The Best Bundt Cake Tips for the Perfect Cake
Do you want to make an impressive cake without any special decorating skills? A bundt cake is the answer and so I am sharing all of my bundt cake tips and tricks to make it even easier.
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What is so special about a Bundt Cake
A bundt cake is a deeper cake that stays moist and delicious. The fluted pan also looks impressive and creates a beautiful cake without any extra work or special decorating skills.
The shape of the pan encourages a golden brown color on the outside but the depth of the cake keeps it moist. The pan is perfect for a pound cake.
10 Tips for an Easy and Perfect Bundt Cake
1. Start with a good nonstick bundt cake pan.
Starting with a really good quality, nonstick bundt pan {10 or 12 cup} is going to be a total game changer. This Nordic Ware Pan is the one I use day in and day out. I love that it is affordable, has a premium non-stick interior coating and it is also just the right size.
You may find that you need to replace yours with a new pan.  If you try using an older pan that doesn’t have a good nonstick coating the cake will not release easily and stick in places.
Also be sure to wash your pan by hand with hot soapy water and a soft rag. If you try using a harsh cleaner or scrub pad it could mess with the nonstick coating. It should also not be run through the dishwasher. This bundt cake tip is so important.
2. Don’t spray the pan with nonstick spray until right before adding the cake batter.
Adding the regular cooking spray too soon will give it time to pool inside of the pan and not stick to the sides of the pan.
If you wait until right before you add the cake batter, the spray will be in all of the right places. To get an even better cake release use Baker’s Joy or Pam with Flour sprays.
If you are starting with a pan that is more intricate, use the butter and flour method. For this method, take room temperature butter {or shortening} and spread into every crevice with a pastry brush. Then dust the pan with flour, sugar or cocoa powder.
I recommend cocoa powder for chocolate cake because it doesn’t leave a white residue on the outside of the cake like the flour will. Granulated sugar is a great addition to almost any cake that you want a fun texture on the outside.
3. Make sure the cake batter in an even layer
To get a nice and evenly baked cake the batter needs to be in a good even layer. There should not be areas of the cake that are thicker or thinner than others in the prepared pan because it will bake unevenly. To achieve this, pour batter into the pan and spread out evenly.
It is also a great way to get a nice and even bottom that lays nicely on a serving plate. Â Another way to ensure an even layer is to do a light tap on the counter which will help to remove any air pockets.
4. Don’t over bake the cake
Do not wait until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Pull the cake from the oven when there are a few moist crumbs on the toothpick {but no raw batter}. This single step will help ensure that you get a nice and moist cake every single time.
Another way to tell if the cake is done baking is to use your finger and press into the top of the cake. If it bounces back, the cake is finished baking. If the finger imprint stays on the top of the cake, it needs 5-10 additional baking minutes.
Be patient and know that bundt cakes can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour to bake, depending on the type of cake you are making.
5. Let the cake cool in the pan for a minimum of 10 minutes.
Trying to invert your cake too soon will not give it enough time to set up {the cake breaks} and naturally lift away from the pan.
Be sure to read the recipe directions for the exact cooling time but 10 minutes on a cooling rack is the minimum I would do for best results.
If you turn the cake over the first time and it doesn’t release the edges of the cake, relax and gently use a flat offset spatula or skewer and work around the edges and middle of the cake. Â This should allow any sticky spots to lift up.
6. Don’t add frosting, glaze or powdered sugar until the cake is completely cooled
Be sure to wait until the cake is totally cooled before adding most toppings. If you add it too soon it will melt or absorb into the cake.
If you are in a hurry and need to cool the cake quickly, pop the cake into the freezer or fridge for 15-25 minutes.
7. Chose the toppings for your cake wisely
Some cakes {like a lemon pound cake recipe} are sturdier than others and can withstand more toppings than a lighter cake can.
For firmer and heavier cakes you can add lots of fresh fruit, heavy frosting or anything else you love. For a more delicate cake go with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a simple vanilla glaze.
8. Be Creative
Don’t get stuck in a rut and always do the same thing. There are so many ways to amp up the flavor and look of a bundt cake.
Try using the bottom of the cake for the top! This gives you more square footage and allows you to add more toppings. Check out this Better Than Anything Bundt or Tiramisu Cake.
Fill the cake with something delicious either before or after baking. Adding cheesecake filling like I did with this Red Velvet Cake is always a great idea. The filling bakes inside the cake and creates a delicious inside layer.
You can also fill the cake after baking. This Boston Cream Pie Poke Cake uses pudding to fill the cake with a decadent addition but you can also use jello, sweetened condensed milk or caramel.
You can also make mini bundt cakes. They are so much fun and everyone loves having their own individual serving. This Mini Chocolate Bundt recipe and Mini Lemon Bundt recipe are both so much fun.
9. Take help where you can
Using cake mixes and adding extra ingredients like sour cream or buttermilk give the cake a homemade flavor without much added work. Trust me when I tell you that NOBODY will know that it started from a box.
Did you know that you can make a glaze with store bought frosting. See this Black Bottom Cake for all of the awesome {and easy} details.
10. Don’t stress if it doesn’t go exactly as planned
If the cake sticks in areas, don’t stress about it. Sometimes you can do everything right and it just doesn’t work which is one of the best bundt cake tips.
When this happens there are a few things you can do. First of all, just use your fingers to remove the pieces that were stuck and place them onto the cake. If it is obvious that you did that {which it isn’t always}, use a thick glaze or frosting over the top of the cake to cover any imperfections.
As a last resort, remove the bundt cake from the pan and cut it into pieces. Layer it with other complimentary ingredients in a dish to make an amazing trifle and nobody will ever know the difference.
Bundt Cake FAQs
I would use a 10-cup bundt pan or 12-cup bundt pan because they give you plenty of room for an ample amount of batter and also for the cake to rise during baking.
My favorite bundt pans are this Nordic Ware Pan and Mini Bundt pan but if you prefer a fancier finish, try this more intricate pan.
My all-time favorite topping is chocolate ganache that I microwave until creamy and smooth. With only two ingredients, it goes perfectly on so many recipes, especially this White Chocolate Raspberry Cake.
