Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake

by Barbara on January 20, 2012

Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake

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A rich, dense, super-moist, sweet chocolate bundt cake drizzled with chocolate ganache. Cakes made in bundt pans seem already dressed up for a party. 

This is the tale of two cakes. We celebrated my husband’s and son’s birthdays last week which was the perfect excuse to break in my new half size (6 cup) bundt pans. (I couldn’t decide if I should call them mini bundts, or if that’s confusing with the small bundlets. King Arthur Flour calls them half size bundts so I guess we’ll go with that.)

Of course, when I was looking for bundt cake recipes I turned to the Food Librarian, Queen of the bundt. I stumbled on the impressive looking Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bundt and just had to make it. The recipe made two half sized bundts and I took one to a sweet neighbor. Although bundts look pretty without a glaze, I decided to sweeten it up a bit with the Chocolate Glaze I use on the Good-For-You Chocolate Pound Cake.

However, my son had asked for chocolate cake with fudge frosting and his favorite ice cream is Cherry Chocolate Chip, so peanut butter cake would never do for his birthday cake. When Maria tweeted about the Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake on Shutterbean I knew that would be the perfect cake for him.

Of course most of the family tried a little slice of each cake. The Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake was the favorite. The Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bundt was more impressive looking, but it was less sweet. The chocolate ganache on the Sour Cream bundt tasted richer and creamier, but it didn’t set up as well and I couldn’t cover it with plastic wrap, so I was glad I had used the Shiny Chocolate Glaze on the Peanut Butter bundt I took to the neighbor.

Now that I have the half sized bundts, I plan to make bundts more often for dessert. Since I know some of you don’t like doing math, here’s the half sized recipe for the Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt cake.

Half Size Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake
(recipe adapted from Bi Rite Market’s Eat Good Food Cookbook)
serves 6

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup water
1 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup and 2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 large egg
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the glaze
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (I used half milk half semi-sweet chocolate)
1 tablespoons agave nectar (or corn syrup)
1/4 cup heavy cream*
1 tablespoons sugar

Directions:

Preheat to 350º. Spray a 6-cup Bundt pan with baking spray with flour and set aside. (You can also use butter and flour, but I’ve had better luck with bundt pans well coated with baking spray with flour.)

In a small saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa powder, salt, and water and cook over medium heat, stirring, just until melted and combined. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Combined the flour, sugar, and baking soda in a mixing bowl. Add half of the melted butter/chocolate mixture and mix until blended (it will be very thick). Mix in the remaining butter mixture. Add the eggs one at a time. Mix in the sour cream and vanilla until smooth.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.

Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes and then invert onto a rack. Let cool completely before making the glaze.

Make the glaze:

Put the chopped chocolate and agave nectar in a medium bowl and set aside.

Combine the heavy cream and sugar in a small saucepan cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the cream is hot and the sugar is dissolved. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. If it’s very runny, let it sit for a minute or so to thicken*. Drizzle over the cake.

*My glaze hadn’t set up after 30 minutes on the counter, so I put it in the fridge for 30 minutes to thicken. Next time I may use a little less cream.

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{ 70 comments… read them below or add one }

marla {family fresh cooking} January 20, 2012 at 6:43 am

Happy b’day to your hubs & son!! These cakes look amazing :)

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Sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more January 20, 2012 at 6:53 am

oh yum, I have never heard of half size bunt pans, they sound like something I need. Darn it!
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Shannon January 20, 2012 at 7:00 am

I am going to have to check these half size bundt pans out. My g’mother always made pound cakes and bundt cakes. I know she had several bundt pans. They always remind me of her. Your cakes look wonderful!
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Melanie January 20, 2012 at 7:08 am

These both sound really good!! I got a 6 cup bundt for Christmas too and the first bundt I made was a chocolate one w/ sour cream also, but the chocolate came from melted bittersweet chocolate. It was very good and not too sweet. My ganache didn’t drizzle well on top so I’m thinking I should have just added a little more cream to thin it.
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kelley January 20, 2012 at 7:14 am

What is it about bundt cakes? They are my favorite to make! Happy birthday to your husband and son!
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Paula January 20, 2012 at 7:22 am

Happy birthday to the men in your life! That chocolate drizzle looks amazing and I love the little bundts!
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Lynda January 20, 2012 at 7:31 am

I love everything about bundt cakes; they are already partly decorated, and usally they are a dense and moist cake. Yours looks fantastic Barbara-I’m sure your guys loved them.

