This hot chocolate cake is the perfect cake for the holidays! It’s a homemade cake from scratch that uses hot chocolate mix in the batter and then is topped with a marshmallow frosting. It’s a decadent chocolate cake that is great for the winter months. Let me show you how to make this hot cocoa mix cake today!
Hot chocolate is one of our favorite things to drink during the winter months. Homemade hot chocolate is on constant rotation. We always have hot chocolate mix on hand for a quick fix. This cake is the perfect way to use up hot cocoa mix and turn it into one decadent treat. The marshmallow frosting is literally the icing on this hot cocoa cake.
Hot chocolate cake mix
This homemade chocolate cake uses hot cocoa mix in the batter to give it a great depth of flavor. It makes the cake dense, moist and taste just like a cup of hot chocolate. It is then topped with an easy frosting or glaze that is made with marshmallows. It’s like a cup of hot chocolate in cake form!
Hot cocoa mix cake ingredients
This is a homemade cake with a super simple frosting or glaze. To make this hot cocoa cake you will need:
- flour
- sugar
- baking soda
- salt
- baking powder
- Hot Chocolate Mix
- butter
- eggs
- vanilla
- mini marshmallows
Flour – Plain white flour works best for this chocolate cake recipe.
Hot chocolate mix – You can use the mix that comes in individual bags or you can use in a canister. I like using the Starbucks hot chocolate mix in a can. It tastes great and can be used over and over.
Marshmallows – Mini marshmallows melt faster, but you can use any size you have on hand.
Can hot chocolate powder be used for cakes?
Absolutely and if you are looking for a cake with hot chocolate mix then you are in luck! This easy chocolate cake recipe was given more then two thumbs up. It was given at least three, if not more. Short answer, yes you can use hot chocolate in a cake and it’s pretty dang delicious too.
How to make a hot chocolate cake with hot chocolate powder
Once you have gathered all your ingredients your will also need to grab:
- measuring cups and spoons
- mixing bowls
- hand held mixer
- sauce pan
- spatula
- bundt pan
Step 1 Combine all the dry ingredients You are going to want to combine all your dry ingredients together to start. Combine everything except the hot chocolate powder. I like to use a large bowl for this step since everything else will be added in it eventually. Whisk together to combine.
Step 2 Mix in hot chocolate mix Next you want to add your hot water and the hot chocolate mix in a separate bowl. Mix until combine and there are no clumps. Allow it to cool slightly.
Step 3 Combine the wet and dry ingredients Slowly pour the wet ingredients (the hot chocolate/water mixture) to the dry ingredients. Whisk or mix to combine everything so that the mixture is smooth. Add in the eggs and vanilla and combine well.
Step 4 Pour into prepared bundt pan Make sure that you butter and flour your bundt pan before you pour the hot chocolate cake mixture into it. You can also use a cooking spray that has flour in it if you prefer. Just make sure it is coated well so that the cake doesn’t stick.
Step 5 Bake Bake your hot chocolate cake for 1 hour. Check to make sure it’s done by inserting a toothpick into the cake. It should come out clean.
Step 6 Make and frost the cake The frosting is just as good as the cake in this recipe and it’s super simple to make. You just mix together the butter and marshmallows in a saucepan until combined. Then you drizzle it over the cooled hot chocolate cake. It makes for hot chocolate cake perfection!
Can I use any flavor hot chocolate?
Yes! You can use any flavor hot chocolate mix that you like. A dark chocolate or salted caramel hot chocolate would make great additions to this cake. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand as well.
What does hot chocolate cake taste like?
This cake tastes like a warm cup of hot chocolate, in cake form! It’s dense, soft and full of chocolate flavor. The marshmallow frosting on top is like having mini marshmallows in your cup of hot cocoa.
Can I use a different frosting?
You sure can. You can use a variety of different frostings for this cake. A classic vanilla buttercream would be great. Chocolate or fudge frosting would also make delicious additions to this hot cocoa cake. Feel free to use your favorite frosting in place of the easy marshmallow frosting.
How to store leftovers
Place any leftover cake in an airtight container such as a Tupperware or a cake carrier. You can keep this cake on the counter for up to 4 days.
Can I freeze hot chocolate cake?
You can freeze this cake! I suggest freezing slices of the cake instead of the whole thing. Place the slices between layers of parchment paper and put in a Ziplock bag. Place the bag in the freezer. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
A few hints about this hot chocolate cake from scratch recipe:
-Do not add the eggs to the hot water. Add them to the flour mixture before the hot chocolate/water mix.
-Margarine is not recommended for most baking since it has as little as 35% fat — the rest is mostly water. It would change the outcome of the recipe.
-The recipe calls for 1 cup of melted butter which would be 2 sticks of butter, melted.
-Cake should rise well in high altitude areas, per a reader comment.
Other hot chocolate recipes to try
Hot chocolate, especially during the winter months is a favorite around here! Some of our other loved hot chocolate recipes are:
- Smores hot chocolate
- Hot chocolate cheesecake
- White hot chocolate
- Zebra hot chocolate
- Boozy white hot chocolate
Hot Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
- For the cake
- 2 3/4 cups flour
- 1 1/2 cup of sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup Hot Chocolate Mix
- 1 1/2 cups hot/boiling water
- 1 cup melted butter
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- For the marshmallow frosting
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
For the cake -
Preheat oven to 350.
Mix the dry ingredients together in a larger bowl, except the hot chocolate mix.
In a separate bowl, blend the hot or boiling water and the hot chocolate mix. Allow the hot chocolate mixture to cool slightly.
Slowly start adding the hot chocolate mixture to the flour mixture. Add in the eggs, vanilla and melted better. Stir to combine well.
Pour into a floured bundt pan and bake for 1 hour.
For the frosting -
Melt the butter in a saucepan after the cake has cooled.
Add the marshmallows and mix until smooth.
Pour over the cooled caked and allow to set.
Notes
Depending on the type of bundt pan you use your time may be a little more or less. I'd start at 45 minutes and add more time as needed.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 4794Cholesterol: 1293mgSodium: 4158mgCarbohydrates: 622gFiber: 10gSugar: 342gProtein: 65g
Want even more easy homemade cake recipes? Check out –
- Carrot sheet cake – a potluck family favorite!
- Chocolate peanut butter bacon cake – all of my favorite things combined!
- Salted caramel apple cake -it’s fall in cake form!
Also, check out these posts from my friends:
Did you make this recipe? I’d love for you to leave a review in the recipe card above or the comments below.
Want to make it later? Pin the image below to your favorite dessert board. Either way – THANK YOU for the support!
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Ashley says
The directions for adding the eggs is not clear in the instructions. I waited until the chocolate mixture cooled a bit. It was still hot but I’m praying they didn’t scramble and comes out ok. If I make this again I’ll be sure to add eggs last.
Kelley says
I apologize for the confusion – my instructions were not very clear. You add the hot chocolate mixture to the dry ingredients after allowing it to cool slightly. Mix to combine and then add the eggs, vanilla and melted butter. I updated my directions. I hope your cake turned out well!
Jen says
Can you combine the hot chocolate mix with milk instead of water?
Kelley says
Yes, you can!
Blue says
Ya know, really the hot chocolate mix is not added to the batter. Hot chocolate is. Looks like you are making the hot chocolate and adding that to the batter. I plan on making this today. I am sure it will be good. Tho, I plan on adding marshmellow bits to the batter.