The Best Bundt Pan Substitute: 6 Practical Options

Last Updated on February 3, 2023

Bundt pans are great for making Angel food cakes, pound cakes, and more. However, if you don’t have one you can use a Bundt pan substitute. No need to worry as you will still be able to make your favorite Bundt cakes even without a Bundt pan.

Bundt cakes are a wonderful option for serving at dinner parties and potlucks. They are not only delicious, but they are also beautiful as well thanks to how decorative Bundt pans can be. Traditionally, they are served with glaze, frosting, powdered sugar, fruit, or simply just plain.

Knowing the best Bundt pan substitute will allow you to make your favorite Bundt cakes without a Bundt pan.

What is a Bundt Pan? The Best Bundt Pan Substitute 

A Bundt is a tall, round decorative pan with deep sides and a hollow tube in the middle. This creates a donut shape and the intricate designs of the pan make a decorative design on the cake.

The shape of a Bundt pan allows for even baking and creates a golden brown exterior on cakes. They became popular in America in the 1950s and 1960s after cookware manufacturer Nordic Ware began producing Bundt pans from cast aluminum. Shortly after the brand trademarked the name “Bundt.”

What can you make in bundt pans?

There are plenty of delicious recipes you can bake with a Bundt pan. Bundt pans are most commonly used to make different varieties of cakes. Such cakes include pound cake, angel food cake, chocolate cake, vanilla cake, lemon cake, pumpkin cake, strawberry cake, and more.

In addition to cakes, Bundt pans are also great for baking monkey bread, pull-apart bread, ice cream cake, pizza bread, jello, and even lasagna. You don’t have to use your Bundt pan to just make cakes.

The Best Bundt Pan Substitute 

If you have a favorite bundt cake recipe, but don’t have a pan, you can still make it. Fortunately, there are other ways you can make bundt cakes than with a Bundt pan. Just remember you will have to adjust the baking times according to the pan you use.

Tube pan

A tube pan is very similar to a Bundt pan, as they have a hollow tube center to give them a donut shape. They have tall, straight sides and do not feature any decorative designs on the pan.

Traditionally, tube pans are used to make angel food cakes. However, you can also use them to make bundt cake recipes as well. Tube pans are the best alternative to use for Bundt pans as they are the most similar.

Loaf pan

Loaf pans are a great option to use if you want a longer rather than taller cake. A loaf pan will also give your cake that wonderful golden exterior and moist interior. Depending on the size of your loaf pan, you may need to use two loaf pans to make your Bundt cake, as bundt cakes use a lot of batters.

Muffin tin

Using a muffin tin is a great way to get serving-size pieces of your Bundt cake without having to cut it. This can be a great option if you are hosting a party, as it will be easier to serve. You can either use cupcake liners or grease the pan to prevent the cake from sticking.

Round cake pan

Round cake pans can be a great option for making Bundt cakes when you don’t have a traditional Bundt pan. You can use eight or nine-inch round pans to make your cake. You will likely need to use two or three round cake pans when making a Bundt cake recipe.

Springform pan

Springform pans are traditionally used to make cheesecakes, however, you can also use them to make Bundt cake recipes as well. You will likely need two or three eight or nine-inch springform pans to make your Bundt cake recipe.

9 x 13-Inch pan

A 9 x 13-inch cake pan is another good choice to use when you don’t have a Bundt pan on hand. It is a great size to use as an alternative when making a Bundt pan recipe.

How to Make Your Own Bundt Pan: Bundt Pan Substitute 

If you want your cake to have the appearance of a Bundt cake, but don’t have a Bundt pan, you can make your own. This is another great option for the best Bundt pan substitute. 

To do so, take an eight or nine-inch round pan and place a small, oven-safe glass dish in the middle of the pan. Fill the glass dish with pie weights to keep it from moving.

Then, pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, with the glass making a ring. You will need to repeat the process two to three times to use up all the batter from the recipe. Once cooled, carefully remove the glass from the pan and now you will have your makeshift Bundt cake.

Is a Tube Pan the Same as a Bundt Pan?

A tube pan is a type of round cake pan with a hollow tube in the center. So, a Bundt pan is a type of tube pan. Bundt pans typically have fluted sides with a decorative design and a hollow tube in the middle.

Bundt pans can be aluminum, ceramic, or even cast iron. They are ideal for making cakes that are dense and buttery with a tender, moist crumb. 

The tube conducts heat to allow large, tall cakes to bake faster. In addition, the tube also allows for an easier release when removing the cake from the pan. Though Bundt pans are a special type of tube pan, they can’t always be used interchangeably. 

Most tube pans have straight sides instead of flute, and an uncoated finish. This design is practical for making light and airy cakes, such as angel food cakes and chiffon cakes. Tube pans often have removable bottoms and feet to release delicate cakes without breaking them, which is something that Bundt pans don’t have.

Not all cakes that require a tube cake pan, such as angel food cake and chiffon cake, can be made in Bundt pans due to their delicate nature. However, most recipes for Bundt cakes can be made in tube pans.

 

What is a Fluted Tube Pan?

A fluted tube pan is the same thing as a Bundt pan. It is a tube pan that sides flute out and often includes decorative etching on the sides. This means that instead of having straight sides, the sides of the pan groove or flare.

There are many different decorative designs you can buy of fluted tube pans. The decorative construction of the pans gives your cakes beautiful designs without the need for fancy frosting techniques. 

Different Types of Cake Pans

When it comes to baking, there are several different types of cake pans you can use. If you plan on baking a cake, it is important to know the right size and style of pans for the recipe you are making.

Sheet Pans

A sheet pan is a rectangular cake pan. They come in different sizes and are used to make quarter-sheet, half-sheet, and full-sheet cakes. They can be great for serving large groups of people as they are easy to slice.

Quarter-sheet pans are typically 9 x 13 inches, half-sheet pans are 18 x 13 inches, and full-sheet pans are 26 x 18 inches. Sheet cakes are often sold at grocery store bakeries. 

Round Pans

Round pans come in a variety of sizes, with some of the most popular sizes being six inches, eight inches, and nine inches. Round cakes typically consist of anywhere from two to four layers. Round cakes can be used to make tier cakes for special events like weddings. 

Tube Pans

Tube pans include all types of round cake pans that have hollow tubes in the middle. Bundt pans are a special type of fluted tube pan that comes in various designs.

Loaf Pans 

Loaf pans are often used to make different types of bread but they can also be used to make cakes. Most loaf pans measure 9 × 5 inches or 8 ½ x 4 ½ inches.

Cupcake Tins

Cupcakes tins are a great way to make serving sizes of cake that are easy to serve. Cupcake tins come in mini, standard, and jumbo sizes. 

Springform Pans

Springform pans are a type of round pan with a latch on the side to easily remove the cake from the pan. They are most commonly used for cheesecakes but can be used for other types of cake as well.

Alternatives to a Bundt Pan: The Best Bundt Pan Substitute

Bundt pans create beautiful, elegant, and delicious cakes. However, there are several pans you can use as alternatives to Bundt pans as well.

Do you have any questions regarding the best Bundt pan substitute? If so, please ask any questions regarding how to make a Bundt cake in the comments.

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