Baking + Illustration: Creating the Perfect Recipe

I was recently baking a cake and decided to bring the recipe to life through illustration. The creative process of capturing each step of the recipe was a fun challenge and highlights how visuals can really add personality.

Illustrating recipes isn't just a passion project for me; it's a creative service I offer to help clients enhance their own brand storytelling. Illustrated recipes make content memorable and eye-catching, perfect for food bloggers, cookbook authors, small business owners, or brands looking to add a creative touch to their websites, social media, and marketing materials.

Thinking about adding illustration to your business? Here are a few reasons why illustrated recipes would be good for you:

• Engagement: Illustrations are eye-catching and unique, drawing in more readers and customers.

• Clarity: Visual steps simplify the cooking process, making recipes easier to follow.

• Brand Personality: Custom illustrations reflect your brand’s voice, style, and charm.

• Shareability: Beautiful illustrations encourage shares on Pinterest, Instagram, and other visual platforms, breaking up the scroll of photos with vibrant illustrations

For example, here's my illustrated version of my favorite chocolate cake recipe. This cake is always a hit—it’s rich, moist, and foolproof. The original recipe comes from Two Peas and Their Pod, one of my favorite food blogs that consistently inspires me in the kitchen. Read on to learn how to make this delicious cake.

How to Make the Best No-Fail Chocolate Bundt Cake

Looking for the an easy, no fail chocolate cake recipe? I’ve got you! This rich chocolate bundt cake is always a crowd-pleaser and has never let me down. It’s the cake I make when I’m short on time, need something that will “wow” people, or just want something decadent. It’s really easy to make and isn’t fussy. The recipe is from Two Peas and Their Pod—one of my all-time favorite food blogs. Every recipe I've tried from her is fantastic, and many have become my go-to dishes.

Ingredients You'll Need:

Cake Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter (plus more to grease the pan)

• 1/3 cup cocoa powder (plus more for pan)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup water

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ganache:

• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate (I use 70%)

• 1 1/2 tablespoons corn syrup or agave syrup

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Bundt Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly butter a 10-12 cup bundt pan, coat it evenly with cocoa powder, and set aside.

2. Combine Butter, Cocoa, Salt, and Water
In a small saucepan, combine butter, cocoa powder, salt, and water over medium heat. Stir continuously until melted and fully combined. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and baking soda.

4. Add Chocolate Mixture
Pour half of the melted butter and cocoa mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing thoroughly—it will be thick, but keep stirring! Add the remaining melted chocolate mixture and whisk until fully incorporated.

5. Add Eggs and Liquid Ingredients
Whisk eggs into the batter one at a time until blended. Add sour cream and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth.

6. Pour Batter and Bake
Pour batter into your prepared bundt pan. Bake for about 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

7. Cool the Cake
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes, then invert onto a rack or plate and cool completely before adding ganache.

8. Prepare Ganache
Chop chocolate and place it into a bowl along with corn syrup or agave syrup. In a small saucepan, heat heavy cream and sugar over medium heat until hot and fully dissolved. Pour hot cream mixture over the chopped chocolate and syrup. Whisk until smooth and creamy.

9. Glaze the Cake
Generously drizzle the ganache over the cooled cake, allowing it to drip beautifully down the sides. Slice and enjoy!

Why You'll Love This Chocolate Bundt Cake:

✔ Rich & Moist: Sour cream ensures the cake stays perfectly moist
✔ Chocolate Ganache: Everything tastes better topped with ganache, right?
✔ Easy to Make: Comes together quickly and stays fresh on the countertop for days

Variations & Substitutions:

• Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream

• Skip ganache and dust with powdered sugar and fresh berries instead

• No bundt pan? No problem! Bake as cupcakes (18–20 min) or in a 9x13 pan (~35 min)

• Substitute coffee for water to enhance the chocolate flavor

Final Thoughts

If you’d like to discuss how illustrated recipes could enhance your business or branding, I'd love to connect!

And yes—definitely give this chocolate bundt cake a try. It’s guaranteed to impress!