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 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

Nothing says holiday joy quite like a slice of cake that’s as cheerful to look at as it is delicious to eat. This Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe is a showstopper— bursting with colorful sprinkles inside and out, it brings that feel-good nostalgia and festive sparkle to your holiday table.

A round bundt cake with a light golden brown color sits on a wooden board, showing its smooth texture and curved ridges. The cake is covered in a thick layer of white icing that drips down the sides in uneven streams. Small red and green round sprinkles are scattered evenly on top of the icing, adding a festive look. In the background, there is a red and white striped cloth partially visible, and the whole scene is set on a white marbled surface. 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 more times than I can count during the holiday season. It’s not just the beautiful look—it’s that soft, tender crumb dotted with sprinkles that always gets the oohs and aahs. Plus, it’s super straightforward, which means less stress and more joy for you!

Classic Holiday Cheer: The sprinkles give that playful, festive vibe perfect for Christmas parties or cozy family gatherings.
Moist & Tender Texture: Thanks to oil and the right flour combo, this cake stays moist for days (if it lasts that long!).
Easy to Make: No fancy techniques—just simple mixing and baking that even beginner bakers will enjoy.
Customizable Glaze: The vanilla icing is quick to whip, and you can sprinkle extra sprinkles on top for that extra sparkle.

A light brown bundt cake with a smooth texture sits on a wooden board. Thick white icing is being poured over the top, slowly flowing down the sides in thick streams and pooling slightly at the base. In the background, there is a blurred red and white striped cloth and out-of-focus warm string lights. The scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This cake is a harmony of classic baking ingredients with a sprinkle twist. Each piece works together to create that perfect balance between a soft crumb and a hint of festive fun. Let me walk you through why I love these ingredients and a few tips to get the best from them.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden vegetable oil, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated white sugar, four whole uncracked brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with white all-purpose flour mixed with cornstarch, a small white ceramic bowl of white baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white salt, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy 2% milk, a small white ceramic bowl filled with colorful round jimmies 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 incredibly moist and tender — using oil instead of butter is key here.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens evenly and helps with the cake’s light texture.
Large Eggs: Provide structure and richness; make sure they’re at room temp for best mixing.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warm flavor — I sometimes switch to clear vanilla if I want a whiter icing.
Cake Flour + Additional Flour OR Substitute: Cake flour keeps it delicate, but if you don’t have any, I’ve got a handy cornstarch + all-purpose trick below.
Baking Powder: Gives that lift and bounce the bundt needs.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Milk (2% recommended): Adds moisture and richness — room temp again helps with smooth batter.
Sprinkles (Jimmies or Quins): The star ingredient! I find these hold their shape best in the batter and bake without melting into a mess.
Powdered Sugar (for icing): Creates a smooth, gently sweet glaze that perfectly crowns the cake.
Water (for icing): Just enough to thin the icing to drizzle consistency.

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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

Part of the fun of baking this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe is making it your own. I love adding a little twist here and there to suit my mood or guests, and you’ll find your favorite variations too.

Variation: One year, I swapped half the oil for melted butter to add richness — it was heavenly but a bit denser, so perfect if you want a buttery crumb.
Dietary: For a dairy-free version, use your favorite plant milk in place of regular milk – I tried almond milk, and it worked beautifully.
Sprinkle Mix: Feel free to experiment with festive color combos or edible glitter sprinkles for extra sparkle.
Glaze Flavors: Try adding lemon zest or almond extract to the icing to surprise your taste buds.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F. Give your bundt pan a good spray with non-stick spray, then dust it lightly with flour. This combo ensures the cake comes out clean without a hitch. Also, remember to bring your eggs and milk to room temperature before starting — it helps the batter come together smoothly.

Step 2: Whisk Together Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until everything’s nicely combined and the texture is smooth. This step is quick but important for even sweetness and structure.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, sift or whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. Doing this separately helps you evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt, so your cake rises perfectly.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients Gradually

Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until combined — no overmixing here! Then pour in the milk, mixing again gently. Finally, add the remaining dry ingredients and the sprinkles, folding everything together just until the batter is uniform.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Pour your batter into the prepared bundt pan and smooth the top lightly. Pop it in the oven and bake for about 50-55 minutes. To know it’s done, insert a toothpick into the center — it should come out clean or with a few dry crumbs. Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully flipping it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Whip Up the Vanilla Icing

While the cake cools, whisk powdered sugar, water, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth. Adjust water, a drop at a time, for a pourable but thick glaze—perfect for drizzling over your cake.

Step 7: Decorate and Enjoy

Pour the vanilla icing over your cooled cake, letting it dribble down the sides. Sprinkle some extra festive sprinkles on top to really bring the holiday magic. Now step back and admire your masterpiece before digging in!

Top Tip

From my years of holiday baking, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe truly shine and turn out consistently perfect every time.

Don’t Overmix: When adding flour, stir just until incorporated; overmixing develops gluten and can toughen the cake.
Sprinkle Stability: Use jimmies or quins instead of flat confetti sprinkles — they hold up better during baking without bleeding colors.
Proper Cooling: Give your cake at least 5-10 minutes in the pan after baking before flipping — this prevents it from breaking apart.
Glaze Consistency: If your icing is too runny, add more powdered sugar gradually; if too thick, thin with a bit more water. This balance is key to a pretty drizzle.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe

Christmas Bundt Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish my bundt cake with a handful of fresh sprinkles on top because they add that joyful color pop. For an extra touch, sometimes I scatter some powdered sugar around the serving plate or add a sprig of fresh rosemary or holly nearby for a festive look.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or a spiced tea. If you want to get fancy, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream dressed with cinnamon enhances the experience beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday party, I like to place the bundt cake on a festive cake stand surrounded by small ornaments or Christmas greenery. You can even drizzle colorful icing stripes in red and green or use edible gold stars for a luxurious twist. Personalized gift tags next to each slice make it feel extra special if you’re sharing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always keep leftover bundt cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature. If your kitchen is cool and dry, it stays fresh for up to 5 days—perfect for sneaking an extra slice with your morning coffee.

Freezing

Freezing this cake works great if you want to bake ahead. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and then foil, placing it in a freezer-safe bag. It keeps beautifully for about a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

Reheating

To refresh slices, I warm them gently in the microwave for about 15 seconds or pop them in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. This brings back that soft texture and just-baked warmth.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! If you don’t have cake flour, mix 3 cups of all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and whisk it together. This mimics the lighter texture of cake flour and works beautifully in this recipe.

What’s the best type of sprinkles to use in the batter?

I recommend jimmies or quins because they maintain their shape and don’t bleed their colors while baking, giving you those cheerful little dots of color inside your cake.

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

Spraying the bundt pan generously with a non-stick spray followed by a light dusting of flour makes a big difference to releasing the cake easily. Be sure to invert and cool the cake carefully after baking to avoid breaks.

Can I make the icing ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the icing a few hours ahead and keep it covered at room temperature. Give it a quick whisk before drizzling over the cake if it separates.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Bundt Cake with Sprinkles Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s become my go-to for sharing holiday cheer with friends and family. It’s simple to make, looks stunning, and tastes like a happy holiday hug. I can’t wait for you to try it and see how it brightens your festive gatherings just like it has mine. Happy baking and happy holidays!