Black Russian Cake Recipe (with Kahlua)
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Black Russian Cake is a boozy cake infused with Kahlua and vodka and topped with a rich chocolate ganache. It’s a semi-homemade chocolate cake recipe that just begs for a party.
This moist and delicious Kahlua cake looks like it came from a bakery but is easy enough to make at home.
This post was originally posted in 2016 and has been updated to improve our readers’ experience. No changes were made to the recipe.
This Black Russian chocolate cake is a deep chocolate moist cake that is perfect for any occasion. If you like Kahlua, you’re going to love this cake.
Why is it called a Black Russian Cake?
This cake gets its name from a cocktail called a Black Russian which is made of Kahlua and vodka. You will not want to show restraint when it comes to my Black Russian Cake with Kahlua and vodka!
Black Russian Cake Recipe Ingredients
Kahlua cake with yellow cake mix
- Yellow Cake Mix. Any brand of cake mix will do.
- Chocolate Pudding. You want the cook-and-serve box. Do not get instant pudding.
- Granulated White Sugar.
- Vegetable Oil. All cakes need a little bit of fat content to keep the cake moist.
- Water.
- Vodka. No need to get a special kind. See the section on variations if you don’t want to use vodka.
- Kahlua. A coffee liqueur made from 100% Arabica coffee, rum, and sugar.
- Eggs. This cake uses four Grade A large eggs.
Kahlua Filling for the Russian Chocolate Cake
Poke cakes such as this Lemon Pudding Poke cake have gained popularity since I first made this cake. The premise is the same and quite easy to do.
- Kahlua. This liqueur is used in mixed drinks and works wonderfully for baking applications.
- Powdered Sugar. Did you know — if you don’t have powdered sugar you can make your own. See the instructions here.
Ganache Ingredients
What is a ganache? It’s a fancy word for a smooth chocolate glaze.
- Bar Chocolate. Do not use chocolate chips to make the ganache because chips have stabilizers that cause the chips to hold their shape. It will mess up your beautiful ganache.
- Heavy Whipping Cream. Make sure you do not get “ultra-pasteurized”. It will not work for making a ganache.
How to Make a Black Russian Chocolate Cake
This cake may look a little fancy but it’s quick and easy. It’s semi-homemade, starting with a cake mix. No one would ever know because this Kahlua chocolate cake with its creamy filling and chocolate ganache is bakery delicious.
Step 1: Combine and bake
Preheat the oven and prepare the pan. I give you pan variations below.
Combine the cake ingredients together in the bowl of an electric mixer. Blend until smooth. Pour the mix into the prepared pan and bake. Allow the cake to cool while you prepare the Kahlua glaze.
Step 2: Kahlua filling
In a small bowl, mix the Kahlua with the powdered sugar and stir together until blended.
Run a knife along the edges of the cake pan and turn out the cake onto a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Poke holes into the cake using a skewer or other long sharp item. Pour the Kahlua over the cake and allow it to soak into the cake.
Step 3: Chocolate Ganache
Chop up the chocolate bar and put it in a microwave-safe bowl. Pour enough cream over the chocolate to just barely cover the chocolate. Microwave at 1-minute increments at 50% power, stirring after each increment until smooth.
Pour the warm ganache over the cake.
Tips and Variations on the Black Russian Cake
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- I baked this decadent chocolate cake in an angel food cake pan because I wanted a flat top for decorating. You could use any bundt pan for a beautiful Black Russian Bundt cake or you could use another shaped cake pan. For help with converting, check out my cake pan cheat sheet.
- Instead of a ganache topping, use a Kahlua frosting or glaze, or just dust it with powdered sugar (after it’s completely cooled).
- Add chocolate chips or chunks to the cake batter for a special touch.
- Substitute the yellow cake mix with a chocolate cake mix for an extra intense chocolate flavor.
- My ganache was still a bit thick so, while not perfect, it was still delicious. If your ganache is on the thick side, add a little more cream while it’s still hot.
- Another great option to top the Black Russian cake with Kahlua filling would be to sprinkle it with toasted coconut, crushed nuts, or chocolate sprinkles.
- I was inspired to make this cake after I learned how to make modeling chocolate and wanted a special chocolate Kahlua cake to decorate. This technique is a lot of fun if you want to make a fancier cake, but it’s absolutely not necessary. The cake is impressive enough with a simple ganache.