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Sarah, Maison Cupcake January 20, 2012 at 8:01 am

That looks divine and even better to have a different colour inside. Glorious!
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Rosa January 20, 2012 at 8:10 am

I love Bundt Cakes and this one looks really decadent! Happy Birthday to the men in your life.

Cheers,

Rosa

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Rocky Mountain Woman January 20, 2012 at 9:01 am

I think the less sweet peanut butter one is probably perfect for my son who LOVES peanut butter. He is coming up this weekend with my little grandson so I am thinking they need one or maybe both of these!
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natalie (the sweets life) January 20, 2012 at 11:12 am

I love bundt cakes but only have the full-sized pan…I’ll have to look into the smaller ones! These both sound fabulous!
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a spoonful of yumm January 20, 2012 at 11:16 am

i love the deep dark color & the texture looks fabulous….
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Susan January 20, 2012 at 1:09 pm

Being a chocolate lover, your chocolate sour cream bundt cake looks like heaven to me! I’ll have to look into those half-size bundt pans.
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Nisrine M. January 20, 2012 at 2:00 pm

Wowza, this is beyong gorgeous!! Love it, Barb!

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Annalise January 20, 2012 at 2:02 pm

How funny! First donuts on the same day, now chocolate cake. What are you posting next? ;)

I must say the picture of the chocolate peanut butter cake stopped me short. But it sounds like I need to try the chocolate sour cream one instead. My bundt pan has been collecting too much dust in the cupboard, time to pull it out!
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Katie {Epicurean Mom Blog} January 20, 2012 at 2:06 pm

Barbara, this looks Soooooo good! I love combination! Brilliant! Happy B-day to your hubby and son! :)

xx

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angela@spinachtiger January 20, 2012 at 2:15 pm

I’m all for the sour cream bundt cake with the chocolate glaze. Love it. Want it now. I’m wondering if I could make it using the thick Greek yogurt.

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Barbara January 20, 2012 at 2:18 pm

I don’t know why you couldn’t sub Greek yogurt. I think it would work just fine.
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sandie January 20, 2012 at 4:54 pm

Looks divine Barbara. You should play around with the peanut butter version ’cause that looks sinful… Best, Sandie
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Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl January 20, 2012 at 5:51 pm

Love those bundt pans…I have just a regular one, so I’m going to have to be on the lookout for these! Both of the cakes look gorgeous! Happy birthday to both of your guys!
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My Inner Chick January 20, 2012 at 8:09 pm

–Gorgeous.

Happy birthday to hubs & sons.

OOOO, chocolate, sour cream, cherry…. OOO
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Jamie January 21, 2012 at 1:33 am

Barbara, my birthday is next week, can you make me one of these (or both?)?? Gorgeous! Absolutely mouthwateringly beautiful! You are such a Queen of Baking! I have a big Bundt pan and bundlet pans but I love the idea of dividing one recipe into two half-size bundt pans and giving one as a gift…. one whole cake is too much for us. Or, as you do, dividing into two flavors. Beautiful! xo
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Valérie ( France ) January 21, 2012 at 2:42 am

C’est une couronne ce qu’il y a de plus gourmand et bien belle
Je te souhaite un agréable Week-End
Valérie.
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C&T January 21, 2012 at 4:47 am

Divine! :)

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baker in disguise January 21, 2012 at 4:49 am

I have to make a bundt cake..I have to make a bundt cake!!! these look so chocolatey and delish!!
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Angie@Angie's Recipes January 21, 2012 at 6:33 am

The cake looks really rich and tempting with chocolate frosting!
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Deborah January 21, 2012 at 8:45 am

I think I’d take a slice of each! And I’m loving those half-sized bundt pans – I think I need one!
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Alison @ Ingredients, Inc January 21, 2012 at 10:25 am

This looks amazing!

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Kim January 21, 2012 at 2:50 pm

My Mom and I always say that cake is so much better when it’s baked in a bundt form. The peanut butter swirl looks so tempting, but I’m with you. I think chocolate and chocolate is sometimes the best way to satisfy that chocolate craving.
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Snippets of Thyme (Sarah) January 21, 2012 at 3:21 pm

What adorable birthday bundts. I’ll have to remember this because my son would LOVE to have his own cake just for him.

