Craving something rich, fudgy, and irresistibly chocolatey? This chocolate brownie cake with ganache combines the best of both worlds with a moist, fluffy cake and the dense, chewy texture of classic brownies.
It’s an easy dessert made with simple pantry ingredients, then finished with a glossy homemade chocolate ganache that tastes like it came from a bakery.
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This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2018 with new photos and updated information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- Tried, Loved, and Rated 5 Stars!
- Mixing Brownie and Cake Mix Together
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Directions
- What Size Cake Pan to Use?
- Chocolate Ganache Recipe
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Storing and Thawing Tips
- More Cake Mix Recipes You'll LOVE!
- Recipe FAQ's
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- 🗒️Shopping List
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 10 min | Cook/Bake: 50 min | Difficulty: Easy | Servings: 12
Main Ingredients: brownie mix, chocolate cake mix, eggs, oil, water, chocolate chips, heavy cream
Why You’ll Love It: Combines brownie and cake mixes for a rich, fudgy texture and is topped with a simple homemade chocolate ganache.
Best For: Family desserts, potlucks, and simple chocolate treats.
Equipment Needed: 12-cup bundt cake pan
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Tried, Loved, and Rated 5 Stars!
I made this cake today and WOW it's so good, very moist and I put a fudge icing . This is a keeper recipe and it's so easy to make! Thank you!
~ Jason
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mixing Brownie and Cake Mix Together
Brownie and Cake Mix Texture: Combining brownie mix with cake mix gives you the best of both worlds: the fudgy richness of brownies with the soft, fluffy texture of cake.
Made with Pantry Staples: This recipe uses boxed mixes and everyday ingredients you likely already have, making it quick and easy to bake anytime.
Homemade Chocolate Ganache: A simple ganache poured over the top adds a smooth, glossy finish and deep chocolate flavor.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Great for family gatherings or weeknight desserts, this cake is always a hit with chocolate lovers.
Looking for more cake mix recipes? Try my Brownie Mix Mint Chip Cookies that also uses a box of brownie mix to create delicious cookies or my German Chocolate Cake recipe that's full of coconut flavor!
Main Ingredients Needed
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Substitutions and Variations
Skip the ganache: If you don’t want to make homemade ganache, warm a can of chocolate frosting in the microwave for a few seconds until it’s pourable. It spreads beautifully over the cake for the same glossy finish.
Add some crunch: Stir chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter before baking, or sprinkle them over the top of the ganache for extra texture and flavor.
Try a coconut twist: If you love coconut, mix a little into the ganache or sprinkle shredded coconut on top for a sweet, chewy touch.
Please note: This recipe uses TWO cake mixes. Do not follow any of the directions on the back of the boxes and only add the ingredients I have listed below in the recipe card.
Step-by-Step Directions
This section includes step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Add both the chocolate cake mix and brownie mix to a large bowl. Then add the eggs, water, and oil. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, mix until everything is well combined and no dry mix remains.
Step 2: Pour the batter into a greased bundt pan and bake for 50–55 minutes.
What Size Cake Pan to Use?
For this recipe, I used a 12 inch, 12 cup capacity bundt cake pan.
Nordic Ware Original Bundt, 12-Cup, Graphite
Step 3: Check the cake around 45 minutes by inserting a toothpick or skewer—if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, it's done. Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes, loosen the edges with a knife, then turn it out onto a rack and cool completely before glazing.
Chocolate Ganache Recipe
Step 4: Heat heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl for about 2 minutes, just until it begins to boil, then add chocolate morsels and let sit for 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth and shiny—at first it may look separated, but keep stirring and it will come together.
Step 5: Pour the glaze over the cooled cake, letting it drip down the sides. Since it's very rich, you may want to save some—it's perfect over ice cream later.
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
✔️ DO use a 10–12 cup Bundt pan, start checking at 45 minutes, and let the cake cool completely before adding the ganache.
❌ DO NOT follow the instructions on the cake or brownie mix boxes or overheat the cream. Warm it until steaming, not boiling.
Storing and Thawing Tips
Refrigerator: It's best to store any leftover in the refrigerator for up to five days in an airtight container to keep it fresh and prevent the ganache from melting.
Freezer: You can freeze the cake for up to one month. First wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in an airtight freezer bag before placing it in the freezer.
Thawing Tips: When ready to eat and enjoy the cake, allow the cake to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving the next day.
More Cake Mix Recipes You'll LOVE!
Ready for More Cake Mix Recipe Hacks? Try my Chocolate Sugar Cookies or Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cake.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
To make brownie mix more cake-like, add 1–2 teaspoons of baking powder for fluffiness and ⅓ cup of oil or melted butter for extra moisture. Then, prepare and bake the mix according to the package instructions.
