This marbled Christmas bundt cake is easy to make and looks stunning when sliced open to reveal the swirls of chocolate and vanilla cake. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or some ice cream for a special dessert your friends and family will love.
You can vary the decoration to make this a special cake for any Holiday also! For more delicious chocolate desserts, see our Crinkle Brownie Cookies, Sea Salt Chocolate Almond Clusters, and Pecan Upside Down Cake.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This marbled Christmas bundt cake is a showstopper! It's got a beautiful marbled effect and it's so moist and delicious.
If you're looking for an impressive cake for the Holiday's that doesn't require too much effort, this Christmas bundt cake recipe is for you!
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Ingredients
The secret to a cake that stays moist for several days is oil. When we use butter, it firms up when the cake is refrigerated, making the cake texture harder and dryer. Oil, however keeps the cake texture springy and moist.
You'll need the following ingredients for this marble bundt cake recipe:
- Flour
- Vegetable oil (or softened butter)
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Cocoa powder, sifted
- Salt
- Semi Sweet Chocolate (bakers chocolate, or chocolate chips)
- Coconut, shredded or flaked
- Powdered sugar
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make this Christmas Bundt Cake
Start by preheating the oven to 350 F. Grease a deep 7" bundt cake pan with shortening or butter. Lightly dust the inside of the bundt pan with 1 tablespoon of flour. I just shake it about, then tip the excess out.
Step 1. Prepare the Wet Ingredients
Mix the sugar, eggs, and oil in a bowl until light and fluffy.
(If using butter instead of oil, use softened butter and cream with the eggs and sugar.)
Measure the flour, baking powder, and salt into another mixing bowl, whisk to combine.
Add flour mixture to the wet ingredients in 3-4 portions, mixing with a hand mixer.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 2. Add Chocolate to ⅓ of the Batter
Remove ⅓ of the batter to a smaller bowl. Add the sifted cocoa powder. Sifting the cocoa removes lumps.
Using a spoon, spatula, or hand mixer, blend until smooth.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 3. Layer & Bake
Layer the batter into the prepared 7" bundt pan, alternating the batters. Start by spooning or pouring half the vanilla batter into the bottom of the bundt pan.
Then, carefully spoon in the chocolate batter on top of the vanilla layer.
Spoon the rest of the vanilla batter into the pan, on top of the chocolate batter. Bake 40 minute in preheated oven.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 4. Decorate & Serve
Once your cake has baked, let it cool for 8 minutes. Using a serving plate, invert the marble bundt cake onto it so that it turns out onto the serving plate. Let the cake cool completely before decorating.
You can vary the theme for this cake by the decoration, for instance, sprigs of holly of a few snips evergreen are perfect for Christmas. Use pansy's of violets for Easter, carnations or roses for Valentine's!
Melt the chocolate in the microwave in short 30 second bursts, or in a small saucepan on a very low setting.
Stir until smooth and then drizzle on top of the cooled marble bundt cake.
Sprinkle the marble bundt cake top with coconut flakes, letting some scatter at the bottom.
Last, using a fine mesh sieve, add a dusting of powdered sugar.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving Suggestions
Decorated with evergreen, holly sprigs, or with rosemary sprigs and cranberries, this Christmas bundt cake is a showstopper. Even without the holiday decor this cake is a stunning, sensational dessert for any occasion.
Serve with hot coffee or with our Cheesecake Cocktail at your next Holiday event as the pièce de résistance
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Substitutions
If you don't want to use vegetable oil to make this marble bundt cake recipe, than you can use an equal portion of softened butter.
I used semi sweet baking chocolate to melt and drizzle on the top of my cake, however, you can use an equal amount of chocolate chips, or even white chocolate chips.
Variations
I've a Red Velvet marble bundt cake variation for you to try using this recipe also!
- Red Velvet Marble Cake - To make a white batter, substitute the three eggs for 5 egg whites. Remove ⅓ of the mixed batter and add the cocoa powder and 10 drops of red food color. Proceed with the rest of the recipe. Decorate the top using white chocolate.
Equipment
Equipment in this recipe is vital. Your typical bundt cake pan is about 10" to 11" diameter, with the cake being wide and not very tall. This cake is showcased by using a smaller diameter bundt pan, making the cake taller.
Many Instant Pots have a bundt pan accessory. They are absolutely perfect for this, as they are 7" diameter!
Storage
Store your cake at room temperature under a cake plate cover for a day or two. Refrigerate if needing to store longer. You can cut in slices, wrap, and freeze for later also.
Tips for Success
- Be generous with the shortening or butter when you grease the inside of the bundt pan. Make sure to get in the nooks and top design good.
- Dusting the inside of the bundt cake pan with a tablespoon of flour helps teh cake release easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
This cake freezes really well. Cover it with foil, undecorated, and freeze up to 3 months. Let it come completely to room temperature before decorating.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Christmas Bundt Cake
Ingredients
For the Marble Bundt Cake
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cup vegetable oil (or butter, softened)
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder sifted
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Decoration
- ½ cup coconut flaked or shredded
- ½ cup semi sweet chocolate bakers or chips
- ¼ cup powdered sugar sifted
Instructions
For the Marble Bundt Cake
- Start by preheating the oven to 350 F. Grease a deep 7" bundt cake pan with shortening or butter. Lightly dust the inside of the bundt pan with 1 tablespoon of flour. I just shake it about, then tip the excess out.
- Mix the sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla in a bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.¾ cup vegetable oil, 3 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 cups sugar
- In a separate bowl mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to blend.2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in 3 to 4 portions, mixing well after each addition. Spoon out ⅓ of the batter into a smaller bowl.
- Add the sifted cocoa powder to the batter in the small mixing bowl. Blend well.2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- Layer the batter, alternating with half the vanilla batter first, then spoon in the chocolate batter, and top with the remaining vanilla batter. Bake for 40 minutes in prepared oven.
- Remove cake from oven, let cool to 8 minutes. Place serving plate on top of the bundt cake pan, then invert to tip out the cake. Let cool completely before decorating.
Decorating the Marble Bundt Cake
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave in short 30 second bursts, or in a pan on low. Stir until smooth, then pour onto top of the cake.½ cup semi sweet chocolate
- Sprinkle the top with the shredded coconut, then dust with some powdered sugar. Decorate with holly sprigs or evergreen. Serve!½ cup coconut, ¼ cup powdered sugar
Notes
- Be generous with the shortening or butter when you grease the inside of the bundt pan. Make sure to get in the nooks and top design good.
- Dusting the inside of the bundt cake pan with a tablespoon of flour helps teh cake release easily.
- Sift the cocoa powder before adding to the batter, this will break up tiny cocoa lumps.
Nutrition
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