The holiday season calls for delicious treats, and this easy Christmas Bundt Cake recipe delivers festive cheer with minimal effort. This cake is perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, and celebrations, offering a stunning presentation without complex techniques. You can achieve a simple from-scratch taste, making it a beautiful and impressive centerpiece for your holiday table.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Bundt Cake
- Effortlessly Festive: This cake provides a visually stunning dessert with its unique shape and vibrant sprinkles, requiring minimal decorating skill.
- Simple from-Scratch: Enjoy the superior taste of a homemade cake made from basic ingredients, far better than any mix.
- Moist & Tender: Follow our simple steps for a consistently perfect texture, ensuring a moist and delightful slice every time.
- Customizable Decor: Personalize your holiday Bundt cake with your favorite festive sprinkles, adapting it to any holiday theme.
- Crowd-P\leasing: This delightful Christmas Bundt Cake serves many and is guaranteed to be a hit, becoming a beloved holiday centerpiece.
Festive Christmas Bundt Cake: A Delicious Holiday Tradition
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan thoroughly, ensuring all crevices are coated to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed.
- Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir gently until combined. Pour in the milk and stir until incorporated. Add remaining dry ingredients and sprinkles, folding just until smooth. Avoid overmixing.
- Pour batter evenly into the prepared Bundt pan and gently tap to remove air bubbles. Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before icing.
- To make the icing, whisk together powdered sugar, water, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake and top with extra sprinkles for a festive finish.
Notes
Ingredients
Gather your ingredients for this beautiful Christmas Bundt Cake. Make sure to have everything ready before you begin baking for a smooth process.
For the Cake:
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1.5 cups granulated white sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups cake flour + 2 Tablespoons (OR 3 cups all purpose white flour + 2 TB cornstarch whisked together)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk (2% recommended)
- ¼ cup sprinkles (jimmies or quins work best)
For the Icing:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Notes & Substitutions
Achieve the best results by using room temperature eggs and milk; they blend more smoothly into the batter. As highlighted by Sally’s Baking Addiction, room temperature ingredients play a crucial role in achieving the desired texture and lift in baked goods. For accurate measurement, always spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge. If you don’t have cake flour, you can easily substitute it by whisking all-purpose flour with cornstarch. Choose non-bleeding sprinkles like jimmies or quins to maintain vibrant colors throughout the cake. For a pure white icing, opt for clear vanilla extract. You can likely use almond milk as a dairy-free alternative, though it has not been specifically tested for this recipe.
Equipment
Having the right tools makes baking this Christmas Bundt Cake a breeze. You likely have most of these items in your kitchen already.
- Two large mixing bowls provide ample space for combining wet and dry ingredients.
- A whisk helps thoroughly combine ingredients and incorporate air.
- Silicone spatulas are essential for scraping bowls and gently folding batter.
- A 10-inch Bundt pan is crucial for achieving the cake’s signature shape.
- A cooling rack allows air to circulate, ensuring your cake cools properly without getting soggy.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your perfect Christmas Bundt Cake. Remember, baking should be fun and easy, especially during the holidays!
- Prepare Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan with non-stick spray, ensuring every crevice is coated. This crucial step prevents sticking.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, large eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth. Set this aside.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the measured cake flour (or your all-purpose flour and cornstarch mixture), baking powder, and salt. Make sure these are thoroughly mixed.
- Add First Half of Dry: Gradually add about half of the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently with a silicone spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing at this stage.
- Stir in Milk: Pour in the cup of milk and continue to stir until it is fully incorporated into the batter. The mixture will start to become smoother.
- Add Remaining Dry & Sprinkles: Now, add the remaining dry ingredients and the festive Christmas sprinkles to the batter. Stir gently until everything is just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake, so stop as soon as you see no dry streaks.
- Fill the Pan: Carefully pour the prepared Christmas Bundt Cake batter evenly into your generously greased and floured Bundt pan. Gently tap the pan on the counter a few times to release any large air bubbles.