A single box of brownie mix usually fits an 8x8 or 9x9-inch pan, while two boxes need a larger 9x13-inch dish. Always check the box for specific pan size and baking time, as they can vary by brand.
Yes, you can divide the batter into lined muffin tins, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake at the same temperature, but start checking for doneness around 18–22 minutes. Once cooled, spoon or dip the tops in the ganache for an easy finish.
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🗒️Shopping List
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📖 Recipe Card
Chocolate Brownie Cake
Video
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix; 15.25 ounce size box
- 1 box fudge brownie mix; 18.3 ounce size box
- 4 eggs
- 1 ¼ cup water
- 1 cup oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate morsels
Method
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Add both the chocolate cake mix and brownie mix to a large bowl. Then add the eggs, water, and oil. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, mix until everything is well combined and no dry mix remains.
- Pour batter into prepared bundt pan that's been sprayed with non-stick baking spray and bake for 50-55 minutes.
- When done baking, remove cake and allow to cool in pan for up to five minutes.
- Run a knife along the edges of the cake pan to help release the cake and then carefully turn the cake out onto a cooling rack.
- Cool for 30 minutes more.
- Place heavy whipping cream in a microwave safe bowl and heat on high for two minutes or just until the heavy cream begins to boil.
- Remove the bowl from the microwave and carefully add the chocolate morsels.
- The mixture may bubble up, this is okay!
- Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes and then begin to whisk until shiny and smooth, about 1 minute.
- At first it may look like the glaze is not going to get smooth. But keep stirring and it will come together.
- Pour over cooled cake and allow the glaze to drizzle down the sides of the cake.
- You can serve it right away or allow the glaze to cool.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
Rhonda says
I just read this recipe but you don't mention anything abut adding the brownie mix to the batter. I assume you do.
Lois says
Thanks so much for catching that! You were absolutely right, that step wasn’t as clear as it should have been. I’ve updated the recipe to specify that both the chocolate cake mix and brownie mix get added to the bowl along with the other ingredients.
I really appreciate you taking the time to point that out so I could fix it. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Rhonda says
I'm glad I caught it as well. Going to make this tomorrow for our Church Bake Sale.
Rhonda
Cindy says
Can these be made into cupcakes?
Lois says
Yes! You can make these into cupcakes, although I haven’t personally tried it with this recipe yet. Divide the batter into lined muffin tins, filling each about 2/3 full, and bake at the same temperature. Start checking around 18–22 minutes since cupcakes bake faster.
For the ganache, let it cool slightly, then either spoon it over the tops or dip the cooled cupcakes into the ganache for a smooth, glossy finish.
If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how they turn out!
Maria says
Thank you for sharing your Chocolate Brownie Cake recipe at the Senior Salon Pit Stop party this week. I’m excited to be featuring it at the party tomorrow. Sharing on Facebook and pinned.
Hugs,
Maria @ kraftyplanner.com
Cara ~ Vintage Style Gal says
I have never made a bundt cake before, but I have been wanting to try one. We like brownies, and who wouldn't love more chocolate? Thank you for sharing with Whimsy Home Wednesday.
Lois says
Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Connie O says
I made this cake today for our dinner. It turned out great. I did use a sugar free cake mix and brownie mix. It didn’t make any difference.
Lois says
Thank you for letting us know!
Lemon says
Made this today! Easy and delicious. I sliced it in half and added a peanut butter fluff filling and chopped reeses! So delicious! Will definitely keep this as a go to recipe! Thanks
Lois says
That sounds amazing! Thank you for leaving a comment!
ColleenB.~TX. says
I large bundt cake is a bit much for just hubby and myself, so I make into cupcakes or will use my mini bundt cake pan and make individual bundt cakes; putting some in the freezer to have for another time or will share with our neighbor.
C says
Thank you! This is delicious!. Love the crunchy outside and tender crumb on the inside! That ganache is excellent.
Lois says
Thank you for the wonderful comment!
Mira says
Mistakenly purchased a supreme brownie mix, so it included chocolate chips, and used it to make this cake. This was a delightful mistake and will continue the recipe with this small adaption. Thanks for sharing!
Lois says
Thank you for the great comment!
J says
I haven't made it yet. But it looks delicious and easy. I can't wait. I have to go buy a couple things. I'm definitely going to make it. I have a bundt pan I haven't used in a very long time! I usually make cupcakes or a 9×13 cake. I'll shock my son with something different! LOL
Thanks for Sharing Your Recipe ♡♡
Lois says
Let me know if you try the recipe! Thanks for visiting!
Sundae says
I'm planning to make the Pumpkin Pinata cake (2 bundt cakes stacked together (bottom one upside down) with candy in the middle. Do you think this cake sturdy enough for this? Or is it too moist to hold up?
Lois says
I think it might the cakes might be too moist, but you never really know until you try, right? Let me know how it came out!