delightful chocolate chip bundt cake, be sure to explore these other fantastic recipes:

• Banana Coffee Cake
• Cinnamon Roll Sheet Cake
• Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
• Chocolate Chip Cupcakes