A well-risen bundt cake has an intricate shape—one of the defining features of a bundt cake. But making a bundt cake rise to perfection is a challenge, and sometimes we ask ourselves this question: Why did my bundt cake overflow?
Your bundt cake overflowed because of using too much or expired leavening agents, undermixing or overmixing the batter, or adding too many eggs. You also might have baked your bundt cake at a temperature too high, or your pan wasn’t properly greased or floured.
In this article, we’ll discuss why bundt cakes overflow and provide tips to help you bake a well-risen, delicious bundt cake.
What Causes a Bundt Cake to Rise Too Much?
You would want your bundt cake to rise but not too much. If your bundt cake rose more than desired and overflowed, the reason must be one or a combination of the things listed below.
1 – Too Much Leavening
When heated, leavening agents such as baking powder, baking soda, and yeast release gasses such as carbon dioxide, creating bubbles that make a bundt cake rise. Using too much can cause the bubbles to expand excessively, resulting in a cake that rises too much.
2 – Expired Leavening Agents
If the baking powder or baking soda is old or expired, it can cause the bundt cake to rise too much.
3 – Undermixing the Batter
If the batter isn’t mixed well enough, the leavening agents might not be evenly distributed, causing your bundt cake to rise unevenly and overflow.
4 – Overmixing the Batter
If you overmix the batter, you can introduce excessive air into the mixture. The trapped air expands during baking, causing the bundt cake to rise more than needed.
5 – Too Many Eggs
Eggs not only make your bundt cake more delicious, they also help in making your bundt cake rise. But adding too many can make your bundt cake rise too much and overflow.
6 – Oven Temperature Is Too High
Baking a bundt cake at a higher than recommended temperature can cause rapid gas expansion, resulting in excessive rising.
7 – Opening the Oven Door Too Often
Doing so disrupts the oven’s thermal function, causing temperature fluctuation. This can disturb the leavening process, resulting in a bundt cake that rises too quickly and overflows.
8 – The Pan Is Too Tiny
Using a pan that’s too tiny for the amount of batter can cause the cake to overflow. Following the recipe instructions carefully and using the correct pan size recommended is essential.
9 – Poor Pan Preparation
Bundt pans have intricate designs, making it difficult for the cake batter to spread evenly.
This can cause the batter to get trapped in the pan’s crevices, resulting in uneven baking and overflow.
How To Bake a Bundt Cake Without Overflowing
Keep the following tips in mind to stop your bundt cake from overflowing again.
Use the Correct Amount of Leavening
Follow the recipe carefully and measure the leavening ingredients accurately. It’s a good idea to use fresh leavening.
Mix the Batter Properly
Mix the batter thoroughly to ensure all the ingredients are incorporated evenly. Over-mixing or under-mixing the batter can affect how it rises.
Add the Correct Number of Eggs
Always use the recipe as a guide for the number of eggs required (unless you’re using an egg alternative). Egg size can vary, so if the recipe specifies medium eggs and you only have large eggs, you must use fewer eggs.
Monitor the Oven Temperature
Ensure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature and stays consistent throughout the baking process. You might want an oven thermometer to get a more accurate reading.
Use the Correct Pan Size
Using the correct size of pan recommended in the recipe is essential. Fill the pan about two-thirds full to allow the bundt cake to rise.
Prepare the Pan Properly
Use a non-stick bundt pan, grease it thoroughly with baking spray or butter using a pastry brush, and then dust it with flour. Ensure to get into all the nooks and crannies so the bundt cake can release quickly.
The Beauty of a Well-Risen Bundt Cake
If your bundt cake rises well and doesn’t overflow, it has an attractive shape that makes bundt cakes stand out from other cakes. The beauty of a well-risen bundt cake is more than aesthetics.
- It looks good, teasing anybody’s sense of sight.
- It has a light, smooth texture and a tender, moist crumb.
- It has a good balance of flavors; each bite has a consistent taste.
- Adding frosting, glaze, or any other topping is easy.
- It’s easy to slice and serve.
Final Thoughts
A well-risen bundt cake not only looks good, it also offers many advantages. Its tall, impressive appearance stimulates our eyes, and its taste makes our taste buds dance with joy.
When a bundt cake rises too much and overflows, it could be due to the amount or quality of the baking powder, the way the batter is mixed, or the number of eggs used.
Additionally, the size of the pan and the way it’s prepared, as well as the oven’s temperature, can affect how much the cake rises and whether it overflows.
With these tips in mind, you’re now equipped to bake a bundt cake with a flawless rise.
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.