Who out there hasn’t enjoyed a delicious bundt cake and wondered how they got that unique shape? With the holiday season coming up, you may be on the lookout for a quality bundt pan of your own to have on hand for family gatherings and parties.
From coffee cakes to pound cakes, bundt pans are extremely versatile, and you’re sure to find one that fits your baking style best. If you want a durable, beautifully textured bundt pan made of top-quality metal by a name brand, try Nordic Ware Platinum Collection Heritage Bundt Pan.
What to know before you buy a bundt pan
Who invented the bundt pan?
H. David Dalquist, owner of Nordic Ware from Minnesota, originally came up with the design for the bundt pan, an aluminum pan that crafts cakes of all sorts into the signature swirl bundt cake shape. While he originally created the bundt pan in 1950, bundt-style cakes had existed for centuries, but with a bundt pan, it became much easier to bake these delicious treats into the perfectly desirable shape that we all know and love. Nordic Ware is still a top brand when it comes to bundt cakes, owning the trademark for the original invention.
Material
While it’s possible to find bundt pans made of other materials, the classic patented bundt pan is made with cast aluminum. If you’re looking for a top-notch, traditional bundt pan, sticking to aluminum-only models is your best bet. Oftentimes, aluminum pans are available in various metallic paint colors.
Size
The standard size for bundt cake pans is 10 inches, which holds 12 cups. Some variation is available in the size of bundt pans, though most of their sizing depends on the depth of the cake. The more elaborate the carvings on top of the pan, typically the less overall volume the bundt pan is able to bake.
Bundt pan features
Shape
Dalquist noted that if he shaped the bundt pan into ridges, the cake was easier to cut. Aside from whatever utilitarian purposes this may offer, there’s no denying that an elaborately shaped bundt pan leaves a beautiful pattern on whatever baked good is cooked inside it. There is a myriad of shapes available in bundt pans.
Special edition
Some special editions, especially from Nordic Ware, incorporate unique shapes or heritage designs that often cost a bit more than an average bundt pan.
Bundt pan cost
Depending on whether or not the manufacturer is a name brand, whether the pan is aluminum and whether the pan’s design is a unique geometric shape or it’s basic, a bundt pan costs $15-$50.
Bundt pan FAQ
Why are they called bundt pans?
A. When Dalquist came up with bundt pans, he named them after the German word bund, which means bond or connection. He added on the t at the end himself, perhaps to give his product’s name a bit of extra flair.
What are some creative uses for a bundt pan?
A. Aside from its obvious use as bakeware for cakes and other sweet baked goods, bundt pans can also double as cookware for savory items like pizza bread or meatloaf, casting them in the unique shape of the bundt pan itself.
Which bundt pan should I get?
Best of the best bundt pan
Nordic Ware Platinum Collection Heritage Bundt Pan: available at Amazon and Sur La Table
Our take: Marked as a special heritage design, this exciting modern swirl design catches eyes with the baked cakes it makes.
What we like: This pan is available in either a silver or gold finish. The finish is nonstick so your cake can simply slide out of the pan without a problem. Customers love that it’s easy to clean. Cakes made in this pan come out in a unique shape — with their crisp, clean edges that swirl outward, they catch glaze in a really beautiful way.
What we dislike: Some buyers prefer the simple, rounded design of the original bundt pan. A few reviews noted dents in the pan on arrival.
Best bang for your buck bundt pan
Nordic Ware Pro Cast Original Bundt Pan: available at Amazon and Sur La Table
Our take: This bundt pan utilizes the original design from back in 1950, making it a classic choice for your cupboard.
What we like: Compared to other bundt pans from Nordic Ware, this one is a steal. It may not have the fancy flair of more modern designs, but its lovely smooth spiral will take you back to Thanksgiving at your grandmother’s house. It comes in gray, bronze or graphite colors.
What we dislike: If you’re looking to make cakes with shapes that will wow or surprise your friends or family, this might not be the right pick. Some buyers complained that the cake didn’t release easily from the pan.
Honorable mention bundt pan
Nordic Ware Crown Bundt Pan: available at Amazon and Sur La Table
Our take: Produced for the 70th anniversary of the bundt pan, this regal and elegant choice is sure to impress any of your guests.
What we like: The ridges of this bundt pan, aside from being aesthetically appealing, provide a good place for icing or syrup to collect and create a stunning glaze on your finished cakes. The lovely gold finish makes this pan just as visually pleasing as the cakes it makes.
What we dislike: This pan may be too ornate for some customers’ taste. It may be too expensive for some buyers.
Micayla Mead is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
