Bundt cakes are one of the easiest ways to make dessert for a crowd, since even the simplest pan turns out cakes that look elegant with just a dusting of powdered sugar. November 15 is National Bundt Cake Day, so why not celebrate by baking a cake in one of these five favorite bundt pans?
Nordic Ware is the name we trust when it comes to bundt pans; they are sturdy, conduct heat evenly, and release cakes easily and cleanly. They also come in a variety of attractive designs — here are a few of our favorites.
• Heritage Bundt Pan, $34.95 at Williams-Sonoma: Inspired by the classic German kugelhopf mold, this heavy-duty nonstick pan unmolds cakes easily, turning out desserts with a beautiful, modern look.
• Cathedral Bundt Pan, $25.48 at Amazon: Modeled after Notre Dame Cathedral, this 10-cup pan makes cakes that are especially lovely dusted with powdered sugar.
• Bundtlette Pan, $32.51 at Amazon: Make six single-serving cakelets instead of one large bundt cake.
• Bavaria Bundt Pan, $25.41 at Amazon: The crisp geometric pattern of this pan produces cakes that look intricate yet clean.
• 60th Anniversary Edition Bundt Pan, $29.95 at Amazon: Based on the original design from 1950, this pan sports the classic bundt cake look and accommodates 10-15 cups of batter, making it a great all-purpose choice.
Do you have a bundt pan you recommend?
Related: Seasonal Baking: 5 Fall Bundt Cake Recipes
(Images: Anjali Prasertong; Amazon; Overstock)
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I love national bundt day! I love the look of the heritage pan, just never get around to buying the thing!
Go check out foodlibrarian.blogspot.com if you want to see hardcore bundt devotion. She makes a month long bundt a day til today for the past few years!
I couldn't help but notice that all of your favorite bundt pans are made by Nordicware. I have several Nordicware pans and they are awesome. They're a little more expensive but the metal is much thicker and the cakes release perfectly. Nordicware's website has lots of bundt cake recipes and an annual contest.
Oops, you said that already. Anyway, check out their website.
@katlian, Nordicware invented the bundt pan, so they are the first name you go to for the pans. Everyone makes em, but "real" bundt pans are Nordicware.
I have a Pampered Chef stoneware bundt pan and I love it! Cakes brown up beautifully, cook evenly and I never have a problem with sticking.
I love the Heritage Bundt pan from WS. I have this fleur de lis pan, but I have a hard time with all the crevices—despite buttering, flouring, etc. tips to clean out the excess flour?
I use parchment and/or butter for flat pans but for the intricate designs I use a baking spray with flour in it very sparingly. I have the bug pan and it collects too much butter and flour in the bottom corners.
Happy National Bundt Cake Day! My second favorite holiday this month. Some of the original pans are now in the Smithsonian. Think of all the delicious cakes Ben Stiller could have made when he spent the night there.
To FOODLOVERNOTFIGHTER, I have the same fleur de lis pan, but it is in the Gold Touch finish from Williams Sonoma and I've never had an issue with any cake not releasing completely. Also, instead of flour, I use plain granulated sugar to coat the butter or shortening the I have greased the pan with. The sugar melts into the batter, therefore isn't visible as the excess flour is.