If baking scares or confuses you, check out our Baking Basics Techniques, Tools, and Ingredients article.
What can you substitute for Vodka?
This boozy Kahlua chocolate cake looks a little intimidating, but it’s so easy to make. This cake is beautiful without fancy decorating. You can just make the smooth ganache and you’re good to go.
If you don’t want to use vodka or don’t have any on hand you can substitute water or coffee and still have a delicious cake.
Storing Leftover Cake
Since this cake has dairy as an ingredient, it’s best to store this cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in a covered container. Chilling this cake also keeps this cake from becoming soggy.
This cake also freezes well in an airtight container. It can be frozen with or without the ganache topping.
You can freeze the cake as a whole or you can put individual servings in freezer-safe containers. Allow them to thaw briefly at room temperature or in the refrigerator. It’s great just pulling out one slice for a sweet tooth fix!
I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.
Black Russian Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
cake
- 1 yellow cake mix
- 3.4 oz box of chocolate pudding not instant, cook and serve
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 cup of vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup vodka I used 360 double chocolate vodka
- 1/4 cup Kahlua
- 4 eggs
Filling
- 1/4 cup Kahlua
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Ganache
- 10 oz dark bar chocolate Do not use chocolate chips
- 1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream * make sure it’s not “Ultra-Pasteurized”
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Generously grease tube or bundt pan.
- Combine all of the cake ingredients together, and mix until combined. Pour into the cake pan and bake for 45 minutes.
- Allow pan to cool at least 15 minutes. Run a knife around the perimeter of the pan and turn onto a cooling rack.
- Using a skewer, poke holes into the cake. Mix Kahlua and powdered sugar together until smooth. Pour over the cake.
Ganache
- Chop the chocolate bar into small pieces. I don't use chocolate chips for this because they contain stabilizers to keep their shape during baking. I don't measure the heavy whipping cream, I just pour it over the chocolate until most of the chocolate is covered. Probably close to a cup. Don't choose Ultra-Pasteurized cream because it can contain water that will seize your chocolate. Microwave at 50% power one minute at a time. Stir after each minute until smooth. Add additional cream to thin if necessary, one tablespoon at a time, stirring after each addition.
- Glaze or cover cake with ganache. Allow to set up (or freeze briefly) before any additional decorating.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
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Wow, this cake was so decadent and delicious! Loved the kahlua filling.
Thank you, Emily! We love it too.
One of the easiest and most delicious cakes I’ve ever made! Thank you for the recipe!
Thank you Maryanne!
Beautiful cake-so artistic!
Thank you Nancy! I love to tinker and this was the perfect project for that.
That is one beautiful cake! Almost too pretty to cut into.
Oh my this looks so good! I’ve never made this. I should! I’m pinning it now.
Thank you Alissa. It is so much fun. If you give it a try let me know what you create.
I need to try both the cake and the drink… probably together! The decorations are lovely too!
Thank you Jamie! The cake was fun to make and hey if we are already celebrating, bring on the booze!
I love ganache and I love Kahlua. This cake looks amazing! I wish I were there to watch you decorating it. 🙂
Thank you Ana! We could have fun doing it together! Better hop a plane today. Monday we are down for about 11 inches of snow. 🙂
Wow! Beautiful Julie! You did a wonderful job with the chocolate modeling!! The cake is absolutely gorgeous! 🙂
Thank you Linda! I had so much fun putting this cake together. I made your Jerk pork chops and rice tonight! I loved the flavor but tried baking them instead of cooking them on a grill pan. They were delicious as was the rice, but next time I’ll put them on a grill pan. Enjoy your evening Linda!
I am just in awe of your cake, Julie! Wow!!! I have never seen anything like it. Those chocolate flowers on top are so beautiful. The inside of the cake sounds delicious,too. I am looking forward to your post about how to model chocolate. I have never heard of this technique before. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Thank you Shari. The cake is really moist and delicious. The modeling chocolate instructions come out tomorrow. If you can use a cookie cutter you can make some fun decorations.
wow, wow, wow, that’s a gorgeous cake Julie, nice job! Very boozy too:) Do you think it would work well with a chocolate flavored cake mix?
Thanks Lily! I think a chocolate cake mix would be perfect!
You know I don’t do sweet so I don’t usually comment on cakes but that is the most stunning chocolate work, Julie, wow!!!
Thank you so much Elaine! I love to tinker so really enjoy stuff like this.
