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 milk (2%); ¼ cup sprinkles (jimmies or quins work best); 1 ½ cups powdered sugar; 1-2 tablespoon water; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Nothing says holiday cheer quite like a bright and cheerful cake, and this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe really brings the joy. It’s got that beautiful bundt shape, a tender crumb, and colorful sprinkles hiding inside—making every slice feel like a celebration.

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 feel like this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe is pure magic wrapped in a cake pan. It’s the perfect blend of classic flavors with a fun, colorful twist that makes your holidays even sweeter. Plus, it’s surprisingly simple to make—and who doesn’t love a fuss-free festive treat?

Easy to bake: The batter comes together quickly, even if baking bundt cakes feels intimidating at first.
Fun surprise inside: Those little sprinkles swirl through the cake for a festive pop in every bite.
Versatile icing: You can keep it simple with a classic glaze or dress it up with extra decorations.
Great for sharing: Cuts into beautiful slices that are perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting.

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 recipe uses a well-balanced mix to keep the cake moist and tender, with a lovely crumb that’s just right—not too dense or too airy. The sprinkles add that festive flair without sinking, and the icing brings it all together with a smooth sweetness.

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 and tender without a heavy texture.
Granulated white sugar: Sweetens the batter perfectly and helps with browning.
Eggs: Give structure and richness; room temperature eggs blend in better.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the cake flavor; real vanilla is always best.
Cake flour (or all-purpose + cornstarch): Cake flour ensures a soft crumb; cornstarch helps mimic that if you don’t have cake flour.
Baking powder: Provides lift for a nice rise without heaviness.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness.
Milk (2% preferred): Adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb without making the batter too dense.
Sprinkles (jimmies or quins): Adds bursts of color and a fun texture; avoid mini or non-edible glitter sprinkles to keep eating safe.
Powdered sugar (for icing): Makes a silky smooth glaze that hardens just right.
Water (for icing): Adjust to get the perfect glaze consistency—thick but pourable.

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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 tweaking this recipe depending on the year, my mood, or the crowd. Whether you want to sneak in some extra holiday spices or swap sprinkles for mini chocolate chips, this cake welcomes your personal touches.

Spiced up version: I sometimes add a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to give a warm cozy note that pairs beautifully with the sprinkles.
Dairy-free substitution: You can easily swap milk for almond or oat milk and use a dairy-free yogurt instead of oil for different texture.
Gluten-free adaptation: Using a gluten-free flour blend works well—as long as it’s light—to keep the cake tender.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Pan & Oven

First things first, get your oven heated to 350°F and generously spray your 10-inch bundt pan with non-stick spray, then dust it lightly with flour. This little step is a game-changer—I’ve learned the hard way that a well-prepped pan prevents sticking and keeps the cake’s lovely shape intact.

Step 2: Whisk Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until everything’s well combined and slightly fluffy. I like to use room temperature eggs here because it helps the batter come together smoother and makes for a more even crumb texture.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. If you don’t have cake flour, the trick is to combine all-purpose flour with cornstarch—the cornstarch keeps it nice and tender, just like cake flour would.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients

Add half the dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring gently until combined, then pour in the milk and mix again. Follow by folding in the rest of the flour mixture and those festive sprinkles—just a quick fold here to avoid overmixing, which keeps the cake delightfully tender.

Step 5: Bake with Care

Pour your batter into the bundt pan and bake for about 50-55 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. I always start checking at 50 minutes just to be safe—ovens can be sneaky! Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes before inverting it onto a rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Whip Up That Lovely Icing

While your cake cools, whisk the powdered sugar with vanilla extract and 1-2 tablespoons of water until you have a smooth glaze. You want it thick enough to drizzle slowly over the cake without running off completely—feel free to adjust water little by little.

Step 7: Decorate & Enjoy!

Once the cake is fully cooled, pour your icing over it and scatter a few extra sprinkles on top for that extra festive sparkle. Then step back, admire your masterpiece, and get ready to slice into a delightfully festive treat.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe multiple times, a few little tricks really help you nail it every single time without stress.

Proper pan prep: Make sure you spray and flour your bundt pan well to avoid crumbled or stuck cake slices.
Gentle mixing: Overmixing batter can make the cake dense—fold your sprinkles in gently at the end.
Room temperature ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and milk gives a smoother batter and a more consistent bake.
Check doneness early: Start checking the cake at 50 minutes with a toothpick to prevent overbaking and dryness.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe

Festive Christmas Bundt Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a drizzle of vanilla glaze and extra vibrant sprinkles on top—something about those joyful colors brightens the whole room! Sometimes I add a dusting of powdered sugar or a few fresh cranberries for a natural pop.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with a cup of hot cocoa or spiced chai tea. If you want to turn it into more of a brunch feature, try serving alongside fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday gathering, I like placing the cake on a festive cake stand surrounded by pine sprigs, cinnamon sticks, and pinecones. Sometimes I even wrap a big red ribbon around the bundt—makes it look like a special holiday gift!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers covered tightly at room temperature for up to 5 days. This keeps the cake moist and the sprinkles vibrant. Just be sure to tuck it away from any strong-smelling foods, as it picks up scents easily.

Freezing

This Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe freezes really well. I wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then a layer of foil before popping it into a freezer bag. When thawed overnight in the fridge, it tastes nearly as fresh as day one.

Reheating

While this cake is best served at room temperature, if you prefer it warmer, I gently microwave individual slices for about 10-15 seconds. It brings out that fresh-baked feel without drying it out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use gluten-free flour for this cake?

Absolutely! Just swap the cake flour with a good quality gluten-free all-purpose blend. To maintain tenderness, you might need to adjust liquid slightly—start with the recipe as is and add a tablespoon of milk if the batter feels too thick.

What type of sprinkles work best?

Jimmies or quins (the small, thick sprinkles) work best because they hold their shape and color during baking. Avoid sugar crystals or non-edible glitter, as they can melt or be unsafe to eat.

Can I make this cake dairy-free?

Yes! Replace the milk with your favorite plant-based milk like almond or oat milk and ensure the vanilla extract doesn’t contain dairy. The vegetable oil remains the same, keeping the cake moist and tender.

How should I store the icing if not using immediately?

If you’re not ready to ice the cake right away, store the glaze in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Stir well before using, and add a drop or two of water if it thickened too much.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s the kind of homemade joy that brings smiles at every holiday party. I love sharing it with friends and family, knowing it’s as fun to make as it is to eat. I hope when you try it, you’ll feel that same warmth and festive spirit in every bite.