38 Easy Bundt Cake Recipes That Taste Just as Good As They Look

Spiked Eggnog Bundt Cake
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Bundt cakes may be an old-fashioned Southern dessert, but in our minds, they've never gone out of style. We think of them as a baker's secret weapon: Pretty molded cakes look incredibly impressive, but they're deceptively simple to make, even for a novice baker. A ring-shaped, ridged Bundt pan can transform the most basic cake recipe into a work of art with hardly any fuss in the kitchen. Best of all, most Bundt cakes only need a simple glaze or dusting of powdered sugar to shine.

The Southern Living Test Kitchen has developed so many Bundt cake recipes over the years, and this collection of recipes includes some of our most popular ones to get you started. You can make a Bundt cake to please just about any type of sweet tooth. We've got chocolate and vanilla Bundts, citrusy pound cakes and spiced sponges. From Lemon Bundt Cake to Glazed Donut Buttermilk Cake, these easy Bundt cake recipes are instantly achievable for even novice bakers. So grab your prettiest Bundt pan and get baking!

01 of 38

Coconut Pound Cake

Coconut Pound Cake
Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Coconut Pound Cake

Three Southern dessert favorites—coconut, pecans, and bourbon—meet in this simple, but beautiful pound cake recipe.

02 of 38

Classic Southern Pound Cake

Classic Southern Pound Cake
Skyler Burt; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Karen Rankin

Recipe: Classic Southern Pound Cake

A true classic doesn't need an introduction, so we'll let this beauty speak for itself.

03 of 38

Banana Bundt Cake

banana bundt cake with vanilla glaze
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist:Christine Keely Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Banana Bundt Cake

You can think of this cake as a combination of two classic recipes, banana bread and pound cake, which means you know it'll be delicious.

04 of 38

Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake

Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake
Alison Miksch

Recipe: Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake

This brownie-like bundt cake is made with cocoa, bittersweet chocolate, and espresso powder for deep, rich chocolate flavor. Every bundt cake can benefit from a thick, rich glaze and we topped this one with not one, but two deliciously contrasting glazes: a sweet chocolate glaze and a tangy buttermilk glaze.

05 of 38

Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake

Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake
Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Kay E Clarke

Recipe: Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake

We love how this donut-inspired cake looks atop an old-fashioned cake stand.

06 of 38

Honey Bun Cake

Honey Bun Cake
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

Recipe: Honey Bun Cake

This cake starts with packaged yellow cake mix, but a layer of cinnamon sugar in the middle and layer of sugar-vanilla drizzle on the outside make it anything but ordinary.

07 of 38

Hummingbird Bundt Cake

Hummingbird Bundt Cake
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Hummingbird Bundt Cake

There's not always time to ice a layered cake to perfection before your dinner party, so we adapted it for an easy Bundt pan recipe with a decadent cream cheese glaze that doesn't take any decorating skills.

08 of 38

Sweet Tea Bundt Cake

Sweet Tea Bundt Cake
Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Sweet Tea Bundt Cake

Of course we love sipping on a cold glass of sweet tea, but this Bundt cake recipe makes a delicious case for baking with it.

09 of 38

Mary's Mango Cake

Mary's Mango Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Mary's Mango Cake

Made with fresh oranges, limes, and mangoes, this Bundt cake tastes like a sunny day on the beaches of Florida.

10 of 38

Lemon-Orange Pound Cake

Lemon-Orange Pound Cake
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Ana Kelly

Recipe: Lemon-Orange Pound Cake

Southerners know some of the best recipes come from the pages of Junior League cookbooks, including this one from Houston.

11 of 38

Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake
Luca Trovato

Recipe: Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

A sweet ribbon of cream cheese runs through this moist spice cake studded with chunks of apples. And if that wasn't enough, we made this bundt cake truly over-the-top by adding a thick and rich praline frosting and toasted pecans.

12 of 38

Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake

Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake

This summer stunner showcases fresh peaches in picture-perfect fashion.

13 of 38

Cranberry-Apple Pumpkin Bundt

Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt
Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Recipe: Cranberry-Apple Pumpkin Bundt

Three favorite fall flavors combine in this beloved Bundt cake. Cranberry, apple, and pumpkin, all in a beautiful Bundt? It's a win-win-win for the dessert table.

14 of 38

Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake

A pretty pink layer of store-bought strawberry glaze livens up an old-fashioned pound cake made with vanilla and almond extracts for a more complex flavor. Similar to a marbled bundt cake, the strawberry glaze is dolloped on the batter then swirled with a long wooden skewer.

15 of 38

Mini Bourbon-and-Cola Bundt Cakes

Mini Bourbon and Cola Bundt Cakes
Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Mini Bourbon-and-Cola Bundt Cakes

Bourbon, cola, and chocolate cake? You've got a winner. Great for tailgating or any gathering, these cute treats can be frozen individually for quick grab-and-go snacks.

16 of 38

Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

Looking for a crowd-pleasing but simple bundt cake? Our Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake is easy to whip up and fits almost any occasion. It's a great for family dinners, book clubs, church socials, neighborhood potlucks, or school bake sales. Filled with mini chocolate chips and chopped pecans and made with brown sugar and vanilla, it's the cake version of the classic chocolate chip cookie. Serve this everyday cake as-is, or dress it up with hot fudge sauce and sliced berries, whipped cream and toasted pecans, or use thin slices of cake to make ice cream sandwiches with your favorite store-bought ice cream.

17 of 38

Mama's Rum Cake

Mama's Rum Cake
Peter Frank Edwards

Recipe: Mama's Rum Cake

A double dose of rum in the cake and the glaze makes this Bundt cake ultra-decadent.

