For show-stopping baking, only a Bundt pan can deliver such gorgeous results. We asked the Taste of Home team to share their favorites.
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Whether you’re baking mini Bundt cakes or a showstopping seasonal dessert, we break down the best Bundt pans you can buy across different sizes, shapes, patterns and materials.
Did you know? “Bundt” is actually a trademark owned by Nordic Ware, which means true Bundt pans all come from Nordic Ware. Similar pans from other brands can’t legally use the name, so you’ll usually see them labeled as fluted tube cake pans.
To round out our picks, we also asked the Taste of Home Team to share their favorite Nordic Ware shapes and models, from everyday classics to eye-catching designs. Our basic rule still applies: you can never have too many Bundt pans!
If you want a cake that looks bakery-worthy with very little effort, the Swirl Bundt Pan is a standout. Its flowing, ribbon-like design creates movement and dimension that instantly elevates classic bakes like vanilla pound cake, marble cake or citrus-forward Bundts. The sculpted swirl pattern adds visual drama while still being approachable enough for everyday baking.
It’s a favorite among our editors for both its looks and reliability. “I love the Nordic Ware swirl bake pan that comes with a cake carrier,” says shopping editor, Emily Way. “Nordic Ware pans are my favorite Bundt pans in general, but this one in particular turns out such pretty cakes. Plus, I never have to worry about a broken bake!” Pair this pan with a trusted Taste of Home Bundt recipe, and you’ve got an easy go-to for holidays, celebrations or anytime you want a dessert that impresses without extra decorating.
The Anniversary Bundt Pan takes the iconic original Bundt shape and gives it a celebratory upgrade. It features the same timeless silhouette bakers know and love, but adds thoughtful design touches like built-in side handles for easier lifting and unmolding. (Psst! Here’s our guide on how to choose the best Bundt cake pan.) Available in both gold and silver finishes, it feels especially fitting for milestone moments, whether you’re baking for a holiday, birthday or special gathering.
With its clean vertical fluting and generous 12-cup capacity, this pan delivers beautifully defined cakes that slice and serve effortlessly. It’s a staple in many kitchens, including editor Anna Lane’s. “Nordic Ware is my go-to brand for baking pans of all types and sizes—but especially Bundt cakes,” she says. “You don’t have to worry about ending up with a mangled cake, and the light metal ensures that you get the perfect golden hue without your cake getting overdone.” Elegant yet practical, this pan proves why the original Bundt design has stood the test of time.
If you love a Bundt cake with bold visual impact, the Kaleidoscope Bundt Pan delivers. Its geometric, starburst-inspired design creates striking lines and deep grooves that turn even simple bakes into a true centerpiece. It’s especially well suited for pull-apart treats like monkey bread, where the dramatic shape highlights every buttery, sugar-coated bite and makes serving feel a little more special.
This pan is a favorite of shopping editor Marisa Hillman, who appreciates both its design and versatility. “I have several Nordic Ware pieces in my kitchen. The quality is excellent and the prices are really reasonable,” she says. “I mainly use my Bundt pan for monkey bread because it is my children’s favorite thing when we host. I ordered the kaleidoscope because it looked like a good choice for monkey bread.” Whether you’re baking for guests or family traditions, this eye-catching pan adds instant personality to your dessert spread.
If playful, unexpected bakes are your thing, the Octopus Bundt Pan brings instant personality to the dessert table. This sculptural design features curling tentacles and expressive details that make it just as fun to display as it is to serve. It’s a natural fit for ocean-themed parties, kids’ birthdays or any time you want a cake that sparks conversation before the first slice is even cut.
“When I saw this octopus-shaped pan, it was an immediate add to our wedding registry,” shares deputy editor Katie Bandurski. “I’m a big fan of silly and whimsical kitchen gear, and this pan takes the cake. The first time I used it, I was pretty nervous about sticking as there were a lot of tiny crevices, but a very thorough greasing got the job done. Talk about an absolute showstopper at summer parties.”
That popularity does come with one caveat: this pan can be tricky to track down and is often out of stock online, so spotting one available can feel like a bit of a win. When you do find it, the results are well worth the hunt. The finished cake unmolds with striking definition, and simple decorations (like a glaze or light dusting of powdered sugar) help highlight the playful details.
The Gingerbread House Bundt Pan captures all the charm of a classic gingerbread house, without the stress of actually assembling one. Featuring rooflines, windows and decorative details, it creates a cake that feels festive straight out of the pan, making it a favorite during the winter baking season.
“Believe it or not, I found this pan at my local Goodwill,” says Bandurski. “The details look so lovely on a holiday dessert table. And while you do need to grease it really well (even more so than the octopus pan), the results are well worth it. I use Baker’s Joy pan spray with good results. And hey—it’s still easier to make than a real gingerbread house!”
This design works especially well with spiced cakes and holiday flavors, and it’s easy to dress up with powdered sugar “snow,” simple icing accents or a drizzle glaze. Whether you’re baking for a cookie swap, holiday party or cozy night in, this pan delivers big seasonal impact with relatively little effort.
The 3D Turkey Bundt Pan is made for holiday traditions. Designed to resemble a fully sculpted turkey, this pan turns dessert into a true centerpiece with no carving knife required. It’s especially popular for Thanksgiving, when it adds a playful twist to the table and gives guests something to talk about while dinner settles.
“I’ll admit: this pan has given me trouble,” says Bandurski. “The tiny feathered details on the turkey’s body are prone to sticking, and it’s hard to get the batter distribution just right so each mold fills and bakes properly. That said, it’s an impressive addition to your Thanksgiving table.” She adds, “I didn’t even stand my pumpkin spice turkey cakes up to make a 3D bird, but the compliments still rolled in.”
Like many of Nordic Ware’s seasonal designs, this pan can be difficult to find online and is often out of stock, particularly as the holidays approach. If you manage to snag one, it delivers big visual payoff with minimal decorating. A light glaze or dusting of powdered sugar is often all it takes to highlight the sculpted details. It’s an ideal pick for bakers who love leaning into seasonal traditions and creating memorable holiday moments.
Maybe you’re gifting a few holiday cakes to friends and family, or just can’t resist the cuteness of a display of mini Bundt cakes. Whatever you’re baking up, this quartet mini Bundt pan is sure to come in handy. It’s made of nonstick, cast aluminum and holds nine cups of cake mix—the same as a standard Bundt pan. However, this capacity is split between the four cakes, each with a different design.
This heritage Bundt pan is a favorite in our Test Kitchen. And can you blame our bakers? It delivers gorgeous results every time like with this chocolate Bundt cake or fun margarita cake. Its center tube ensures even baking through extra heating, while its vintage design is based on an old German stoneware mold for baking a ring-shaped kugelhopf.
Looking for a new Bundt cake pan? Try this new release from Nordic Ware: the 75th anniversary braided Bundt. The arched design is eye-catching and perfect for showing off your favorite glaze and decoration. Give this pan a try when you make a lush olive oil cake with citrus glaze. Its signature gold finish is nonstick for easy cleanup!
Steal the show at your next party with a display of mini Bundt cakes! This mini Bundt cake pan makes six single-serve cakes, each designed in the same classic shape as the original Bundt pan.
You might want to make two batches (one for the party and one to keep) because it’s hard to resist having a few baby Bundts all to yourself. If you’re looking to mix things up, the Braided Mini Bundt Pan is another great option, give you a slightly more decorative twist while keeping the same crowd-pleasing, bite-size format.
When buying a Bundt cake pan, here are the key factors to consider:
Standard Bundt pans hold 10–12 cups of batter. Mini Bundt pans are great for individual servings, while larger pans (15+ cups) are ideal for parties. Ensure the pan size matches your recipe to prevent over- or underfilling.
Bundt pans come in many designs, from classic ridges to intricate patterns. Detailed designs can make release trickier, requiring extra greasing or a non-stick surface for easier removal.
Non-stick pans are helpful, especially with intricate designs, allowing for easier cake release. Avoid using metal utensils or abrasive scrubbers, as they can damage the coating over time.
Look for pans made from heavy-gauge aluminum or cast iron for long-lasting durability. Reputable brands like Nordic Ware and USA Pan offer high-quality pans that balance durability with excellent baking performance.
If you’re an avid baker, investing in a premium Bundt pan is worth it for better performance and durability. Casual bakers may opt for more affordable pans or mini sets for versatility.
When searching for the best Bundt cake pans on the market, we considered several key criteria:
Our thorough approach ensures that our recommendations meet a variety of baking needs.
The best way to prevent a cake from sticking to a Bundt pan is to grease it thoroughly, ensuring you cover all the nooks and crannies. To prevent sticking, use non-stick baking spray or coat the pan with butter and dust it with flour.
The main difference is less about shape and more about branding. “Bundt” is a trademarked name owned by Nordic Ware, so anything labeled a “Bundt” pan is made by Nordic Ware. Fluted cake pans, on the other hand, are a broader category that include any ring-shaped pan with decorative grooves. Any other brand will have to call their pans “fluted cake pans.”
So, in practice, many Bundt pans are fluted, but not all fluted pans can legally be called Bundt pans—even if they look similar and bake the same type of cake.
An advantage of using Bundt pans over regular cake pans is that they can be used for even cooking. The hole in the center allows more cake to contact the pan’s surface, ensuring better heat distribution. This prevents overcooking the edges while the center remains underdone, which can happen in regular cake pans.
Lisa Kaminski wrote for Taste of Home for six years, sharing her food expertise across a wide range of cooking topics. Her work has been featured in several publications, including Fox News, MSN, Flipboard and Reader’s Digest.
Paul Rankin, Content Updates Editor at Taste of Home, updated and contributed research to this article. Paul is also a product tester and writer at Bob Vila and has written shopping guides since 2021.
