Find yourself wondering what is a Bundt cake, anyways? We've got the answer and much more about these highly decorative (but super simple) cakes.
What Is a Bundt Cake? Here’s How It’s Different Than Other Cakes
Updated on Jan. 16, 2023
Craving cake? You’ve got lots of options ranging from a simple sheet cake to dainty cupcakes to towering layer cakes. And if you want fancy without a lot of fuss, you can never go wrong with a Bundt cake. But what is a Bundt cake exactly?
What Is a Bundt Cake?
Bundt cakes are cakes baked in a particular type of cake pan. These pans are ring-shaped and highly decorative. Bundt cakes may take the form of coffee cakes or pound cakes. In general, these cakes are denser than light and airy sponge cakes. This structure helps the cakes bake well in the specially designed pans.
And what about the name? Bundt cake comes from the German word bundkuchen, which roughly translates into “a cake for gatherings.” Since these cakes are large enough to feed a whole crowd and look perfectly pretty for parties, we’d say it’s an apt name!
Types of Bundt Cakes
The term Bundt refers to the pan this cake is baked in rather than the specific flavor of the cake itself. Bundt pans are typically made of aluminum, but you’ll find silicone fluted cake pans out there as well. These pans come in many sizes, too. You can have a standard pan that’ll feed a crowd, mini cake pans that serve two or even teeny tiny Bundts for one.
Which Bundt pan you choose depends largely on the size of cake you want and the design. Let it be known that pans with softer curves are better for beginners; it can be challenging to remove cakes from the more intricate pans.
The joy of these decorative cake pans is that you can bake all sorts of recipes! Try everything from a red velvet pound cake to a blueberry coffee cake to a lemon poppy seed Bundt cake.
How to Make a Bundt Cake
Learning how to make a Bundt cake from scratch is easy. These cakes typically follow the same methods you’d use to make a standard pound cake or birthday cake. The recipe you choose will specify the exact steps, but in general, most Bundt cake recipes follow this outline:
- Cream butter and sugar: A hand mixer or stand mixer is the best tool for the job. And don’t forget to cream butter and sugar for at least five minutes to give your cake the best texture.
- Add eggs: After creaming, add in the eggs (room temperature for best results!).
- Alternate dry and wet ingredients: Next, you’ll add in the dry ingredients and any wet ingredients alternately until just combined. Overmixing will cause your cake to be rubbery. And be sure to scrape down the sides of your bowl!
- Fold in extras: If your cake calls for any mix-ins like nuts, fruit or chocolate, give those extras a quick toss in flour; this will help evenly distribute them in the batter and prevent them all from sinking. Then fold in until combined.
- Bake: Bundt pans are large and hold a lot of cake batter. Most Bundt cakes take 45 minutes or more to bake. You can test if your cake is done with a toothpick or long skewer.
Again, the specific steps may vary slightly from recipe to recipe, but know that making Bundt cakes from scratch is super easy. And if you want something even simpler, many Bundt recipes start with a box of cake mix like these: pistachio cake, easy lemon tube cake, chocolate Bundt cake and even this margarita pound cake.
And if you have any questions while you stir up your recipes, check out our Test Kitchen’s best Bundt cake tips. Our pros know these cakes inside and out.
The Best Bundt Cake Recipes
When it comes to these pans, there are so many delicious Bundt cake recipes out there to fill them. You’ll find that many pound cakes and coffee cakes can be made in your favorite decorative fluted pan.
If none of these recipes quite fit the bill, you can bake many regular cake recipes in a Bundt pan. Our Test Kitchen’s best advice is to steer clear of angel food cakes and chiffon cakes, otherwise, you should be good to go with the proper adjustments.
Don’t forget to check out our fruit Bundt cake recipe collection.
How to Get a Cake Out of a Bundt Pan
The trickiest part of making a Bundt cake is getting the cake out of the pan in one piece. The best way to ensure your dessert comes out looking as pretty as your pan’s design is to learn how to grease a Bundt pan.
To grease the pan well, coat the inside with a layer of shortening. You can wipe it on with a clean dishcloth or paper towel. If you like, you can also melt the shortening and brush it on the inside of the pan with a pastry brush. Once you have all the nooks and crannies greased, dust the interior with flour, then tap out any excess. Your pan is then ready to fill.
When the cake is fully baked, remove it from the oven and place on a wire rack. Don’t flip it yet! Let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Then you can invert it.
Peek under the pan and see if the cake has loosened. If it hasn’t, don’t worry. You’ll just have to learn how to get a cake out of a Bundt pan with a few tricks from our Test Kitchen. Start by laying a clean kitchen towel on the counter and tapping the pan on top. A few firm taps on each side can help dislodge any bits of batter that might be keeping the cake from budging.
If this doesn’t work, be patient! Leave the pan inverted and revisit in another 10 minutes. As the cake cools, it will contract and likely come free from the pan on its own.
Bundt Cake Decorations
What makes Bundt pans so special is that the cakes they create don’t need a lot of extras. Bundt pans come in so many lovely designs that you really don’t need to fuss with much more than a sprinkling of confectioners’ sugar on top.
However, if you want to go above and beyond, you can frost a Bundt cake. You can finish any cake baked in a decorative pan with a simple glaze. You can also frost the top with your favorite buttercream or even pipe a simple design a la Nothing Bundt Cakes.
If frosting isn’t your style but you still want a little something extra, try finishing your cake with slices of fresh fruit, edible flowers or even sugared cranberries. These all add some stunning seasonal flair.
Get Baking with These Bundt Cake Recipes
Nothing Bundt Cake CopycatFollow this Nothing Bundt Cake copycat to make the bakery's iconic "chocolate chocolate chip" cake. The steps are simple and the result is delectable!
