Name: Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles 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 + 2 tablespoons OR 3 cups all purpose white flour + 2 tablespoons cornstarch, whisked together; 1.5 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 cup 2% milk; 1/4 cup sprinkles (jimmies or quins work best); 1.5 cups powdered sugar; 1-2 tablespoons water; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

There’s something almost magical about the soft crumb studded with colorful sprinkles that makes the Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe the centerpiece of my holiday baking. It’s cheerful, simple, and somehow just perfect for gathering around with friends and family.

A round bundt cake sits on a wooden board placed on a white marbled surface. The cake is golden brown with soft ridges around it. It has a thick layer of white icing dripping smoothly down the sides. Small round red and green candy decorations are scattered evenly over the icing, adding bright pops of color. A red and white striped cloth is slightly visible in the upper left corner. 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 with Sprinkles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely adore this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe because it’s both classic and playful — those little bursts of color inside the cake just lift everyone’s mood. Plus, it’s straightforward to make even if you don’t bake often, which makes it my go-to for holiday celebrations.

Bright and Cheerful: The sprinkles not only make it pretty but add a delightful surprise in every bite.
Moist and Tender Texture: Thanks to the oil and cake flour combo, the cake stays perfectly soft and fresh for days.
Easy to Make: Minimal ingredients and simple steps mean you can whip it up even last-minute.
Great for Gifting: Wrapped up nicely, this cake feels like a heartfelt homemade present that everyone will appreciate.

A bundt cake with a smooth brown texture sits on a wooden board, with thick white icing being poured over it from above, flowing down the sides in smooth, glossy layers that pool slightly at the bottom edges. In the background, there is a red and white striped cloth and blurred warm lights with a hint of green foliage, all set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This cake’s ingredients all play a key role in either texture, flavor, or look. I always recommend using fresh ingredients and measuring carefully — little details like these make a huge difference in your result.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of vegetable oil, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated white sugar, four brown eggs with clean uncracked shells, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of cake flour, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, a small white ceramic bowl of 2% milk, a small white ceramic bowl filled with colorful 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 without the heaviness of butter, making it tender and light.
Granulated White Sugar: Classic sweetness that melts nicely into the batter for even flavor.
Large Eggs: Provide structure and richness; make sure they're at room temperature for best mixing.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth; I love using pure vanilla for the best aroma.
Cake Flour: The secret to that soft crumb; if you don’t have it, the cornstarch substitute works beautifully.
Baking Powder: Gives the cake lift and fluffiness without a bitter taste.
Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances all flavors perfectly.
Milk (2%): Adds moisture and richness; room temperature is best for smooth batter.
Sprinkles: Choose jimmies or quins—they hold up well without bleeding color into the batter.
Powdered Sugar (for icing): Creates that sweet, smooth glaze that ties the whole cake together.
Water (for icing): Controls the consistency so you can drizzle or pour the glaze as you like.

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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 how flexible this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe is — it’s like a blank holiday canvas you can personalize easily. Over the years, I’ve played around with different sprinkles and glazes to keep it fresh and exciting.

Variation: Once, I swapped half the vanilla extract for some almond extract, which gave a subtle nutty twist that guests really enjoyed. Feel free to experiment—they won’t taste exactly the same, but that’s part of the fun!

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

Step 1: Prep Your Bundt Pan Like a Pro

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Next, spray your 10-inch bundt pan generously with non-stick spray and lightly dust it with flour. This little step is a game changer—it helps the cake release perfectly without any tricky sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until everything is blended and smooth. I find using a whisk by hand gives you great control so you don’t overmix later on.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, mix together your cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking these well upfront helps your cake rise evenly and keeps it light.

Step 4: Build Your Batter in Stages

Add half of the dry mixture into the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Then pour in the milk and stir again until smooth. Finally, add the rest of the dry ingredients along with the sprinkles and fold them gently — avoid overmixing to keep your crumb tender.

Step 5: Bake and Cool with Care

Pour the batter into your prepared bundt pan and bake for 50-55 minutes. The key is to test with a toothpick starting at 50 minutes — you want it to come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter. Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a cooling rack.

Step 6: Whip Up the Simple Icing

While the cake cools, whisk together powdered sugar, water, and vanilla until smooth for your glaze. Add water a little at a time — the consistency should be pourable but not too runny. Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle or pour the icing over the top.

Step 7: Final Touch: Sprinkle More Sprinkles

Because why not? Adding a few more sprinkles on top right after icing sets gives it that festive, joyful look that makes everyone smile.

Top Tip

Through baking this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe multiple times, I've learned a few tricks that really make a difference. These tips have saved me from common pitfalls and let my cake come out looking and tasting its best every single time.

Don’t Skip the Flour Dusting: I once forgot to flour my pan after spraying and ended up with bits of cake stuck to the pan. Flour helps the surface release smoothly.
Sprinkles Matter: Use jimmies or quins because they hold their color and shape during baking, unlike some sugar crystals that melt and bleed.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Mixing cold eggs or milk can cause your batter to seize or bake unevenly, so I always make sure to let these come to room temp first.
Test Your Cake Early: I start checking the cake a few minutes before the suggested time because all ovens behave differently. This helps prevent overbaking and dry edges.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe

Festive Christmas Bundt Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with extra sprinkles over the glaze for that instant festive look. Sometimes I dust a little powdered sugar if I want a snowy effect. Fresh cranberries or small holly leaves can also add an elegant, seasonal touch.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot spiced tea or rich coffee. During holiday brunches, I’ve served it alongside whipped cream and fresh berries for a balanced, colorful plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For Christmas gatherings, I like to place the bundt cake on a decorative platter surrounded by pine sprigs and fairy lights to amp up the festive ambiance. You could also slice it and serve in pretty paper cupcake liners for easy grab-and-go treats at parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cake tightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container on the counter. It stays moist and fresh for up to 5 days, which means there’s usually no leftovers to worry about!

Freezing

To freeze, I wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil before placing it in a freezer bag. This method stops freezer burn and keeps the cake tasting fresh for up to a month. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

If you want to warm a slice, I pop it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. It revives the softness without drying it out — perfect when you want freshly-baked vibes any day of the week.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute cake flour with all-purpose flour?

Yes! For the soft texture, mix 3 cups of all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and sift it before using. This mimics cake flour and keeps the cake tender.

What type of sprinkles work best?

Jimmies or quins are my go-to for this recipe because they hold up well without bleeding their color into the cake batter during baking.

How should I store leftover Bundt cake?

Store it at room temperature, covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 5 days to keep it moist and fresh.

Can I make the icing ahead?

Absolutely! The icing comes together quickly and can be made a day in advance. Just store it covered in the fridge and whisk again briefly before drizzling over your cooled cake.

Final Thoughts

I always look forward to making this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe during the holiday season because it brings such warmth and joy to the table. It’s easy to make, bright with sprinkles, and tastes comforting — sort of like the edible equivalent of a holiday hug. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be reaching for this recipe year after year to share with the people you love.