The understated Bundt pan is not just for Bundt cakes, it is perfect for other sweet treats such as monkey bread, marble cakes and jello as well as dinner options such as roast chicken, timbale or meatloaf.
Although Bundt cakes have been around for the last few centuries, the Bundt pan is actually a mid-20th century invention, and although cakes baked in a Bundt pan look fantastic, it can be time consuming to prepare them properly beforehand. In this article we take an in-depth look at how to prevent food from sticking to your Bundt pan, as well as looking at what the best Bundt pan has to offer for making the best Bundt cake. Best Pick
The non-stick aluminum Nordic Ware Heritage Bundt pan (gold) with its classic swirl design and lifetime warranty is our pick of the Bundt bunch.
View on Amazon Budget Pick
Complete with handles for easier releasing and a larger center tube, the Nordic Ware Platinum Anniversary Bundt pan is our budget Bundt pick.
View on Amazon Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Bundt Pans Product Name Grade Nordic Ware 80677 Heritage Bundt Pan A+ Nordic Ware Platinum Anniversary Bundt Pan A+ Nordic Ware Bavarian Bundt Pan A Wilton 2105-6803 Non-Stick Fluted Tube Pan A- Nordic Ware Jubilee Bundt Pan A- Cuisinart AMB-95FCP Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Fluted Cake Pan B Nordic Ware Pro Cast Original Bundt Pan B+ Utopia Kitchen Round Baking Pan B Wilton Recipe Right Non-Stick Fluted Tube Pan A- Anolon Advanced 9.5" Fluted Mold Pan A 1. Nordic Ware 80677 Heritage Bundt Pan View on Amazon Highlighted Features A gold colored swirl design Bundt pan Made in the US from heavy cast aluminum for uniform browning With a 10 cup capacity, it is also non-stick This pan has a lifetime limited warranty against manufacturing defects
Made in the US, the Nordic Ware Heritage Bundt pan (gold) is a 10 cup capacity pan with a classic swirl design. This pan is made from non-stick heavy cast aluminum for even baking and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
If you make pound cakes, you may find this pan a little shallow and you may need to reduce batter quantity slightly from your regular recipe as there can be more risk of overflowing. The shape of this Bundt pan also means that parts of the cake can be prone to overbaking, so you may need to adjust cooking temp/time slightly. Pros Gold colored Bundt pan 10 cup capacity Non-stick cast aluminum Made in the US Lifetime warranty Cons You may find this a little shallow for a regular pound cake May need to reduce batter quantity to prevent overflow Slight temperature/time adjustment may be necessary to avoid overbaking Check Latest Price on Amazon 2. Nordic Ware Platinum Anniversary Bundt Pan View on Amazon Highlighted Features US made Bundt pan that comes with a lifetime limited warranty Platinum colored 10 to 15 cup capacity pan with heat reflective exterior This non-stick pan has a larger center tube and handles for easier releasing Has a lifetime limited warranty
Complete with handles for easier releasing, the Nordic Ware Platinum Anniversary Bundt pan is a 10 to 15 cup capacity non-stick pan with a larger center tube. This Bundt pan does come with handles which are useful, but if you invert your finished cake onto a plate rather than a rack you may find that the handles get in the way.
Made from heavy cast aluminum, the exterior is silver and heat reflective for even browning and the pan is resistant to rusting and warping. The non-stick capability of this pan may reduce with time and use, and there may be occasional burrs around the edge of the pan. Pros Bundt pan with handles 10 to 15 cup capacity Heavy cast aluminum Non-stick Warp-resistant Lifetime warranty Cons May be occasional burrs or rough spots on the edge of the pan Quality of non-stick will reduce with use and time Handles can get in the way when releasing the cake Check Latest Price on Amazon 3. Nordic Ware Bavarian Bundt Pan View on Amazon Highlighted Features US made cast aluminum Bundt pan with non-stick coated inner The exterior is heat reflective to offer more uniform browning Has an ornate geometric design The pan has a 10 to 12 cup capacity and its diameter is 9" Comes with a 20 year warranty against any defects
Made from cast aluminum in the US, the Nordic Ware Bavarian Bundt pan has a heat reflective exterior for uniform browning and a durable inner non-stick coating for easy food release. With a 9" diameter, it has a 10 to 12 cup capacity. Its design is geometric, which can make it slightly more awkward to clean and it is only suitable for hand washing. It comes with a 20 year limited warranty.
Like any type of pan, there can be a tendency for food to stick, so thorough greasing is usually recommended. It may also be smaller than you expect and to take the maximum cup capacity it may mean filling the pan to the top or baking an 8 cup cake rather than a 10 cup. Pros Geometric design Bundt pan Cast aluminum US-made Non-stick inner 10 to 12 cup capacity 20 year limited warranty Cons Pattern can make clean up more difficult
Depending on cup size used its capacity may be nearer 8 rather than 10 cups
Thorough greasing is essential to prevent sticking
Not dishwasher safe
Check Latest Price on Amazon 4. Wilton 2105-6803 Non-Stick Fluted Tube Pan View on Amazon Highlighted Features Non-stick fluted pan with molded handles for easier handling Its capacity is around 10 to 12 cups and its diameter is 9.25" Dishwasher safe although the manufacturer recommends that you hand wash Has a ten year limited warranty
Made from steel, the Wilton 2105-6803 non-stick fluted tube pan is 9.25" diameter with a capacity of around 10 to 12 cups. The pan edge contains handle molding for easier gripping and because the fluting is shallower than similar pans, your cakes will not be as pronounced when baked in this pan.
Although this pan is dishwasher safe, handwashing is recommended. It comes with a ten year warranty from the manufacturer. Pros Non-stick fluted pan 9.25" diameter Fluting design Has handles Ten year warranty
Cons Shallower fluting than similar tube pans Will need thorough greasing before use Hand washing recommended although it is dishwasher safe Check Latest Price on Amazon 5. Nordic Ware Jubilee Bundt Pan View on Amazon Highlighted Features This metallic colored Bundt pan has a 10 cup capacity and is made from cast aluminum Its design is swirled diamond and ideal for glazed cakes Has a lifetime limited warranty and is made in the US
The cast aluminum Nordic Ware Jubilee Bundt pan (metallic) has a swirled diamond pattern that is ideal for glazed cakes. It has a 10 cup capacity, and made in the US, it also comes with a lifetime limited warranty.
As the pattern on this pan is complex, you will need to spend extra time when greasing and coating to ensure that all of the nooks and crannies are well greased, otherwise there is a risk of your cake sticking. Similarly, it will also take longer to clean. Pros Metallic Bundt pan 10 cup capacity Swirled diamond design US-made Lifetime warranty Cons Will take longer to grease and coat this pan design Cleaning may be more difficult than with other Bundt pans Check Latest Price on Amazon 6. Cuisinart AMB-95FCP Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Fluted Cake Pan View on Amazon Highlighted Features 9.5" diameter heavy gauge aluminized steel cake pan Has a traditional fluting design for making Bundt cakes Inner lining is Whitford Xylan non-stick and its edges are thick rolled to reduce warping Suitable for cleaning in the dishwasher Comes with a lifetime limited warranty from the manufacturer
The Cuisinart AMB-95FCP Chef’s Classic non-stick fluted cake pan is a 9.5" diameter pan made of heavy gauge aluminized steel. Ideal for making Bundt cakes, this has a traditional open fluting pattern and it can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Some owners have experienced some leakage on the seam of this pan, so you may find it helpful to place a sheet pan on the bottom of the oven to catch any spills.
The pan also has thick rolled edges to help prevent it from warping and a Whitford Xylan non-stick inner, which can be liable to scratches or damage with use. This pan also comes with a lifetime limited warranty. Pros
Fluted pan for Bundt cakes Heavy gauge aluminized steel Dishwasher safe Non-stick inner Lifetime limited warranty Cons Can be liable to leaking at the seam Non-stick inner can scratch and damage with use Cakes may stick even when greasing before baking Check Latest Price on Amazon 7. Nordic Ware Pro Cast Original Bundt Pan View on Amazon Highlighted Features Bronze colored 10 cup capacity Bundt pan in the same design as the first Bundt pan in the 1950s Made from cast aluminum for uniform heating and browning Has a non-stick lining which is free from PFOA for easier release and cleaning Made in the US, this Bundt pan comes with a ten year limited warranty
With a 12 cup capacity, the Nordic Ware pro cast original Bundt pan (bronze) is the first design produced by the manufacturer in the 1950s. Made from cast aluminum for even heating and browning, it has a PFOA free non-stick coating to assist cake release and cleaning.
This pan is made in the US and comes with a ten year limited warranty. Washing by hand is recommended. Like any type of Bundt pan, there can be a risk of sticking and Nordic Ware advise that this pan should be greased with a flour-based spray. As this is a darker colored pan, you may not find it as suitable for making lighter colored cakes. Pros Original Bundt pan design 12 cup capacity Made in the US Cast aluminum Non-stick inner free from PFOA 10 year warranty Cons
As a darker pan it may not be as suitable for lighter cakes Cakes can stick if not thoroughly greased Not suitable for cleaning in the dishwasher Check Latest Price on Amazon 8. Utopia Kitchen Round Baking Pan View on Amazon Highlighted Features Round tube pan with a 10 cup capacity Made from high carbon steel with a non-stick coating Has a shaped edge for easier handling
Suitable for tube cakes, Bundt cakes and other foods, the Utopia Kitchen round baking pan is made from high carbon steel with a non-stick coating for easier food release. With around a 10 cup capacity, the manufacturer recommends that you hand wash this pan for longer life.
The edge of the pan is shaped for you to grip it, although you may want to check this pan carefully on arrival as some owners have found that the edge can be a little sharp. Pros Round tube pan 10 cup capacity High carbon steel Non-stick coating Gripping edge Cons There may a sharp edge on the pan Not dishwasher safe Check Latest Price on Amazon 9. Wilton Recipe Right Non-Stick Fluted Tube Pan View on Amazon 10 cup capacity and 9.75" diameter tube pan for Bundt or tube cakes The design is a traditional fluting design Made from steel it has a non-stick surface and although you are recommended to hand wash, it is dishwasher safe. Comes with a five year limited warranty from the manufacturer
The Wilton Recipe Right non-stick fluted tube pan is ideal for making Bundt cakes or tube cakes, although unlike a traditional tube pan, its bottom is not removeable. Its diameter is 9.75" and its capacity is around 10 cups. Made from steel, it has a non-stick surface and although this pan is dishwasher safe, hand washing is advised.
The fluting in this pan may be shallower than similar pans, so if you are baking a Bundt cake it may not be as fluted as you would like Pros Non-stick tube pan Steel construction Traditional fluting design 10 cup capacity Five year warranty Cons Shallower fluting on the pan Although dishwasher safe, washing by hand is recommended Check Latest Price on Amazon 10. Anolon Advanced 9.5" Fluted Mold Pan View on Amazon Heavy gauge steel 9.5" mold pan Has a fluted design and rubberized handles for easy gripping Medium colored pan for lighter cakes and even browning Suitable for dishwasher cleaning, it also comes with a lifetime limited warranty
The Anolon Advanced 9.5" fluted mold pan is made of heavy gauge steel for uniform heat distribution and resistance to warping. It is also non-stick. This is a medium colored pan suitable for lighter cakes and it also comes with a wide rim and rubberized handles for safer gripping.
This is dishwasher safe and comes with a lifetime limited warranty. If you want to use this for making Bundt cakes it is worth noting that the fluting on this pan is shallower than similar pans, so your cake pattern will not be as pronounced. Pros 9.5" fluted mold pan Steel construction Non-stick Rubberized handles Lifetime limited warranty Cons Fluting is shallower than similar pans Like any similar pan it will usually need greasing before use Check Latest Price on Amazon Things to Consider Before Buying a Bundt Pan
As well as making Bundt cakes, a Bundt pan is ideal for tunnel cakes, marble cakes, gelled desserts, meatloaf, frittata, phyllo ring, timbale, monkey bread, bread or even a Thanksgiving stuffing ring! You can also put vegetables in the base of the pan and attach or impale a seasoned chicken to it so that as the chicken cooks and crisps its juices will flavor the vegetables.
