Name: Festive Christmas Bundt Cake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup vegetable oil; 1.5 cups granulated white sugar; 4 large eggs; 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract; 3 cups cake flour plus 2 Tablespoons (or 3 cups all purpose flour plus 2 Tablespoons cornstarch, whisked together); 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 cup 2% milk; ¼ cup sprinkles (jimmies or quins work best); 1 ½ cups powdered sugar; 1-2 tablespoons water; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

There's something magical about the holidays that makes baking extra special, and this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake Recipe truly captures that joy. Its colorful sprinkles peek through a tender crumb, topped with a sweet vanilla glaze — perfect for sharing and celebrating with friends and family.

A round bundt cake with a light golden brown color sits on a wooden board, showing its smooth texture and curved ridges. The cake is covered in a thick layer of white icing that drips down the sides in uneven streams. Small red and green round sprinkles are scattered evenly on top of the icing, adding a festive look. In the background, there is a red and white striped cloth partially visible, and the whole scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Bundt Cake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Christmas Bundt Cake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Christmas Bundt Cake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This cake is hands-down one of my favorite festive treats because it’s both stunning and surprisingly simple. No fancy techniques, just classic ingredients coming together to create something that feels special every time.

Easy to Make: The batter comes together quickly — perfect for when you want holiday baking without the fuss.
Colorful & Cheerful: The sprinkles add that joyful pop of color, instantly brightening any table or gathering.
Moist & Tender Texture: Using a mix of cake flour and a little cornstarch (or just cake flour) keeps this cake incredibly soft.
Delicious Vanilla Glaze: The simple icing perfectly balances sweetness without overpowering the cake’s delicate flavor.

A light brown bundt cake with a smooth texture sits on a wooden board. Thick white icing is being poured over the top, slowly flowing down the sides in thick streams and pooling slightly at the base. In the background, there is a blurred red and white striped cloth and out-of-focus warm string lights. The scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake Recipe plays a role in crafting that tender crumb and festive look. Here’s a quick rundown so you know what to look for when shopping or prepping.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden vegetable oil, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated white sugar, four whole uncracked brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with white all-purpose flour mixed with cornstarch, a small white ceramic bowl of white baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white salt, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy 2% milk, a small white ceramic bowl filled with colorful round jimmies sprinkles, and a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and soft without adding extra flavor, letting vanilla shine through.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the batter and helps create just the right crumb texture.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add richness — make sure they’re at room temperature for best mixing!
Vanilla Extract: The heart of the flavor — I like good quality pure vanilla for the best aroma.
Cake Flour (or all-purpose flour + cornstarch): Cake flour keeps the texture light and airy; the DIY substitute works beautifully if you don’t have it on hand.
Baking Powder: Gives the cake that perfect rise, lifting it just enough without collapsing.
Salt: Balances sweet flavors and enhances depth, so don’t skip it!
Milk (2% works great): Adds moisture and richness, helping the batter come together smoothly.
Sprinkles (Jimmies or Quins): For that festive crunch and color — they hold up well in the batter without bleeding.
Powdered Sugar (for icing): Makes for a smooth, sweet glaze that dresses the cake up beautifully.
Water (for icing): Just enough to thin the glaze so it drizzles perfectly over your Bundt cake.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love that this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake Recipe is so easy to personalize. Over the years, I’ve played with various additions and tweaks — and I encourage you to make it your own too!

Add Nuts or Dried Fruit: I once tossed in chopped pecans and dried cranberries for an extra festive crunch and tang — so good!
Flavor Twists: Try swapping vanilla extract for almond or orange extract for a subtle but delicious change.
Sprinkle Variations: Use holiday-shaped sprinkles for birthdays or other celebrations.
Diet-Friendly: To make it dairy-free, substitute the milk with almond or oat milk — it still turns out moist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Bundt Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

I always start by preheating my oven to 350°F and generously spraying and flouring my 10-inch Bundt pan. This little extra step helps the cake release flawlessly — no frustrating sticking!

Step 2: Mix Together Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, I whisk together the vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Getting a good mix here means your cake will have a lovely uniform texture.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

Whisk together the cake flour (or all-purpose flour + cornstarch), baking powder, and salt in another bowl. This not only distributes the leavening but also prevents clumps in your batter.

Step 4: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk

Add half of your dry ingredients to the wet and stir until just combined. Then pour in the milk and mix again. Finally, fold in the remaining dry mix gently, along with the sprinkles — don’t overmix! This keeps your cake light and airy.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Pour your batter into the prepared Bundt pan, smoothing the top lightly. Bake for 50-55 minutes — I always check with a toothpick around 50 minutes to avoid overbaking. Let the cake cool for about 5 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a rack.

Step 6: Whip Up the Vanilla Icing and Finish

While the cake cools completely, whisk powdered sugar with water and vanilla until smooth. Pour it lovingly over the cake, letting it drizzle down the sides. I sometimes sprinkle extra festive sprinkles on top for that extra holiday cheer.

Top Tip

From my experience baking this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake Recipe multiple times, a few small tricks make a huge difference in perfecting it every time.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use room temp eggs and milk to ensure everything blends evenly without any lumps.
Measure Flour Properly: Spoon your flour into the measuring cup and level it off — scooping directly packs too much flour and can dry your cake.
Don't Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, stir just until moistened to keep the crumb tender and moist.
Check for Doneness Early: Start testing around 50 minutes with a toothpick rather than baking the full time blindly to avoid dryness.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Bundt Cake Recipe

Christmas Bundt Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding a few extra sprinkles matching the season on top of the vanilla glaze — it instantly makes the cake feel like a celebration. Sometimes, a dusting of powdered sugar or a few cranberries look gorgeous and festive too.

Side Dishes

Pairing this bundt cake with a simple cup of hot cocoa or a festive mulled wine makes for a cozy holiday treat. For brunch, I enjoy serving it alongside fresh fruit or a light cream cheese spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve wrapped mini slices individually in clear cellophane tied with ribbon for guests to take home — such a cute and easy way to share the festive love. Setting the cake on a cake stand with some greenery and pine cones around adds a charming touch too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once iced, I cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for up to 5 days — it stays surprisingly moist and fresh. Keeping it out of the fridge preserves that tender texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this cake wrapped tightly in plastic and foil, and it freezes beautifully for up to a month. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If you want a warm slice, I pop it in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds — perfect for melting that glaze a tad and bringing back the fresh-baked feel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour?

Absolutely! If you don’t have cake flour, mix 3 cups all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons cornstarch and whisk well — this mimics cake flour’s lighter texture and works great in this recipe.

What’s the best way to prevent the cake from sticking to the Bundt pan?

My best advice is to spray the pan well with non-stick spray and then dust it with flour, tapping out any excess. This creates a barrier that helps the cake release easily without breaking.

Can I add other flavors to the cake besides vanilla?

Definitely! You can swap vanilla extract for almond, orange, or even peppermint extract for a festive twist. Just use the same measurement and taste as you go for the perfect balance.

How long will the cake stay fresh?

Stored covered at room temperature, this cake stays fresh for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly and freeze for up to a month. Make sure to thaw completely before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Bundt Cake Recipe has become a cozy tradition in my home, and I’m so excited to share it with you. It’s friendly enough for bakers of all levels but still feels special — the kind of cake that brings smiles and holiday cheer at every slice. Give it a try and see how easy creating delicious memories can be!