If you’ve ever dreamed of serving up a show-stopping dessert that perfectly captures the warmth of the holidays, you’ll fall in love with Brazilian Chocolate Spice Bundt Cake with Festive Glaze. This lush, cocoa-rich Bundt cake weaves together aromatic cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, then finishes with a glossy chocolate glaze and a joyful shower of colorful sprinkles. Whether you’re hosting an elegant winter dinner or want a cozy treat to share with loved ones, this cake is sure to become your new favorite centerpiece.

Brazilian Chocolate Spice Bundt Cake with Festive Glaze Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

There’s something magical about how simple pantry staples transform into a special treat when carefully combined! Each ingredient in this Brazilian Chocolate Spice Bundt Cake with Festive Glaze plays a starring role, from velvety cocoa for richness, to buttermilk and coffee for ultimate moistness and depth of flavor. Here’s what you’ll need and why every bit counts:

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for your cake, giving it a tender, classic crumb.
Sugar: White granulated sugar creates the sweet base and a beautiful golden color.
Brown sugar: Adds a subtle caramel note and extra moisture—don’t skip it!
Cocoa powder: Gives the cake its rich chocolate essence—Dutch-processed or natural both work!
Baking soda & baking powder: This dynamic duo ensures the cake rises perfectly and stays super light.
Salt: A tiny bit balances the sweetness and sharpens the spices and chocolate.
Ground cinnamon: This beloved spice is essential for that signature cozy warmth.
Nutmeg: A little bit goes a long way, lending an unmistakable festive aroma.
Ground cloves: Just half a teaspoon gives a rich, spicy undertone reminiscent of holidays in Brazil.
Buttermilk: Makes your cake incredibly moist and adds a subtle tang—perfect to balance the cocoa.
Vegetable oil: Keeps every crumb luscious and soft (no dry cake here!).
Eggs: The binding powerhouse that helps your cake hold together and rise.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and amplifies both chocolate and spices.
Hot coffee: Secret ingredient! Intensifies the chocolate flavor and makes the cake even more tender.
Semisweet chocolate chips (for glaze): Set the stage for an irresistible, silky glaze.
Heavy cream (for glaze): Lends shine and luxurious texture to the chocolate topping.
Butter (for glaze): Pulls everything together in the glaze and adds just a hint of richness.
Colorful sprinkles & candy pearls (optional garnish): The more festive, the better—just scatter on top for that holiday magic!

How to Make Brazilian Chocolate Spice Bundt Cake with Festive Glaze

Step 1: Prep the Bundt Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease and flour a Bundt pan—this ensures the cake releases beautifully with those signature swirls. If you’ve ever anxiously waited to see if your cake comes out in one piece, you know this detail matters!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Give everything a good whisk to evenly distribute the leaveners and spices. This is the secret to a well-risen, perfectly spiced cake.

Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In a second bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. The mixture should look smooth and well-blended, with no streaks of eggs or lumps of sugar.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined; don’t overmix or you’ll lose that tender crumb! Now, pour in the hot coffee slowly, stirring as you go. The batter will appear quite loose, almost like thick hot chocolate—that’s exactly what you want for this Brazilian Chocolate Spice Bundt Cake with Festive Glaze.

Step 5: Bake

Carefully pour the chocolatey batter into your prepared Bundt pan. Transfer it to the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs. Your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly!

Step 6: Cool and Unmold

Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes—this helps it set and makes unmolding much easier. Invert the pan onto a wire rack and give it a gentle tap. Allow the cake to cool completely before glazing. Patience pays off here!

Step 7: Prepare the Chocolate Glaze

To make the glossy topping, heat heavy cream and butter in a small saucepan just until it simmers. Pour it over the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl, then let it sit for two minutes. Stir everything together until you get a rich, pourable glaze—so shiny you can almost see your reflection.

Step 8: Glaze and Decorate

Drizzle the warm glaze all over the cooled cake, letting it flow over the ridges. Finish by scattering colorful sprinkles and red and green candy pearls on top. Your Brazilian Chocolate Spice Bundt Cake with Festive Glaze is now ready to dazzle!

How to Serve Brazilian Chocolate Spice Bundt Cake with Festive Glaze

Garnishes

This cake is a feast for the eyes! Top with a crown of colorful sprinkles, red and green candy pearls, or even a dusting of edible glitter for a wintery shimmer. The more playful and vibrant, the better—this is a cake that loves to be dressed up for the festivities.

Side Dishes

While the Brazilian Chocolate Spice Bundt Cake with Festive Glaze is absolutely stunning on its own, you can pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of cinnamon-infused whipped cream for extra indulgence. A strong cup of espresso or a glass of port makes for a delightful finish to a holiday meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve slices on vintage dessert plates for a classic holiday table, or create mini tasting platters with fresh berries, candied citrus peel, and dark chocolate curls. If you’re feeling creative, garnish each slice with a tiny sprig of rosemary or a twist of orange zest for a pop of color and fragrance.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftover cake tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. It will stay moist and flavorful at room temperature for 2-to-3 days, making it perfect for holiday snacking or next-day breakfast with coffee.

Freezing

You can freeze the unglazed cake for up to two months! Wrap it well in a double layer of plastic wrap and foil. When you’re ready, let the cake thaw at room temperature, then glaze and decorate just before serving for maximum freshness and eye appeal.

Reheating

If you like your cake slightly warm, simply pop a slice in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This will give your Brazilian Chocolate Spice Bundt Cake with Festive Glaze a gooey, just-baked feel—especially dreamy if you serve it with a scoop of melting ice cream.

FAQs

Can I substitute the buttermilk?

Absolutely! Make your own buttermilk by mixing 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes and you’re ready to bake—this keeps your cake moist and tender.

What type of cocoa powder works best?

Both Dutch-processed and natural cocoa work well, though Dutch-processed will give a slightly deeper color and smoother chocolate flavor.

Can I make this cake ahead for a party?

Yes, the cake can be made a day in advance and kept wrapped at room temperature. For best results, glaze and decorate the day you plan to serve so the topping stays glossy and the sprinkles vibrant.

Is there a non-coffee substitute for the hot coffee?

If you’d prefer not to use coffee, simply swap in hot water. The coffee deepens the chocolate flavor, but water works too—your Brazilian Chocolate Spice Bundt Cake with Festive Glaze will still be delicious!

Can I use a different pan?

This recipe is designed for a Bundt pan, but you could use two loaf pans instead. Just watch the bake time and start checking for doneness after about 35 minutes.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll treat yourself and your loved ones to the joy of baking this Brazilian Chocolate Spice Bundt Cake with Festive Glaze. It’s the kind of memorable dessert that brings people together, brightens any holiday table, and fills your home with the warmest festive aroma. Just one slice and you’ll see why it will quickly become your new holiday tradition!

Brazilian Chocolate Spice Bundt Cake with Festive Glaze Recipe