Wow, Julie! This cake just leaves me speechless…and drooling.
Thank you Emily! Check out tomorrow to see how to do the modeling chocolate if you don’t already know. It is easy and fun and will make a great activity to share with the kiddos.
That is absolutely beautiful, Julie! I almost had a heart attack when I saw it. That’s how beautiful it is! Can’t wait to learn how to make the chocolate flowers!
Thank you Angie! I had so much fun making this cake. I really wish that I would have known how to make model chocolate years ago. That post goes live tomorrow so get your cookie cutters out. Enjoy your day!
What a beautiful looking cake! Just love the flowers! You do great work!
Thank you Rena! It sure looks a lot harder than what is is, and it was so much fun playing with it.
Yumm this looks fantastic! It is gorgeous Julie! I can’t wait to hear about the next part!! Lovely
Oh Lynz, thank you so much. It will be up tomorrow. Talk about fun and easy!
Really a beautiful and delicious cake and can’t wait to learn more about the chocolate modeling it really is gorgeous.
Suzanne, it was so much fun. That technique will be out on Wednesday. I wish I would have known how to do this wen my kiddos were young. They would have loved it.
I don’t know about a Black Russian cocktail but your cake sure looks good. Best to have only one piece or I could feel my head spinning with all that booze 🙂 Fun to take classes and learn something new…
Thank you Judi! This was an on-line challenge from a gal in India. She did such a great job and I learned so much and had a heck of a lot of fun.
Craftsy has a few online chocolate modeling classes. You can learn to do just about anything you want!
They have some great classes. My problem is that I download them and then don’t get to them. I have three sourdough classes that I need to take on Udemy.
Ummmmm……yes please!!! What an absolutely scrumptious dessert!! And beautiful to look at as well!!
Thank you Amy! It was so much fun to make. The modeling chocolate post will be available on Wednesday. It would be a lot of fun to do with the kiddos too.
Did I just read what you just wrote? Black Russians??? MY OH MY Julie, you are right, we’re absolutely 2 peas in a pod! I absolutely love that drink, it feels so good and warm going down your throat doesn’t it? But I’m not so sure I could handle 2, I don’t think I’ve ever tried. WOW! your cake looks exquisite! Look at all that detailed work, quite something, I was waiting for your post, you gave us a sneak peak didn’t you??? You Temptress! Great job, can’t wait to see the more detailed version of the chocolate modeling. I’ll have a couple slices of that cake now please 🙂
Ha! Loretta, that cake is so easy and moist, and I had so much fun with the modeling chocolate. I sweat it is easy. That post goes Wednesday. The thing I love about the modeling chocolate is that it tastes like chocolate. I don’t think fondant or gum paste is all that good. I love black russians, but boy they are potent! Did you get unburied from the snow? We got a little, but freezing drizzle today. That sure creates havoc.
That’s one showstopper of a cake Julie!! So, so gorgeous! And I can imagine how fantastic it must taste with the Kahlua!!
Thank you Naina! It was really moist and delicious, and the modeling chocolate was so much fun to do. That post comes out on Wednesday. I wish I had known how to do it when my kids were young. They would have loved adding their own little creations. Enjoy your day!
Oh wow, what a decadent looking cake. My husband’s birthday is coming soon. Not sure if I will try this but loving the chocolate grenache. I just have kahlua. Would just kahlua work?
Thank you! It would absolutely work. This cake is so moist, and the kahlua with the chocolate is really good.
Spectacular cake Julie! Does NOT look easy!!! mine would be in a Bundt w maybe a glaze but I’d rather have a slice of yours. My birthday is coming us hint hint!!!
Thank you Johanne! That’s a deal I’d love to make you a birthday cake! I hope everyone bakes you a birthday cake! It isn’t difficult. I’m a tinkerer so really had a lot of fun with this project.
WOW! What a beautifully-decorated cake! And I’ve certainly never turned down anything involving chocolate and kahlua 🙂
Ha! A girl after my own heart. It is easy and fun to make. Have a great day!
Do you never even consider my waistline!!!! 🙂
Thank you Mike! It is a killer!
Oh myyyyyy Julie!!
This is one rich gorgeous sinful and delicious cake! I am eager to see that post with chcolate modeling instruction :).
Beautiful
Thank you Sonal! Modeling chocolate is so much fun and would be a great activity for kids too! That will be posted on Wednesday.