A Bundt pan always has a chimney or center tube to leave a hole in the middle of the cake. This means that a Bundt cake is a toroidal shape, allowing more surface of the cake to be in contact with the heat during cooking - cooking faster and browning more evenly.
The sides of a Bundt pan are usually patterned with traditional grooves or flutes although today’s pans can often have highly elaborate patterns or even landscape designs.
The Bundt Cake
The Bundt cake is based on the Kugelhupf, a European cake, of which there are many variants. One such variant is the Gugelhupf, a brioche-like cake that was popular in a number of European Jewish communities. It is the shape of the Bundt cake, rather than its recipe which makes it what it is.
In Southwestern Germany, Gugelhupf is called Bundkuchen. There is no real agreement as to why the cake is called Bund, as there are a number of meanings of the word in different European languages. Recipes for Bund cakes were found in Jewish-American cookbooks at the start of the twentieth century.
Nordic Ware and the Birth of the Bundt Pan
Although Bundt cakes have been around for some time, the Bundt pan is relatively modern. In 1950, the owner of Minneapolis’ Nordic Ware, H. David Dalquist, cast an aluminum pan for a Jewish ladies’ group who wanted to bake a traditional Kugelhupf.
This pan contained ridges for easier cake cutting and Dalquist called this first pan a Bund pan which means ‘bond’ or ‘alliance’ in German. The name was later changed to Bundt. Whether this was done for trademarking purposes, or to distance the pan from a similarly named pro-Nazi group, no-one knew.
There was little demand for the Bundt pans during the 1950s and 60s, but everything changed when a Bundt cake came second in the annual Pillsbury Bake-Off. As a result of this, Nordic Ware had to increase their production to 30,000 Bundt pans per day.
Nordic Ware also published Bundt cookbooks which were tested out by H. David Dalquist’s wife in their home kitchen.
Difference Between a Bundt Pan and a Tube Pan
A ‘true’ tube pan, or angel food cake pan is slightly angled and smooth sided and its bottom is usually removeable to allow you to extract your cake with minimal damage. It also has a chimney or center tube.
This is where things get confusing. Because the Bundt pan is a tradename owned by Nordic Ware, it means other manufacturers cannot market pans for baking Bundt cakes under that name. They will therefore tend to call them tube pans, although these will be designed similarly to, and will look like a Bundt pan, complete with swirls, fluting or other patterns.
If you are making a Bundt cake, then a tube pan that looks like a Bundt pan i.e. patterned should be suitable to use. If, however you are making a recipe such as an angel food cake which calls for a tube pan, then you should be looking to use a smooth sided and loose bottomed tube or angel food cake pan.
So, in some cases there is a very clear difference between a Bundt pan and a tube pan, but in other cases, there is little difference between the pans except for the use of a tradename.
Choosing Metal, Glass or Silicone Bundt Pans
Aluminum is the most popular type of Bundt pan as it has excellent heat conductivity. Likewise, so does steel. Metal pans are also sturdy, but they can be more difficult to release cakes from. Lighter colored pans can help prevent some of the overbrowning which can occur when you use a darker colored pan.
A metal pan that is non-stick makes it easier to release the cake, but if your Bundt pan is older and the non-stick is scratched or wearing thin, then it is probably time to invest in a new one as even if your cakes are not yet sticking, they will do so soon.
Glass will not conduct heat as well as metal and its lack of any flexibility can make it more difficult to release your cake.
Although silicone Bundt pans offer good non-stick capabilities and easy cleaning, they are more unstable when using due to their flexibility. Silicone also acts more as a heat insulator than conductor which means cakes can take longer to fully bake while running the risk of the outside of the cake burning.
Pan Capacity
In terms of capacity, most pans tend to be 10 to 12 cup, and many recipes are written for this capacity. Smaller individual pans are available, as are the larger 15 cup pans. If you do use a larger or smaller pan, it is easy enough to scale the recipe up or down.