- Bake the Cake: Place the Bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a wooden toothpick or skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Initial Cooling: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven. Let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes. This allows the cake to firm up slightly before you attempt to remove it.
- Invert and Cool Completely: After the initial cooling, carefully invert the Bundt cake onto the cooling rack. Allow the cake to cool completely before applying any icing. This step is essential to prevent the icing from melting.
- Prepare the Icing: While the cake cools, make the simple icing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons of water (start with 1 and add more if needed for desired consistency), and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Ice and Decorate: Once the cake is fully cooled, drizzle the prepared icing generously over the top. For an extra festive touch, decorate with additional Christmas sprinkles if desired. Your homemade Christmas Bundt Cake is now ready to impress!
Pro Tips for a Perfect Christmas Bundt Cake
Achieving a perfect holiday Bundt cake is simple with these expert tips.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use room temperature eggs and milk. They create a smoother, more emulsified batter, resulting in a lighter cake.
- Accurate Flour Measuring: Spoon your flour into the measuring cup, then level it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly can compact the flour, leading to a dry or dense cake.
- Proper Pan Greasing: Grease your Bundt pan thoroughly with non-stick baking spray or shortening and then dust with flour. Avoid butter, as it can stick and cause the cake to tear when removed.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter only until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten, making your cake tough and less tender.
- Cool Before Flipping: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before inverting it onto a cooling rack. This brief cooling period helps the cake set and prevents it from breaking.
- Cool Completely Before Icing: Patience is key here! Ensure the cake is entirely cool to the touch before drizzling on the icing. Icing a warm cake will cause the glaze to melt and run off, creating a messy finish.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
This versatile Christmas bundt cake is as delightful to customize as it is to eat.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve individual slices alongside a festive hot coffee or tea for a cozy treat.
- Pair a slice with warm hot cocoa and a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
- Offer it with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a generous swirl of fresh whipped cream for a richer dessert experience.
Storage Instructions
- Store your cooled and iced Christmas Bundt Cake covered tightly at room temperature. A cake dome works wonderfully.
- Enjoy its fresh taste and tender texture within 5 days for the best quality.
- For longer storage, wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature.
Variations
- Flavor Boosts: Elevate the cake’s flavor by adding the zest of an orange or lemon to the batter.
- Glaze Options: Experiment with different glazes; a cream cheese glaze adds richness, while a lemon glaze offers a zesty tang.
- Chocolatey Twist: Fold in a handful of mini chocolate chips into the batter for a delightful chocolate surprise.
- Extract Swap: Change the flavor profile by swapping vanilla extract for almond extract for a nutty note or a splash of rum extract for a festive kick.
Nutrition Information
This nutrition information is an estimate per serving of the Christmas Bundt Cake and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 slice |
| Calories | 512 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 76g |
| Protein | 6g |
| Fat | 21g |
| Saturated Fat | 16g |
| Cholesterol | 64mg |
| Sodium | 228mg |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 52g |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What do you use to grease a Bundt pan?
Use a non-stick baking spray with flour or shortening and then dust with flour. Avoid butter as it can cause sticking.
Do you flip a Bundt cake right away?
No, let the cake cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes first. This allows it to firm up before inver ting.
How many does a Bundt cake serve?
A standard 10-inch Bundt cake typically yields 12-16 servings, making it perfect for gatherings.
Can I make this recipe with almond milk?
While not specifically tested for this recipe, almond milk should generally be a suitable dairy-free substitute. Use unsweetened almond milk for best results.
Why might my Bundt cake be dense or dry?
Common causes include over-measuring flour, using expired baking powder, or overmixing the batter, which develops too much gluten
Conclusion
This simple yet stunning Christmas Bundt Cake recipe is your ticket to festive baking success this holiday season. Its beautiful presentation, moist texture, and delightful flavor make it an instant holiday classic. Enjoy making this cake and create a memorable holiday dessert tradition for your family and friends to cherish.
