This coffee bundt cake is the scent I associate most with Christmas morning. My mother made a version of this coffee cake with yellow cake mix every holiday, and it’s a tradition I’ve kept with my own family. Made from cake mix, instant pudding and sour cream, it comes together quickly and has a tender crumb with a warm cinnamon swirl running through the center.
A light dusting of powdered sugar finishes the cake and makes it an attractive addition to any breakfast or brunch spread—perfect for grabbing a slice on the way to see what Santa left under the tree.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gather the following ingredients to make this bundt cake:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (make sure the mix does NOT already contain pudding)
- 1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz)
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
You will also need a bundt pan, greased and floured or coated with baking spray.
Step-by-step Instructions for Making a Coffee Bundt Cake
Follow these steps to assemble and bake the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a bundt pan, or spray it with nonstick baking spray.
- In a large bowl, beat together the yellow cake mix, instant vanilla pudding mix, eggs, canola oil, vanilla and sour cream at high speed until the batter is thick and creamy, about seven minutes.
- While the batter is mixing, prepare the filling: stir the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon and melted butter together until combined.
- Pour about three-quarters of the batter into the prepared bundt pan, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the batter in the pan.
- Carefully spoon the remaining batter on top of the filling, smoothing it lightly to cover.
- Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean and the top is golden.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to finish cooling.
- Once the cake is completely cool, dust the top with powdered sugar just before serving.
Can I make this coffee bundt cake ahead of time?
Yes. This cake holds up well when made the night before serving, which makes it ideal for holiday mornings. If preparing ahead, wait to dust with powdered sugar until just before serving so it looks fresh.
What should I serve with coffee cake?
This bundt cake pairs nicely with a simple brunch menu: a baked egg casserole, fresh fruit salad, bagels with cream cheese and coffee or hot cocoa. It’s easy to prepare and appeals to a crowd.
Recipe Summary
Easy Coffee Bundt Cake
Equipment
- Bundt pan
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 small box instant vanilla pudding (3.4 oz)
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the filling:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Grease and flour a bundt pan and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Beat the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil, vanilla and sour cream together in a large bowl at high speed until thick and creamy, about seven minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon and melted butter for the filling.
- Pour about 3/4 of the batter into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the batter.
- Top with the remaining batter, smoothing gently to cover the filling.
- Bake 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a rack to finish cooling.
- Once completely cool, dust with powdered sugar and serve.
Notes
You can make this coffee cake the night before serving. Wait to dust with powdered sugar until just before serving for best presentation.
More Holiday Recipes to Try
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispy Candies
- Everyone’s Favorite Raspberry Bars
- Funfetti Sugar Cookie House
- Color Dipped Gingerbread Cookies
- Tie Dye Yule Log Cake
I hope this recipe helps you wake up to the aroma of cinnamon on your next holiday morning.