Preparing the Cake

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. While the oven heats, spray a Bundt pan generously with nonstick cooking spray. This will ensure that your cake releases smoothly once it’s baked. Make sure to coat all the nooks and crannies of the Bundt pan. Set the pan aside.
2. Mix the Cake Batter: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, milk, melted butter, and eggs. You can use a hand-held mixer or stir the ingredients by hand until everything is well incorporated. The mixture should be smooth with no dry spots from the cake mix. The addition of milk and butter will make the batter extra moist, while the eggs provide structure and stability.
3. Fill the Bundt Pan: Once the batter is mixed, pour it into the prepared Bundt pan. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly, making sure the batter reaches all the sides. The batter will be slightly thick, but that’s okay—the Bundt pan will allow it to rise beautifully as it bakes.
4. Bake the Cake: Place the Bundt pan into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with only a few crumbs. Keep an eye on the cake during the last few minutes of baking to prevent it from overcooking. After baking, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
5. Invert the Cake: After the initial cooling time, gently invert the Bundt pan onto a cake plate. You may need to tap the sides of the pan lightly to help the cake release. Once it has come out, allow it to cool completely before frosting.

Making the Chocolate Pecan Frosting

1. Melt the Butter and Cocoa: In a small saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa powder, and milk over medium heat. Stir the mixture constantly until the butter is completely melted, and the cocoa is fully dissolved into the milk. This creates the base for your chocolate frosting.
2. Add Powdered Sugar: Remove the saucepan from the heat once the butter and cocoa have melted. Slowly whisk in the powdered sugar, making sure to incorporate it fully to create a smooth, glossy frosting. Continue whisking until the frosting is thick and creamy.
3. Add the Pecans: Stir in the chopped pecans. The nuts will add a delightful crunch to the frosting and complement the chocolate flavor of the cake. Make sure the pecans are evenly distributed throughout the frosting.

Assembling the Cake

1. Frost the Cake: Once the Bundt cake has cooled completely, pour the warm chocolate pecan frosting over the top of the cake. Allow the frosting to flow down the sides of the cake, creating a beautiful, glossy finish. If the frosting is too thick, you can use a spatula to gently spread it over the cake.
2. Let the Frosting Set: Allow the frosting to set for a few minutes. As it cools, the frosting will firm up slightly, creating a luscious, fudgy layer on top of the cake.
3. Serve and Enjoy: Once the frosting has set, slice the cake and serve. You can enjoy this cake as is or pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence.