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 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 truly magical about this cake—the soft vanilla crumb, the festive pops of colorful sprinkles, and that simple glaze drizzled on top. This Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe is my go-to when I want a cheerful, crowd-pleasing dessert that feels special yet is surprisingly easy to pull off.

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’ve made this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe for several holidays now, and it never fails to brighten the room. It’s a wonderful mix of nostalgic charm and bright festive vibes that’s great for celebrations big or small.

Easy to make: It comes together quickly with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Perfect texture: Moist, tender crumb that’s just right thanks to the combination of cake flour and a little extra care.
Festive and fun: Those sprinkles baked inside give each slice a surprise pop of color and joy.
Customizable glaze: You can adjust the icing for sweetness and consistency, keeping it light or more decadent depending on your mood.

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

Each ingredient in this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe plays a key role in creating that perfect holiday crumb and crumbly surface. Here’s why these familiar pantry staples deserve their spotlight—and some tips on shopping smart.

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: It keeps the cake moist without making it heavy; perfect for that tender crumb we’re after.
Granulated white sugar: Sweetens evenly and helps with the light texture.
Large eggs: Bind everything together and add richness—make sure to use room temperature eggs for better mix.
Vanilla extract: Classic flavor booster; I like to use pure vanilla to make the aroma really shine.
Cake flour: This is the secret to that soft, delicate texture. If you don’t have cake flour, mixing all-purpose flour with cornstarch is a great sub.
Baking powder: Helps the cake rise beautifully so it’s not dense.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor complexity.
Milk (2%): Adds moisture and a touch of creaminess without being too heavy.
Sprinkles (jimmies or quins): Not just for looks—they add fun bursts of color and sweetness baked right into the batter.
Powdered sugar (for icing): Creates that smooth, sweet glaze that ties the whole cake together.
Water: Used sparingly to get the icing consistency just right.

📝

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

One of the things I love most about this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you want to tweak flavors or adjust the festive theme, it’s super flexible—making it feel like your own special tradition.

Variation: I sometimes add a teaspoon of almond extract instead of vanilla for a lovely nutty twist—your guests will notice and ask for the secret!
Dietary Modifications: You can swap out the milk for almond or oat milk to make it dairy-free without losing moisture.
Sprinkles Swap: If you want a less sweet surprise, try chopped nuts or dried fruit instead of sprinkles.
Glaze Options: Experiment with a cream cheese glaze for a richer finish or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar if you prefer less sweetness.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Before you even start mixing, preheat your oven to 350°F. Give your 10” bundt pan a good coating of non-stick spray, then lightly dust with flour. This step is crucial to ensure your cake unmolds easily with all the nooks and crannies beautifully intact. Trust me—if you skip this, you might end up frustrated scraping bits from the pan.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and well combined. This is where the batter starts coming together beautifully—scrape down the sides occasionally so no sugar lumps sneak in.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk your cake flour, baking powder, and salt together thoroughly. This keeps the leavening evenly distributed so your cake rises perfectly. If you’re using all-purpose and cornstarch instead of cake flour, make sure to whisk them well to mimic that fine texture.

Step 4: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk

Add half of your dry ingredients to the wet mixture first, stirring gently but fully incorporated. Then pour in the milk and stir until combined. Finally, add the remaining dry ingredients along with your sprinkles and stir just until everything is blended—overmixing can toughen the cake, so stop as soon as you see no more streaks.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Pour the batter into your prepared bundt pan and pop it into the oven. Bake for 50-55 minutes, but start checking around 50 minutes with a toothpick—it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. When done, let the cake cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before turning it out onto a rack to cool completely. This step is important to prevent the cake from sticking or breaking.

Step 6: Make the Icing and Decorate

While the cake cools, whisk together powdered sugar, water, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable—but not too thin. Once your cake is fully cooled, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top. I love adding extra sprinkles right after for that festive flair and crunch.

Top Tip

From baking this cake numerous times, I’ve learned a few tricks that help turn out a flawless Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe every time. These little details make all the difference—saving you time and worry!

Proper Pan Prep: Don’t skimp on spraying and flouring your bundt pan; it’s your best defense against stuck cake edges.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Always bring eggs and milk to room temp to blend easily and ensure a smooth batter.
Don’t Overmix Batter: Gently folding the sprinkles in last prevents them from bleeding colors too much and keeps the crumb tender.
Check Early for Doneness: Since ovens vary, start testing with a toothpick at 50 minutes to avoid drying out the cake.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe

Festive Christmas Bundt Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I keep it simple with more colorful sprinkles on top of the glaze—they add cheer and texture without overpowering the cake’s delicate flavor. Sometimes, I grate a bit of white chocolate over it for extra festivity and mild sweetness.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with hot drinks like spiced cider, coffee, or a bold black tea. For a holiday brunch spread, it’s lovely alongside fresh fruit salad and whipped cream to keep things light and festive.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like setting the bundt cake on a pretty cake stand surrounded by mini ornaments or pine sprigs. You can even pipe a little whipped cream around the base and scatter edible gold dust or glitter for that extra wow factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh this way for up to 5 days—perfect if you want to bake it early before holiday guests arrive.

Freezing

If you want to make this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe in advance, you can freeze it well wrapped in plastic wrap and foil inside a freezer bag. It keeps great for about a month and thawing overnight in the fridge gives you a fresh-tasting cake anytime.

Reheating

Reheat slices gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if you want that just-baked warm feeling. If you prefer, pop them in a low oven (around 300°F) wrapped in foil for 10 minutes. Avoid reheating the whole cake for too long or it may dry out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Yes! Combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and whisk them together. This mix mimics cake flour and keeps the cake light and tender.

How do I prevent the sprinkles from bleeding color into the batter?

Adding the sprinkles last and gently folding them into the batter helps prevent color bleeding. Using jimmies or quins also reduces the chance of colors running compared to coated sugar confetti sprinkles.

Can I make the icing ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the icing up to a day in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. If it thickens, just whisk in a little water before drizzling it over the cake for smooth coverage.

How long does this cake stay fresh?

Stored covered at room temperature, this bundt cake stays fresh for up to 5 days. Beyond that, freezing is your best bet to maintain its moisture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe holds a special place in my holiday kitchen. It brings back memories of joyful baking sessions with friends and family and never fails to brighten dessert tables. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it helps you spread the festive cheer one slice at a time!