Are you ready to add some joy to your baking routine? Look no further than this delightful Easy Vanilla Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting and colorful sprinkles, this cake is perfect for any occasion.
Picture: Sliced vanilla bundt cake on a white cake plate.
The Magic of Sprinkles
When you become a parent, you learn to become a big fan of sprinkles. I don't think I've ever met a kid who didn't love them. There's a reason why funfetti cupcakes are always a hit at a kid's birthday party!
So imagine my excitement when I made this easy vanilla bundt cake, topped it with cream cheese frosting, and finished it with rainbow sprinkles. It looked like a giant donut, and I knew my little one, Elle, would be super excited about it too. But you don't have to stick with rainbow sprinkles; you can use different seasonal sprinkles to customize the cake for different holidays.
Life really is more fun with sprinkles and cake.
Picture: Two slices of vanilla bundt cake topped with cream cheese frosting and rainbow sprinkles laying down on a white plate.
How to Make this Easy Vanilla Bundt Cake
A lot of people wonder if you can just take any old cake recipe and turn it into a bundt cake. The answer is...sort of.
Yes, you can turn many cakes into bundt cakes, but sometimes they need some tweaking. That's why I recommend starting with a recipe that is already tested as a bundt cake, like this easy vanilla bundt cake recipe. That way, you know it will work well in those beautiful bundt pans!
Picture: Side view of a vanilla bundt cake topped with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles, set on a white cake plate.
Ingredients You'll Need
This recipe is a doctored cake mix recipe, perfect for when you need a delicious cake in a hurry. Here's what you'll need for the cake:
- 1 white cake mix
- 1 box instant cheesecake pudding mix
- ¾ cup milk
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla paste or extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Because we're adding a cream cheese frosting to the cake, I like to use cheesecake pudding mix to bring some tanginess into the cake itself. If you can't find cheesecake pudding mix, you can substitute it with instant vanilla pudding mix.
The frosting is a smaller batch of my cream cheese frosting recipe. For the frosting, you'll need:
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
Both the cream cheese and butter need to be softened to room temperature. If you're out of powdered sugar, don't worry—I have a solution for that too. Check out my post on how to make powdered sugar at home.
Picture: Easy vanilla bundt cake ingredients arranged on a beige countertop.
Making this Recipe
To make the cake, simply mix together the cake mix, pudding mix, milk, oil, eggs, vanilla, and almond extract with a mixer. Beat for about 2 minutes until well combined.
Pour the batter into a prepared bundt pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 45 minutes before removing it to finish cooling.
Once the vanilla bundt cake is completely cooled, it's time to make the cream cheese frosting. Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese together for about 5 minutes.
Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth. Beat for an additional 5 minutes on medium speed.
Spread the frosting onto the cooled cake and decorate it as desired with sprinkles. Rainbow sprinkles will make it look like a giant donut, or you can use colored sprinkles to match different holidays.
Picture: Batter for vanilla bundt cake in a white mixing bowl.
Bundt Cake FAQs
How do I keep my vanilla bundt cake from sticking to the pan?
Even though many bundt pans have a nonstick coating, cakes can still stick due to the detailed designs. To prevent this, I recommend using a nonstick spray specifically designed for baking. These sprays contain flour, which helps the cakes release better.
If you have a highly detailed bundt pan, it's a good idea to grease and flour the pan by hand, paying extra attention to all the little nooks and crannies. Additionally, allowing the cake to cool in the pan for at least 30-45 minutes before removing it can help prevent sticking.
Picture: Cream cheese frosting in a glass mixing bowl, set next to a cooling vanilla bundt cake.
How can I change up this vanilla bundt cake recipe?
If you can't find cheesecake pudding mix or prefer a different flavor, you can substitute it with vanilla pudding mix. To add some citrus flavor, try using a lemon pudding mix, omitting the almond extract, and adding some lemon zest to the batter. You can also fold in mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.
I don’t like cream cheese frosting. Is there another frosting I can use?
Absolutely! You can use a classic buttercream frosting or whipped cream frosting. Alternatively, you can swap the frosting for a simple glaze or a drizzle of chocolate ganache. If you prefer a lighter option, you can also dust the cake with powdered sugar.
Picture: Cream cheese frosting spread over a vanilla bundt cake set on a wire rack.
How long will this cake last?
Store this easy vanilla bundt cake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you omit the cream cheese frosting, you can store it at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Can I make this cake ahead of time and freeze it?
Absolutely! For the best results, I recommend freezing the cake without the frosting. You can follow the instructions for freezing unfrosted cake layers in my tutorial on how to freeze cake.
The cream cheese frosting can also be frozen. Place it in an airtight container and freeze for up to a month. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then let it come to room temperature before whipping it with an electric mixer for a minute or two. Top the thawed cake with the frosting, and no one will guess you froze it!
Picture: Overhead view of a vanilla bundt cake topped with cream cheese frosting and rainbow sprinkles.
More Delicious Bundt Cake Recipes
If you loved this easy vanilla bundt cake, you're in for a treat! Explore my collection of delightful bundt cake recipes for more baking inspiration.
Picture: Two slices of easy vanilla bundt cake sitting up on a pink plate.
Now it's time to spread some joy in the kitchen. Gather your ingredients, put on an apron, and let the sprinkles fly! Happy baking!
