I believe a cake exists for the main purpose of being used as a vessel to get the yummy buttercream frosting into my mouth. I really love square cakes because there’s four corners and if I’m lucky enough I’ll get one of the corners which means MORE FROSTING! But this Black Russian Cake is an exception to my rule. I LOVE this cake. Even if it doesn’t have my beloved frosting on top!
I’ve been making this cake for years, especially for parties, because it’s always a hit. I have no idea where I first got the recipe, but a quick search on the internet proves its been around for a long time. It starts with a yellow cake mix (see if you can find one without pudding in the mix), a box of chocolate instant pudding, the requisite oil and eggs, etc. What makes it a Black Russian Cake is the addition of vodka and Kahlua to the batter.
If you want a really, really great dessert, make this Black Russian Cake… like, NOW! Everyone will love it, I promise!
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- 1 box yellow cake mix (w/o pudding if you can find it)*
- 6 oz. box instant chocolate pudding
- ⅓ C. sugar
- 1 C. vegetable oil
- 4 eggs
- ¾ C. water
- ¼ C. vodka
- ¼ C. Kahula
- ½ C. powdered sugar
- ¼ C. Kahula
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a bundt pan with Pam or your preferred method of greasing a cake pan. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix with hand mixer for about 2 - 3 minutes on medium speed. Pour batter in prepared bundt pan. Bake 45 minutes. Let cool about 10-15 then invert on serving platter. Drizzle glaze on top of warm cake. Then, if you're like me, you'll drizzle more glaze on top again when it has cooled completely.
- Blend together powdered sugar and Kahula to make a glaze. Pour over warm cake. When cake is cooled you can garnish with berries and sprinkle powdered sugar on top if you want to make it look pretty...or just dig in and enjoy!
I had 2nds and perhaps 3rds of this…it was DELICIOUS! A little different then my recipe.
never heard of a black russian cake before.. definitely a recipe i need to try!
Thalia, from your blog you look to be a much better baker than I am…please let me know if you ever come up with a homemade version, one that doesn’t use a cake mix.
Made this recipe Saturday night. It was very moist. I was told to keep this recipe and make it again! Thank you.
Happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Judy, this sounds delicious! Could I use a vanilla or white chocolate color pudding instead? I want to add orange food coloring and wasn’t sure if the alcohol would affect that. Let me know your thoughts!
Try it! I’m not sure how different it would taste but either way I’m sure it would be delicious… I don’t think there’s enough of the Kahlua to discolor it much. Let me know how it turns out 🙂
I’ve made this cake a million times over many many years. Always a winner!!! Alway moist and believe it or not light.
It’s such a delicious cake! I’ve never heard of anyone who didn’t like it!!!
I’m so glad I found this recipe for Black Russian Cake. I made this years ago and lost it. My youngest son has asked me every year to make it for his birthday. This Friday is his 25th birthday and he will get his cake!
It’s a favorite of everyone I’ve ever served it to! Happy Birthday to you son!
Can I use melted butter instead of oil? I remembered using butter as well for the glaze. Thanks
Yes you can use melted butter instead of oil. A quick internet search says to use a bit more butter than called for with the oil.
How do you compensate for the smaller box of cake mix?
I didn’t even notice there was a smaller amount in the box! Perhaps that’s why it does’t rise as high as it use to! I did a little searching around the internet and seems like common advice was to add an additional 1/3 cup flour. However, I didn’t do that when I made this cake so I don’t know how it works. I will definitely pay attention next time I make this and try adding more flour. In the meantime, if you make it with additional flour, please comment back and let us know how it turns out. And, thanks for bringing that to my attention!
I actually add 1/3 cup of the same cake mix. Yes this means buying another box however, I call it my 1/3rd box. I only use it for everytime I bake a cake.
That’s a fantastic solution!!!
Wonderful idea! Going to try this recipe for my husband’s birthday! Sounds like a winner!!