There’s a wide range of cake types out there, ranging in style, flavor, texture, and level of difficulty.
However, if you want to whip up a tender and fluffy homemade cake, the Bundt cake is one you can count on!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through a simple yet foolproof recipe along with all the Bundt cake ingredients and possible toppings you can try to mix up the flavor. So without further ado, let’s jump right in!
What are the Main Ingredients of a Bundt Cake?
Technically speaking, any cake that you bake in a Bundt pan is considered a bundt cake, so it’s more about the shape of the cake than its recipe.
The Bundt pan doesn’t only give the cake a decorative touch, but it also helps the cake to rise evenly, which makes it softer and juicer than regular cakes.
Essential Ingredients
While you can use the Bundt pan to create various cake recipes, the following are the ingredients of the classic vanilla recipe.
The ingredients are enough for a standard-sized Bundt cake recipe, which has 10 to 12 servings, so you should adjust the amounts according to your batch size or the number of cakes you want to make.
4 Eggs
Eggs are critical for Bundt cakes because they play various essential roles. They bind ingredients while doubling as a leavening (lifting) agent.
Additionally, they add to the overall flavor, aroma, and texture of the cake. Make sure that the eggs are large and at room temperature when you start mixing the ingredients.
1 1/2 Cups Unsalted Butter
Butter is essential for the tenderness and richness of Bundt cake. You can use any type of butter as long as it’s unsalted.
Before you start combining the ingredients, you need to soften the butter. You can easily do this by putting the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and blasting it on defrost (medium-low) mode for 15 to 20 seconds.
1 1/2 Cups Granulated Sugar
Although the primary job of sugar is to sweeten the cake, coarse sugar granules also help in holding the moisture by creating bonds with water molecules inside the cake, which results in a moister cake.
If you like your dessert extra sweet, you can increase the sugar to around 2 cups or use alternative sweetening agents. In that case, you’ll need to check the label for the proper substitution ratio.
3 Cups All-Purpose Flour
Flour is the main base of any baked item and provides structure and volume to the cake.
All-purpose flour has more protein than cake flour while keeping the cake light and soft. Yet, you can use cake flour as a substitute without adjusting the quantity.
If you prefer crumbly and tender textures, you may also add 4 tablespoons of cornstarch (optional).
2 1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
A classic Bundt cake must be soft on the inside, which is why a leavening agent like baking powder is essential for the recipe.
If you don’t have baking powder, you can use baking soda. However, since it’s relatively stronger, you’ll need to substitute every teaspoon of baking powder with 1/3 teaspoon of baking soda.
1 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is a primary flavoring agent in classic Bundt cake recipes. However, since this recipe uses so many eggs, the vanilla extract will also help in masking their odor and distinct flavor after baking.
1 Cup Whole Milk
Milk makes it much easier to mix the wet and dry ingredients of the cake together. It also helps in the chemical reactions while baking the cake, which helps in creating the golden brown crust while keeping it relatively soft.
1 teaspoon Salt
Salt balances the sweetness of the cake and adds a special depth and complexity to the flavor of the cake.
1/3 teaspoon Almond Extracts
Technically, adding almond extract to Bundt is optional. However, it adds a highly distinguishable and unique flavor, which is characteristic of the classic vanilla recipe.
If you’re allergic to almonds or don’t like their flavor, you can add more vanilla extract or use other flavoring agents like cinnamon powder (1:1 ratio)
Recipe Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F
- Meanwhile, coat a standard-size (10 or 12-cup) Bundt pan with butter or cooking spray.
- Pass the dry ingredients through a sifter and into another bowl, then mix them carefully until they’re homogenous
- Add half the milk to the mixture and beat the mixture until it’s fully combined.
- Beat the melted butter with the sugar in another large bowl until the mixture becomes soft and fluffy
- Crack and add the eggs one by one while mixing the wet ingredients thoroughly
- Once the ingredients are fully combined, add the content of the bowl gradually and beat them carefully while adding the rest of the milk and remaining ingredients.
- Add the cake batter to the butter-coated Bundt pan slowly, and bake it in the oven for 45 to 60 minutes. Check on the cake periodically and use the toothpick test to make sure that it’s fully cooked on the inside.
- Once ready, take it out of the oven and allow it to cool down, and let it rest for 10 minutes
Can You Frost a Bundt Cake?
Icing/frosting a Bundt cake is one of the best ways to improve both its aesthetics and flavor. To make a classic Bundt Cake frosting, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter
- 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 5 tablespoons whole milk
- Pinch of salt
To create the frosting, beat all the ingredients (except milk) in a large bowl with a hand mixer until fully combined, then add the whole milk gradually until you reach the desired consistency.
What Are Some Common Bundt Cake Mix-ins and Toppings?
Now that you know more about the main ingredients of a Bundt cake, here’s a quick look at some of the best mix-in and topping ideas to completely change the cake’s flavor!
Chopped Nuts
Chopped nuts are a great addition to Bundt cake because they can be mix-ins, toppings, or sprinkled over the glazing.
The nutty flavor compliments the mild flavor of Bundt and adds an enjoyable crunch factor.
Chocolate
Whether you’re a fan of dark, milk, or white chocolate, melting some chocolate ganache over your Bundt cake will instantly improve its aesthetics and give it a professional finish!
Fruit Jam
If you like fruity flavor, you should consider adding fruit jams such as raspberry or strawberry as a mix-in while spreading the cake batter in the Bundt pan.
Vanilla Custard
Vanilla custard is another mix-in that adds moisture to the Bundt cake and makes it more velvety and luscious.
Luckily, you can buy vanilla custard mix to prepare a batch in a few minutes by adding some milk.
Coffee Buttercream
Buttercream frosting is one of the classic Bundt cake topping choices. However, if you’re a coffee lover, you should try this frosting instead.
This is similar to the previously mentioned buttercream frosting recipe, but you’ll also add 1 to 2 tablespoons of instant coffee powder while mixing.
Cinnamon Sugar
Cinnamon sugar is a great way to add a unique flavor to the Bundt cake, and you can also use it as a topping by dusting it over the cake.
To create cinnamon sugar, add 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon to every 1 cup of granulated sugar, and mix thoroughly.
Lemon Glaze
Topping your cake with lemon glaze provides some refreshing zestiness to the cake’s flavor profile.
You can create this one by whisking 1/4 cup of lemon juice, some lemon zest, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of melted unsalted butter until fully combined.
Final Thoughts
This wraps it up for today’s guide that walks you through Bundt cake ingredients and classic recipes.
As you can see, you can use a variety of simple add-ons and mix-ins to change the cake’s flavor and improve its aesthetics and texture. You can also combine some of the ideas to make something completely unique!
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.