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 tablespoon water; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

There’s something wonderfully joyful about a colorful, soft cake that fills the kitchen with warm aromas—this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe does just that. It’s bright, inviting, and so easy to make, perfect for sharing with friends and family during the holidays.

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 remember the first time I made this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe – the vibrant sprinkles hiding inside and on top gave my holiday table a fun yet elegant pop! It’s a recipe that feels festive without fuss, and that’s what makes it a keeper.

Perfectly moist texture: The oil-based batter keeps the cake tender and soft for days.
Fun, festive look: Sprinkles inside and out add cheer without being overwhelming.
Simple ingredients: No complicated mix-ins, just pantry staples you likely already have.
Easy icing: A quick glaze that ties the cake together with vanilla sweetness.

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 delivering a moist, tender crumb with that delightful holiday sparkle. I always recommend using room temperature eggs and milk for the best blend, and using cake flour (or the substitute I mention) really helps keep it light.

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 far better than butter in this recipe.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens without making the batter heavy or dense.
Large eggs: Provide structure and richness; I always use room temp eggs for even mixing.
Vanilla extract: The flavor base—it makes the cake taste homemade and comforting.
Cake flour (or flour + cornstarch): Creates a delicate crumb and light texture.
Baking powder: Essential for rising and that gorgeous bundt shape.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Milk (2% works great): Adds moisture and helps blend the dry ingredients smoothly.
Sprinkles: The star of the show—adds those festive, colorful bursts throughout the cake.
Powdered sugar (for icing): Creates the sweet, smooth glaze that lets the sprinkles shine on top.
Water (for icing): Adjusts the glaze consistency perfectly.

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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 making this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe my own by playing with the sprinkle types or switching up the glaze. Don’t be shy about adding a touch of cinnamon or swapping milk for buttermilk to add a little tang.

Variation: One holiday, I swapped traditional jimmies for peppermint bark sprinkles—talk about a festive surprise that made everyone smile!
Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free version, try almond milk instead of regular milk—I’ve done this with great results.
Seasonal spin: You can easily swap vanilla glaze for a cream cheese glaze for a richer touch.

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

Step 1: Prep your pan and ingredients

I start by preheating my oven to 350°F and giving my 10-inch bundt pan a good spray and dusting it lightly with flour. This step saved me from disaster countless times—bundt cakes love to stick if you skip this. Having all ingredients at room temperature really helps mix everything smoothly.

Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients

In a large bowl, I whisk together the vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until it’s all combined nicely. I like to use a whisk here because it gets just the right amount of air in to keep the cake light.

Step 3: Combine dry ingredients and add in stages

While the wet mix rests for a moment, I sift or whisk my flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. I then add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until combined, so the batter doesn’t get tough. Next, I pour in the milk and mix again until smooth.

Step 4: Fold in sprinkles and remaining dry mix

Once the batter is silky, I gently fold in the rest of the dry flour mixture along with the sprinkles. It’s important to fold just until you can no longer see the flour; overmixing can dull the sprinkles and create a denser cake.

Step 5: Bake and cool

I pour the batter into my prepared bundt pan, smoothing the top, and bake it for about 50-55 minutes—or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. When it comes out, I let it cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. This way, it keeps its shape and doesn’t break apart.

Step 6: Whisk the icing and decorate

While the cake cools, I mix powdered sugar, vanilla, and water to create a smooth icing—adding water little by little to get that perfect pourable consistency. Once the cake is cool, I drizzle the glaze over the top and sprinkle even more festive sprinkles for that extra pop. Seeing those colorful bits on the white icing always makes me smile.

Top Tip

Making this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe taught me that small details really make a difference. Here are some tips I picked up along the way to help you get it just right.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temp eggs and milk means less curdling and smoother batter.
Flour Measuring: Spoon your flour into the measuring cup and level it off instead of scooping directly to avoid dense cake.
Gentle Folding: Add sprinkles at the end and fold gently to avoid their colors bleeding into the batter.
Non-Stick Prep: Never skip thoroughly spraying and flouring your bundt pan, it’s a game-changer for getting a perfect release.

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 on top for that jolly look, but a light dusting of powdered sugar can also work beautifully. For a little extra flair, you could toss some edible glitter or holiday-themed sugar shapes on the glaze.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a steaming cup of spiced tea or coffee. For a festive brunch, I like serving it alongside fresh fruit salad or whipped cream for a delightful holiday spread.

Creative Ways to Present

I love placing the bundt cake on a twinkling cake stand surrounded by pine branches and ornaments during Christmas parties. Wrapping a festive ribbon loosely around the base adds an extra charm that's perfect for gifting too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can keep this cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. I’ve found that storing it away from direct sunlight keeps the colors bright and the cake moist without drying out.

Freezing

Want to make this ahead? Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil and freeze for up to one month. When it’s time, thaw overnight in the fridge, then bring to room temperature before glazing.

Reheating

If you want a warm slice, you can microwave individual pieces for about 10-15 seconds. Just be careful not to overdo it or the cake can dry out quickly. I prefer warm cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Yes! To substitute cake flour, mix 3 cups of all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch then whisk well. This replicates the lightness of cake flour, which helps keep the texture tender.

What type of sprinkles work best in this recipe?

I recommend using jimmies or tiny confetti (quins) sprinkles—they hold up well in the batter and don’t bleed colors as much as candy-coated varieties. This keeps the cake looking neat and festive.

How do I prevent the bundt cake from sticking to the pan?

Spray your bundt pan generously with non-stick spray and then dust it lightly with flour, tapping out any excess. This double layer of protection makes unmolding much easier, so don’t skip this step.

Can I make this cake a day ahead?

Absolutely! The cake actually tastes better after a day when the flavors have had time to meld. Store it covered at room temperature or in the fridge, then add the glaze just before serving for the freshest finish.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe is one of those desserts that always brings a smile and a little celebration to my kitchen. It’s easy enough for weeknight baking but special enough for holiday gatherings. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll become one of your go-to festive favorites too. Grab your sprinkles and give it a whirl!