Sock It to Me CakeThe boldly-named Sock It to Me Cake is a sour cream pound cake with pecans swirled through. It's topped with a creamy glaze and toasted pecans that make it as enticing to the eyes as it is to the appetite.
Blueberries and Cream Coffee CakeThis blueberry coffee cake is my go-to recipe for all of our holiday get-togethers because it's perfect for breakfast or dessert. It's easy to make, and it's the most delicious coffee cake I've ever had. —Susan Ober, Franconia, New Hampshire.
Find out how to use raspberries, bananas, cranberries, and more to bake fruit Bundt cakes.
Margarita CakeThis margarita cake is perfect for a picnic on a warm day. You'll be surprised at how closely it tastes like the real thing. These other margarita dessert recipes are delicious, too. ?—Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Banana Pound CakeThis banana pound cake has mashed bananas mixed into the batter for a treat that's moist, wonderful and tasty. The confectioners' sugar glaze drizzled over the top makes it even more special.
Mini Blueberry Bundt CakesThese pretty berry cakes from Cathy Isaak of Rivers, Manitoba are topped with a yummy lemon-flavored glaze.
Pineapple Upside-Down Bundt CakeThis upside-down pineapple Bundt cake, which is a variation on the classic confection, couldn't be easier because it starts with a cake mix. —Pat Remour, East Moline, Illinois
Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf RecipeSatisfy your coffee shop treat cravings with this copycat Starbucks lemon loaf cake recipe.
Olive Oil CakeA good olive oil cake isn't overly sweet, so it can just as easily be a breakfast treat or an afternoon snack as a dessert. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Grandma’s Carrot CakeMy grandma was very special to me. She had a big country kitchen that was full of wonderful aromas any time we visited. This was one of her prized cake recipes, and it continues to be a favorite from generation to generation. —Denise Strasz, Detroit, Michigan
Raspberry CakeIndulge in this easy-to-make raspberry cake bursting with fresh raspberry flavor and topped with a luscious whipped raspberry frosting.
Mom's Citrus Buttermilk CakeEveryone raves over this lovely lemon cake. It's divine with fresh raspberries and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Lemon Poppy Seed CakeThis luscious, lemony poppy seed cake recipe from Betty Bjarnason is one of many collected by Brenda Wood of Egbert, Ontario for a reunion cookbook.
Pina Colada Tube CakeWe named this a “pina colada” cake because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
Peanut Butter Bundt CakeThis peanut butter Bundt cake with frosting is heavenly to me. I use smooth peanut butter, but crunchy would work, too. —Karen Holt, Rock Hill, South Carolina
Down South Sweet Tea CakeI think this recipe combines two of the best and most famous ingredients from the South: sweet tea and pecans! Using a cake mix simplifies prep and helps ease the holiday time crunch. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
Brown Sugar Pound CakeThis tender pound cake is the first one I mastered. You'll want to eat the browned butter icing by the spoonful. It tastes like pralines. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida
Raspberry Coffee CakeMake this raspberry coffee cake with tangy raspberry filling and crunchy topping, and it will quickly become a favorite with your family and dinner guests.
Coconut Fudge Cake“A big piece of this moist cake is a chocolate and coconut devotee's dream," notes Johnnie. "You should see my husband, children and grandkids smile when I serve it.”
Jelly Donut CakeCake. Doughnuts. Now you don't have to choose between the two. Impress your family with this easy jelly-filled cake. Try your best to center the jelly in the middle of the half-filled Bundt pan so that it will not leak out the edges of the cake. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Chocolate Comfort CakeThis moist and delicious chocolate cake is usually the first dessert to go. People even eat the crumbs. It’s always my top choice for holiday dinners. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Caribbean Coconut Rum CakeMy take on those boozy treats that weigh down suitcases returning from Jamaica, this moist cake packs a rum punch. You may wish to card your guests before serving. The longer the rum soaks in, the better—overnight is best. —Jenn Hall, Collingswood, New Jersey
Sour Cream Pound CakeA classic sour cream pound cake should be your go-to choice for brunch, snacking, special occasions and more.
Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee CakeHoliday breakfasts would not be the same at our house without this delicious coffee cake. Whenever I take it anywhere, everyone raves about it and wants the recipe. —Susan Walschlager, Anderson, Indiana
Lemon Rhubarb Tube CakeFor a taste of summer, try this dessert. The cake's fresh lemon flavor and tart rhubarb topping are so refreshing. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Fluted Lemon Cake with Fresh FruitThis citrusy, golden-brown cake looks especially beautiful baked in a fancy fluted pan. Serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh fruit. —Donna Pochoday, Morristown, New Jersey
Rainbow Cake with CloudsSome cakes stand on their own without icing. For this bright Rainbow Cake, use a little whipped cream to make fluffy clouds. —Janet Tigchelaar, Jerseyville, Ontario
Coconut Pound CakeTropical flavor shines in this sweet and simple coconut pound cake recipe. Baking it in a fluted pan gives it a sophisticated look, but once the butter and cream cheese for the batter are softened it's a cake you can have in the oven in only about 20 minutes.
Pistachio Bundt CakePistachio Bundt cake is a light, vibrant and delicious treat that's as pretty as it is tasty. Garnish it with decadent toppings like chopped pistachios for an elegant dessert that doesn't take much effort.
Surprise Carrot CakeA cousin gave me this carrot cake recipe. It's a wonderful potluck pleaser with its "surprise" cream cheese center. My husband and our two young children love it, too! —Lisa Bowen, Little Britian, Ontario
Contest-Winning Moist Chocolate CakeYou don't have to spend a lot of time to serve an elegant and delicious dessert. Just mix up the batter in one bowl, bake and get ready for people to love this moist dark chocolate cake recipe. —Christa Hageman, Telford, Pennsylvania
