The fruity port gives this cake a flavor that you can't quite put your finger on but you know it's good.
Table of Contents
There's just nothing quite as rich and dense as a chocolate buttermilk pound cake!
It's easy to make and the buttermilk gives it a tender crumb.
I like pound cakes. They are one of those non-fussy foods that don't require a lot but give you a lot for the time you put in them.
You don't have to spend time frosting them, either. Just pour on the glaze and they're done. Who doesn't love that?
The cake is studded with chocolate chips so you get random bursts of chocolate as you eat it.
There are two glazes -- one is ganache and the other is a port wine glaze.
I added chocolate sprinkles to the top but sugared red grapes or holiday sprinkles would be great, too. Seriously, you need to make this one!
This chocolate buttermilk pound cake recipe made 6 mini bundt cakes and one smallish bundt cake. I think if you made all mini bundt cakes it would make about 18 or one really big bundt. If you leave the glaze off it will freeze beautifully for up to three months.
📖 Recipe
Port Wine Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake
Print Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup dark cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter at, , room temperature
- 3 cups sugar
- 5 eggs, , room temperature
- ½ cup tawny port wine
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- baking release spray or butter & additional flour, , for greasing the pan
Chocolate Glaze
- ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup, (keeps it shiny)
Buttermilk - Port Wine Glaze
- 1-¼ cups Confectioner's sugar, (you may need more or less)
- 1 tablespoon buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons port wine
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat oven to 325F.
- Prepare the bundt pan with the baking release spray or butter and flour.
- Mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and baking soda in a bow.
- Set aside.
- Beat the butter on medium speed until it is light and fluffy.
- Slowly add the sugar, beating constantly.
- When the sugar is all in and the mixture is no longer grainy add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.
- Combine the wine, the buttermilk, and the vanilla.
- Beginning and ending with the flour, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk beating on low speed until the ingredients are incorporated before adding the next batch.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into a large bundt pan or 18-24 mini bundt pans or 6 mini bundt pan plus a small bundt pan.
- Bake at 325° for 40 minutes for the mini bundts, 60 to 75-85 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool in pan on a wire rack 20 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on rack.
Chocolate Glaze
- Combine semisweet chocolate chips, butter, cream, and corn syrup in a microwave-safe glass bowl.
- Microwave 1 minute or until chocolate chips begin to melt.
- Stir until smooth.
- Drizzle over the cooled cake.
Buttermilk Glaze
- Add the buttermilk, port wine, and lemon juice to the Confectioner's sugar.
- Stir until thick and smooth.
- Drizzle over cake.
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
Kimberly Smith says
Hello, this is my fist time posting a comment. I'm sorry if I'm doing it wrong. I love your Website. I make a lot of the recipes you post. I only wanted to ask a question. I wanted to know if this cake could be cooked in a loaf pan?
Thank you so much
Kimberly Smith
Marye says
Hi Kimberly - thank you for posting your comment! Yes, this can be baked in a loaf pan - about an hour. I'd check it at 45 minutes just to make sure it wasn't going to overbake. You did it exactly right.
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
This for dessert! Nothing shy of perfection!
Marye Audet says
Thank you Katie!
Marye Audet says
It's so good!
Marye Audet says
It is very chocolatey!
Susan | LunaCafe says
Love this flavor pairing. Can't wait to make this.
Jennifer Stewart says
Did you say wine and cake together? I'm totally in! I haven't had port in a long time but I am willing to take one for the team on this recipe:)
Marye Audet says
LOL! I love port way too much!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
Love the idea of adding the port with the chocolate! Such an elegant little cake!
Marye Audet says
Thank you so much!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Oh my goodness, Marye. I love the idea of port wine in a decadent chocolate pound cake. Amazing is right!
Marye Audet says
🙂 I really like this recipe. 🙂
Jill Silverman Hough says
Chocolate, buttermilk, and port sounds like an amazing combination! Why tawny port, though, Marye? I'd think ruby would go better with chocolate.On the other hand--any port in a storm!
Marye Audet says
Ha! Because it's what I had. I don't like to list ingredients that I haven't tried but I am SURE ruby would be awesome, too. The particular port I used had a definite raising/fig flavor that really mellowed in the chocolate. It was a Texas port, though.
Lee Ann Roberts says
Yum! That looks fabulous.
How easy are those extra-swirly Bundt pans to clean for those of us who wash dishes by hand?
Marye Audet says
The nordic ware ones that I have clean up beautifully. They are heavy and no stick and I am careful to spray them with baking release spray. 🙂