If you are not sure of the capacity of your pan, then use a measuring cup to fill it to the rim with water to get an accurate measure of its capacity. Remember you will not need to mix as much batter as this as a Bundt pan should usually only be around two thirds full for baking a light Bundt cake. If it is more than three quarters full it means more chance of batter overflowing as it rises. If you are making pound cakes or cakes that will not rise as much, you can fill the pan with more batter.
Greasing and Flouring a Bundt Pan
If you are one of the many of us who owns one or more Bundt pans, then you have probably also experienced the occasional Bundt cake disaster. Although there can be other reasons, such as the fragility of the cake, the pan is often the main culprit when disaster strikes. This means it is always worth taking the time to prepare the pan properly.
It is usually better to grease the Bundt pan just before you are ready to add the batter to it. If you grease when you turn the oven on there is more chance of the grease running down the sides and pooling in the bottom.
Melted shortening or a non-stick vegetable oil spray are the best things to grease a Bundt pan with, and you can use a pastry brush to make sure that the pan and its chimney are fully and evenly coated with grease.
Some manufacturers may advise against using a cooking spray as this can leave a residue over time which makes cleaning more difficult, and although butter is traditional for greasing, this can sometimes encourage batter to stick to the pan.
Some of us flour the pan, but this does not work for all, and the layer that flour can leave on the top of the cake may not always be suitable for the type of cake baked.
You can instead try coating with granulated sugar. Because this will stay as a semi-liquid when warm it means the cake can slide out easier. A finely ground nut flour will also create a barrier between the pan and the batter, or if you are making a rich chocolate Bundt cake, then an even coating of cocoa in the pan will add extra flavor to the cake.
The easiest way to flour or coat is to place your greased tin on a sheet of parchment and add the sugar, nut flour or cocoa. You want the coating to be fine and even, so to get this, turn the pan onto its side and slowly rotate it, tapping it against the counter as it rotates to move any excess coating. Rotate it in the opposite direction to make sure all parts of the pan are coated and by this point, the excess should have fallen out of the pan and on to the parchment.
Once you have added your batter, take the time to clean the edges of the pan with a damp towel as this removes any excess grease and batter to help stop residue forming on the edge of the pan. Place your Bundt tin on a sheet pan to catch any overflow and to prevent the tin from tipping or baking unevenly on the wire rack.
Releasing a Bundt Cake from its Pan
As a rule of thumb, when a Bundt cake is done, its internal temperature will have reached around 200°F.
When the cake comes out of the oven, slice away any excess that has risen over the chimney and/or edge of the pan. You can insert a table knife or thin silicone spatula between the cake and the pan and push it as far down as it can go to help to release a sticking cake. This can be more difficult to do if you are using a very ornate Bundt pan, and there can be some risk of damage to any non-stick coating. You can also use your fingers to gently push the cake away from the edges.
Then leave the cake to cool slightly before ejecting. Sometimes a Bundt cake will break because it is still too hot when coming out of the pan. Leaving the cake for five minutes or so the right way up and then another five minutes upside down on the rack can often be enough to gently release a stubborn or fragile cake. If it will still not release, try a few gentle side to side shakes or even return it to the cooling oven for five to ten minutes to see if it then releases the sticking spots.
Decorating a Bundt Cake
As icing can be difficult due to the shape of a Bundt cake, the easiest options for decorating once cold are to serve as is, drizzle glazing or sauce over the top, or just dust with some powdered sugar or cocoa.
Conclusion
In this article we have looked at a range of Bundt, tube and fluted pans that are ideal for making Bundt cakes and other treats. We have also looked at the differences between these types of pans and also some of the tried and tested methods for preventing your cake from sticking to a Bundt pan.
If you want to replace a worn-out Bundt pan, or are looking to try making your first Bundt cake, we trust that our reviews will help you to choose the best Bundt pan for your kitchen, whatever you fancy making in this understated, yet well-designed, item of cookware. #Tools #KitchenGadgets