18 of 38

Tennessee Jam Bundt Cake

Tennessee Jam Bundt Cake
Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Recipe: Tennessee Jam Bundt Cake

Store-bought sugar was once scarce in some parts of the South, so desserts were often sweetened with homemade jams and preserves. We brought back this classic Southern cake and it immediately became a top-rated reader favorite.

19 of 38

Pumpkin Spice Magic Cake

Pumpkin Spice Cake
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Magic Cake

If you're loyal to the pumpkin spice game come fall, you've got to try this impressive, flan-like cake.

20 of 38

Chocolate Bundt Cake

Chocolate Bundt Cake
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Chocolate Bundt Cake

This decadent cake has double the chocolate with both boxed cake and brownie mixes.

21 of 38

7UP Bundt Cake

7-UP Bundt Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

Recipe: 7UP Bundt Cake

Southerners have been relying on the secret of soda to make incredible cakes for generations.

22 of 38

Sock It To Me Cake

Sock It To Me Cake
Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

Recipe: Sock It To Me Cake

Whether you want to enjoy this Bundt cake for breakfast or dessert, you probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen.

23 of 38

Reese's Cake

Reese’s Cake
Alison Miksch

Recipe: Reese's Cake

If you have a loved one who always picks Reese's in the checkout line, you absolutely have to make this cake for him or her.

24 of 38

Yellow Squash Bundt Cake

Yellow Squash Bundt Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Yellow Squash Bundt Cake

Use up your fresh squash this summer with an unexpected dessert that the kids will never know has vegetables in it.

25 of 38

Grand Marnier Cakes

Grand Marnier Cakes
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Ana Kelly

Recipe: Grand Marnier Cakes

First featured in Tea-Time at the Masters in 1977 as a tube-pan cake, we updated Grand Marnier Cake to be made in mini Bundt pans for luncheon-ready presentation.

26 of 38

Orange Cake

Orange Cake Recipe
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Orange Cake

This bright cake is topped with candied orange zest for a holiday-worthy presentation.

27 of 38

Pecan Spice Cake with Caramel-Rum Glaze Recipe

Pecan Spice Cake with Caramel-Rum Glaze
Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pecan Spice Cake with Caramel-Rum Glaze Recipe

You don't need bakery-level decorating skills with a decadent glaze to pour over this festive holiday Bundt cake.

28 of 38

Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes

Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes
Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes

Personal portions make the host's job easier so he or she can sit down and enjoy dessert with the table instead of slicing for everyone.

29 of 38

Pumpkin-Spice Bundt with Brown Sugar Icing and Candied Pecans

Pumpkin-Spice Bundt with Brown Sugar Icing and Candied Pecans
Photo: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Pumpkin-Spice Bundt with Brown Sugar Icing and Candied Pecans

If you want your house to smell amazing this fall, whip up this beautiful Bundt.

30 of 38

Lemon-Lime Pound Cake

Lemon-Lime Pound Cake
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Lemon-Lime Pound Cake

Citrus shines in this dessert based off the original 7UP Pound Cake recipe from the 1950s.

31 of 38

Cranberry-Orange Bundt Cake

cranberry orange bundt cake
Photographer: Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Recipe: Cranberry-Orange Bundt Cake

This Bundt cake is moist and full of sweet-tart flavor from cranberries and orange liqueur. Once it's placed out on the dessert table, you better grab your slice fast because it won't be there for long.

32 of 38

Carrot Bundt Cake

Carrot Bundt Cake
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

Recipe: Carrot Bundt Cake

All the flavors you love about a classic carrot cake have been converted into a pretty Bundt form. The sweetness of the carrot is met with a tangy, creamy finish from the cream cheese frosting.

33 of 38

Carrot-Pineapple Mini Bundt Cakes with Buttermilk-Vanilla Glaze

Carrot-Pineapple Mini Bundt Cakes with Buttermilk-Vanilla Glaze
Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Carrot-Pineapple Mini Bundt Cakes with Buttermilk-Vanilla Glaze

If you're tired of the same old carrot cake recipe, try these mini Bundts which are packed with cinnamon, crushed pineapple, toasted pecans, and carrots, of course. A thin buttermilk-vanilla glaze is a refreshing twist on the expected cream cheese frosting.

34 of 38

Pumpkin Pound Cake

pumpkin pound cake
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

Recipe: Pumpkin Pound Cake

Be still our hearts! Have you ever seen a more enticing pound cake in such a beautiful Bundt form? This Pumpkin Pound Cake is loaded with fall flavor goodness from the sweet pumpkin in the cake to the maple-butter glaze that's drizzled all over its top.

35 of 38

Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

When the summertime baking bug bites, head to your local berry patch to buy ripe blueberries, and then whip up this delicious, tangy, and eye-catching cake.

36 of 38

Apple Butter Pound Cake with Caramel Frosting

Apple Butter Pound Cake with Caramel Frosting
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Apple Butter Pound Cake with Caramel Frosting

This pound cake may look unsuspecting on the outside but smack in the middle of it is a delicious ring of apple butter. How's that for a seasonal baking recipe?

37 of 38

Lemon Bundt Cake

Lemon Bundt Cake
Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Kay E Clarke

Recipe: Lemon Bundt Cake

A Lemon Bundt Cake is the Jill of All Trades in the "occasion cake" world. Take it to a spring luncheon, a family reunion, or even a wake, and it will always deliver on flavor and comfort.

38 of 38

Spiked Eggnog Bundt Cake

Spiked Eggnog Bundt Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Spiked Eggnog Bundt Cake

We spiked this holiday cake with just the right amount of bourbon.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles