Classic Vanilla Bundt Cake Recipe

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Through multiple rounds of testing, I perfected my Bundt cake recipe by balancing the ratio of butter, fat, and eggs to avoid dryness or excess oil. I discovered that sour cream is key to achieving a tender, moist cake. With just two bowls and pantry staples, this recipe is simple and reliable.

a vanilla bundt cake on a white surface with half the cake in slices and half whole, with three forks laying beside the cake

After testing my Bundt cake recipe multiple times, I fine-tuned the balance of butter, fat, and eggs to ensure the cake wasn’t too dry or too oily. The right balance is crucial for achieving that perfect, tender crumb.

Through trial and error, I also discovered that sour cream plays a key role in keeping the cake moist and adding a subtle richness that elevates the texture.

What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is—using just two bowls and basic pantry staples, you can make a delicious Bundt cake with minimal fuss. It’s a dependable recipe that consistently delivers great results, making it perfect for both beginner and experienced bakers alike.

A few tips to ensure success: beat the butter and sugar for 2 minutes until light and fluffy, and add the eggs three at a time to speed up the process without compromising texture. My approach to baking focuses on helping others master classic desserts with confidence, and this Bundt cake is a perfect example of that philosophy in action.

two slices of vanilla bundt cake on a small white plate with a fork beside it, another plate with slices behind it, and a small glass of milk

This is the best Bundt Cake Recipe

Sometimes, the best bundt cake recipes are the simplest, and that is certainly true here. This simple vanilla bundt cake always gets rave reviews, and even a novice baker can make this perfect the first time when you follow my easy step-by-step instructions below.

This moist cake has a buttery, rich flavor and a simple, sweet glaze for the top of the cake. The best part? You get to choose whether you want that glaze to be vanilla or chocolate! Both recipes are included below.

Keep reading for all my best tips and tricks for prepping your pan and baking a bundt cake with the right consistency.

Looking for more recipes to make in your bundt pan? Make this easy monkey bread!

What you’ll love about this Moist Vanilla Bundt Cake Recipe

Here are a few reasons why you’ll love this bundt cake recipe:

Perfectly simple and elegant for special occasions
Tender cake with moist crumbs
Option of vanilla or chocolate glaze
Just 20 minutes of prep time
Delicious cake with vanilla flavor

overhead view of the ingredients for bundt cake including a small glass bowl of baking powder, a white bowl of all-purpose flour, a carton of 6 eggs, a small white bowl of salt, two sticks of butter, a bottle of vanilla extract, a small measuring scoop of sour cream, a glass measuring cup of whole milk, and a white bowl of granulated sugar

Simple Vanilla Bundt Cake ingredients

You don’t need any fancy ingredients to make this decadent cake! Get the full recipe with measurements and instructions in the recipe card below. Here’s what you’ll need:

Bundt Cake

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt
Unsalted butter: room temperature
Granulated sugar
Eggs: room temperature
Sour cream
Vanilla extract
Whole milk: room temperature

Best Frosting for this Vanilla Bundt Cake Recipe

Vanilla bundt cake pairs perfectly with either vanilla or chocolate glaze. Both glazes are simple and delicious. Here are the ingredients and instructions:

Overhead view of the ingredients for chocolate glaze including a bottle of corn syrup, a white dish full of heavy whipping cream, and a white bowl of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Ingredients for Vanilla Glaze

Powdered sugar
Milk or heavy whipping cream
Vanilla extract
Salt

Ingredients for Chocolate Glaze

Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Heavy whipping cream
Corn syrup

vanilla glaze being drizzled off a wire whisk into a white bowl full of glaze

vanilla glaze dripping down the sides of a vanilla bundt cake

a plain vanilla bundt cake on a white service

How to make Vanilla Bundt Cake

Serve this bundt cake for celebrations or just because you want a sweet treat. A fresh piece of bundt cake with a hot cup of coffee is what dreams are made of! Get the full recipe with ingredients, measurements and glaze instructions in the recipe card below. Here are the easy steps to bundt cake perfection:

Bundt Cake

Prep oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Mix dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

wet ingredients for vanilla bundt cake in a white bowl with eggs on top that haven't been mixed in yet

Mix butter and sugar. In a large bowl, combine the butter and sugar on medium speed with an electric mixer. Beat until light in color and fluffy, 1-2 minutes.
Add eggs. Add in the eggs, 3 at a time, mixing until combined.

wet ingredients for vanilla bundt cake in a white bowl with sour cream and vanilla extract on top that have not been mixed in yet

Mix in the sour cream and vanilla extract.

wet ingredients for bundt cake in a white bowl with dry ingredients on top that haven't been mixed in yet

Combine dry and wet ingredients. Add half of the dry ingredients, beating on low. Next, add the milk and beat again on low. Then add the remaining dry ingredients, mixing on low until fully combined.

batter for vanilla bundt cake in a white bowl with a measuring cup of milk being poured on top

batter for vanilla bundt cake in a white bowl with the whisks of an electric mixer leaning inside the bowl

Prep bundt cake pan. Liberally grease a 9 inch bundt pan (it’s important to know what size you have) with butter. Get the butter in all the nooks. Once the pan is evenly coated with butter, add a few tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the pan. Hold the pan over the sink and rotate it, tapping the sides as you go, to evenly distribute the flour. Ensure the entire interior is covered with a thin layer of flour. Turn the pan upside down over the sink or trash can to remove any excess flour.

freshly baked bundt cake in a bundt pan sitting on a wire rack

Add batter and bake. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake for 50-55 minutes or until it’s starting to brown, appears set on top, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the cake appears to be browning too quickly, tent it with foil for the final 15 minutes of baking.
Cool. Remove the bundt cake from the oven and allow it to cool (not inverted) for 15 minutes on a cooling rack. Then invert the pan over a piece of parchment paper or a plate, tapping on the bottom of the pan to release the cake. Allow the cake to cool completely before adding the glaze. I’ve provided a vanilla glaze and chocolate glaze above and in the recipe card below.

a slice of vanilla bundt cake being lifted away from the rest of the cake with a spatula

Vanilla Glaze Instructions

Combine ingredients. Sift the powdered sugar, this helps to create a silky, smooth glaze. Add in 3 tbsp of milk or heavy cream and vanilla extract, whisk to combine. Add another tbsp of milk or heavy cream to thin out the glaze or more powdered sugar to thicken the glaze. Taste and adjust, whisk in the salt.
Top cake. Drizzle generously over the cake. Allow the glaze to set for 30-60 minutes before slicing and serving.

Chocolate Glaze Instructions

Prep chocolate. Place chocolate chips in a medium heat-proof bowl.
Heat cream. In a small pot over low heat, heat the heavy cream just until boiling.
Add cream to the chocolate. Pour the heavy cream over the chocolate chips. Allow the mixture to stand for 1-2 minutes.
Mix ingredients. Use a spatula to stir the mixture until smooth. Stir in the corn syrup.
Cool and use. Allow the glaze to come to room temperature before adding it to the cake. Then drizzle generously over the cake. Allow the glaze to set for 30-60 minutes before slicing and serving.

Best Vanilla Bundt Cake Recipe Variations

This cake is best as-is, but if you need to make some swaps, here are some ideas:

Sour cream: Sour cream helps this cake to be moist and rich, but you can try swapping it for full-fat plain greek yogurt.
Gluten free vanilla bundt cake: To make this recipe gluten free, simply swap the flour. I recommend King Arthur Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour. Use it as a one for one substitute for regular flour.

side view of a vanilla bundt cake with slices missing, exposing the inside of the cake with the glaze layer on top

Vanilla Bundt Cake Recipe Tips

For best results, follow these tips:

Combine dry and wet ingredients gradually: As described in step 6 above, only add half of the dry ingredients, then the milk, then the remaining dry ingredients, mixing in between each addition. This will help to prevent lumps in the batter.
Prep bundt pan correctly: Be sure to prep the bundt pan using the method in step 7 above. This will make it easy to release the cake from the sides of the pan without damage to the cake.
Cool the cake completely: If you don’t allow the cake to cool completely before adding the glaze, the glaze will just run right off the cake.

a bundt cake pan coated in butter and a light dusting of flour

How to Grease a Bundt Pan

The best way to grease a bundt pan for easy release of the cake is to liberally grease the pan with butter and then dust it with a light coating of flour. Grease your bundt pan with butter, being careful to get the butter in all the nooks. Once the pan is evenly coated with butter, add a few tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the pan. Hold the pan over the sink and rotate it, tapping the sides as you go, to evenly distribute the flour. Ensure the entire interior is covered with a thin layer of flour. Turn the pan upside down over the sink or trash can to remove any excess flour.

How to Get Cake Out of Bundt Pan

If your bundt pan is greased properly, it should be pretty easy to get the cake out. First, allow it to cool for 15 minutes on a cooling rack. Then, invert the pan over a piece of parchment paper or a plate, tapping on the bottom of the pan to release the cake. If needed, you can gently run a butter knife into the sides of the pan where the cake may seem a little stuck to help loosen it.

a slice of vanilla bundt cake on a small white plate with a bite missing out of it

How to Frost a Bundt Cake

Bundt cakes are known for having a glaze that runs down the sides, which makes them really easy to frost. All you need to do is generously drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake and let it run down, and then allow it to set for 30-60 minutes before slicing the cake and serving.

How to Store Vanilla Bundt Cake

Store leftover cake at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. To store, wrap the cooled cake in foil or plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container.

Can you Freeze Bundt Cake?

Yes, you can freeze bundt cake. If planning to freeze, don’t glaze the cake yet. Wrap tightly in the plastic wrap and store in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw on the counter at room temperature and then continue with the glaze.

Moist Bundt Cake Recipe FAQs

What makes a bundt cake different from a regular cake?

The main difference is the pan. A bundt cake is made in a bundt pan, giving it a large, circular shape with a hole in the middle (like a large donut). Bundt cakes are also typically more moist and deeper than regular cakes.

What is an advantage to using bundt pans over a regular cake pan?

Bundt pans can bake deeper cakes more evenly because of their design with the hole in the middle.