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Kim of Mo'Betta January 21, 2012 at 3:29 pm

My birthday is in August. Just sayin’ ;) Looks FABulous!
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Sandy @Southwestgirl January 21, 2012 at 4:55 pm

Well, between your gorgeous bundt cake and Annalise’s Chocolate Cola Cake, I feel like I broke my diet just surfing the web :)
Happy Birthday to all!

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Sandy @Southwestgirl January 21, 2012 at 5:05 pm

P.S. I love the sour cream in your chocolate cake. I think the tangy flavor really makes the chocolate more “chocolate-y” and not so sweet.
Hope that’s a word :)
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anne January 21, 2012 at 6:04 pm

They look so glossy and very chocolatey! Great sized cake too, don’t think seen 1/2 size pans in the UK..not that I need any more tins!

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Claire @ Claire K Creations January 21, 2012 at 6:41 pm

I’ve never seen the tins either.. yet another pan you’re encouraging me to buy!

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Daisy@Nevertoosweet January 22, 2012 at 12:34 am

These bundt tins are great! I’m always looking for smaller tins because my friends and family are always complaining I make too much cake :)

Do you know where i can get these tins? :D
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Barbara January 22, 2012 at 7:38 am

I ordered them from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Pro-Form-Bundt/dp/B000BRGMUO/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1327242691&sr=1-2. I have the same problem with too much cake with a big bundt.

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Deb January 22, 2012 at 1:16 pm

I adore Bundt cakes! Chocolate sour cream is so compelling! My mom would make them regularly and of course prepare them for her social events. (I am mystified as to how cupcakes regained favor while Bundt’s fell out of fashion.) Add, yes I own several Bundt pans. I am fond of the heavier pans and often find them for a good price at the Home Store or Marshall’s. End of confession!

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BethieofVA January 22, 2012 at 1:41 pm

As always………..YUM!!!!!!!!!!!

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Shelby January 22, 2012 at 5:25 pm

This is beautiful! I am loving the center of the cake!
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teresa January 22, 2012 at 5:29 pm

my husband caught this picture from across the room and exclaimed “ooooh, what’s that, i want that!” haha, so do i!
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Mercedes January 22, 2012 at 5:56 pm

This looks mouthwateringly delicious! I am so glad that I just purchased a couple of bundt pans-just in time!
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JG January 22, 2012 at 6:27 pm

The men in your family must have enjoyed their b’day cakes! The cakes look so good.
~Judy
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Linda V @ Bubble and Sweet January 22, 2012 at 8:01 pm

Oh which to choose….I’d have to have a slice of each just like the rest of your family cause they both sound too delicious.
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Kitchen Belleicious January 23, 2012 at 5:19 am

i love the picture that shows the beautiful inside of the cake! this is so delicious and your men are very lucky
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Maria January 23, 2012 at 8:21 am

I still need to make this cake! Looks so good!
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Megan January 23, 2012 at 9:34 am

I love the idea of a half size Bundt pan. With my small family, it would be perfect. And the cake looks killer! I’m going to go check out the pans. Did you get yours at KA?

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Barbara January 23, 2012 at 9:52 am

Nope – I ordered them from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Pro-Form-Bundt/dp/B000BRGMUO/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1327242691&sr=1-2. It would be perfect for your little family. You should order two. You could eat one, freeze one or give one away to friends.
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Jenn and Seth (@HomeSkilletCook) January 23, 2012 at 11:39 am

ohh wow, just found your blog through foodblogs…you have so many delicious things on here! I will definitely be trying this bundt cake sometime :)

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Elizabeth January 23, 2012 at 1:58 pm

I love sour cream and cream cheese cakes!

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gloria January 23, 2012 at 4:35 pm

barbara this cake look amazing!!! love it!
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Iris January 23, 2012 at 5:52 pm

Those just look absolutely beautiful! Happy birthday to your husband and son!

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Ilke January 23, 2012 at 6:19 pm

Do they know how lucky they are? Always wish for rich chocolate homemade cake for my birthday! Looks awesome!
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