For some reason, bundt cakes have gained a bad rep over the years, dismissed as being boring or simply fancy-shaped pound cakes. We’re not sure if that’s better or worse than being mistaken for the less-healthy cousin of angel food. One thing’s for sure: it doesn’t have to be this way. These 18 beautiful cakes are packed with anything-but-basic flavors, making each a welcome sight at dessert. If you ever needed an excuse to order yourself an intricate cake pan or perhaps dust off the one tucked away on a high shelf in your pantry, this collection is packed with a whole bunch of great ones.
1. Chocolate Lovers’ Dream Cake: Chocolate-chip-studded boxed cake gets dolled up with chocolate sauce, caramel, toffee, more chocolate and a full-sized Snickers bar to make a cake worthy of a celebration. Did we mention there’s chocolate in this? (via Culinary Covers)
2. Turtle Flan Bundt Cake: Like magic, the flan and cake layers in this bundt trade places in the oven. And that’s not even the best part. It’s the outstanding combo of flavors that take the cake here. (via Simmer and Shoot)
3. Ricotta Bundt Cake With Almond Drizzle: The key to this moist, but not wet, cake is a generous helping of ricotta stirred right in. (via Amy’s Healthy Baking)
4. Hazelnut-Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake: The bulk of this delicious, low-carb cake happens to be hazelnut meal. Don’t worry, the nuttiness doesn’t stop there — hazelnut oil and extract also join in on the fun. (via All Day I Dream About Food)
5. Beetroot Cake Loaded With Chocolate: Grated beets add a lovely, earthy flavor to this cake. The ruby-hued roots work quite well with the rich dark chocolate and whole grain oats. (via A Tasty Love Story)
6. Meyer Lemon and Cranberry Bundt Cake: Meyer lemons, with their lovely floral and orange-y scent, are the star of this cranberry cake. If you can’t find ’em (they’re usually only available during the winter) regular lemons will do in a pinch. Your creation will be just as fab. (via 10th Kitchen)
7. Banana Bundt Cake With Chocolate Ganache: Overripe bananas are just as great in cake as they are in a loaf of quick bread. Of course, a drizzle of ganache never hurt anything… (via My Baking Addiction)
8. Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake: A sprinkle of marshmallows on top alludes to the “secret” ingredient featured in this recipe. A duo of cocoa powder and powdered hot chocolate mix team up to make one bodacious bundt. (via Cookies and Cups)
9. Whole Wheat Chocolate Cake With Cashew Cream + Figs: Bittersweet chocolate and cocoa do a brilliant job disguising the telltale color of whole wheat flour in this sexy, fig-crowned bundt. The maple- and date-sweetened cashew-cream frosting sounds positively swoon-worthy, to boot. (via Tartlet Sweets)
10. Cinnamon Roll Cake: Now this might be the ultimate breakfast cake. Homemade, yeast-free cinnamon buns are sliced and layered into a bundt pan for a treat that’s a cross between monkey bread and, well, cake. (via Bakers Royale)
11. Whipped Cream Cake: Fluffy mounds of whipped cream are folded into the batter with care to create an unbelievably light, tender cake. Would it be wrong to top this off with more whipped cream? (via Kirbie Cravings)
12. Samoa Bundt Cake A favorite Girl Scout cookie is reimagined into a full-sized chocolate-coconut-caramel cake. What’s not to love about that? (via Betsy Life)
13. Ancho-Glazed Candy Dump Cake: If you can handle the heat of a chili-spiked glaze, then this totally unique take on a dump cake is for you. Plus, it’s a great way to use up the last of that leftover holiday candy. (via Scarletta Bakes)
14. Zebra Bundt Cake: Is anyone else just wild about this cake? To create the gorgeous striped effect, a little more effort than your usual marble cake is required. Trust that it’s totally worth it. (via Bakers Royale)
15. Vanilla Bean Milk Bundt Cake: Only one bowl and a single whisk are required to create this anything-but-ordinary vanilla bean bundt. (via Tartlet Sweets)
16. Mango Sauce Cake: You’ll love the bright color and tropical flavors that coconut cream and mango sauce give this cake. It’s a welcome deviation from the usual applesauce substitute. (via Lady and Pups)
17. Twinkie Bundt Cake: Sure, our fave cream-filled sponge cake snacks may be back on the shelves, but that doesn’t mean a little DIY action isn’t in order from time to time. Case in point: this jaw-dropping giant Twinkie. You’ll definitely want to make sure everyone’s watching as you remove the first slice. (via Leite’s Culinaria)
18. Zucchini Cake With Lemon-Cream Cheese Icing: A thick ribbon of lemon-cream-cheese icing takes zucchini bread to places it’s never been before. Even the pickiest eaters will be clamoring for a slice. (via Kid Cultivation)
Now the moment of truth. Which of these recipes has tempted you to dust off the old bundt pan, or perhaps add one to your shopping cart? Let us know in the comments below!
