PanSpanKugelhopf Pan
Which Kugelhopf pan will give me a tall, well-defined swirl cake that releases cleanly?
For a traditional-looking yeasted Kugelhopf, I’d choose the Nordic Ware pan first: it is purpose-made for the shape and has a nonstick coating. The Fox Run is my pick if you want a clearly sized 8.5-inch fluted pan in carbon steel; choose the smaller Webake or MGGi pans for compact bakes. Silicone is convenient and flexible, but for the browned crust and crisp ridges you’re after, I’d favor a metal pan.
#1 · Nordic Ware
Nordic Ware Kugelhopf Bundt Cake Pan
Choose this if you want a dedicated Kugelhopf pan for holiday yeasted cakes and an easy-release surface. It is my first choice for the classic fluted presentation.
#2 · Fox Run
Fox Run Kugelhopf Pan, 8.5-Inch, Preferred Non-Stick | 8.5" Fluted Bundt pan | Durable & Even Heating Carbon Steel | Premium Non-stick Coating | Great For Bundt & Pound Cakes
Choose the Fox Run if you want an 8.5-inch fluted pan made from carbon steel, a practical fit for Kugelhopf as well as Bundt and pound cakes. It is the clearest choice here when a stated pan diameter matters.
#3 · Webake
Webake 7 Inch Fluted Tube Pan Non-stick, Heavy Duty Carbon Steel Kugelhopf Cake Baking Mold for 6QT 8QT Insta Pot
Choose the Webake for smaller cakes or if you want a fluted pan that fits a 5–8-quart pressure cooker. It is a compact carbon-steel option with a nonstick coating.
#4 · MGGi
MGGi 2 Pack 7 Inch Kugelhopf Baking Pan, Medium Fluted Tube Carbon Steel Nonstick Cake Cups, Buntz Carbon Homemade Pound Cakes Oven Spiral Pattern Bakeware Mold Mould for Chocoflan, Jello, Flan -Gold
Choose the MGGi set if making two smaller cakes at once is more useful than owning one larger pan. The two 7-inch carbon-steel pans also suit cooks who want a compact size for gatherings.
#5 · Restaurantware
Restaurantware Gray Silicone Fluted Kugelhopf Bundt Pan, Non-Stick, 1 Ct
Choose the Restaurantware mold if flexible release and dishwasher-friendly cleanup matter more to you than the most deeply browned crust. Its metal reinforcement helps steady the silicone while you fill it.
Metal or silicone for the crust and swirl?
For a browned crust and defined ridges, I’d take a metal pan: the Nordic Ware for a dedicated Kugelhopf shape, or the Fox Run if you want carbon steel and a stated 8.5-inch size. Silicone is easier to flex away from a cake, but it generally gives less browning than metal. Pick the Restaurantware mold when flexible release and easy cleanup outweigh that crust difference.
Can I bake Kugelhopf in a Bundt pan?
Yes—a fluted tube Bundt pan can bake Kugelhopf, and the Fox Run is explicitly suited to both styles of cake. A dedicated Kugelhopf pan is the better choice if the traditional tall, swirled silhouette is part of the occasion. I’d choose Nordic Ware for that, and use a compact 7-inch pan when a smaller cake is what you need.
How do I stop the dough sticking in the ridges?
Even with a nonstick coating, brush softened butter or melted butter carefully into every flute and around the center tube before adding the dough. Follow your recipe’s guidance on flouring the pan, and let the cake settle briefly after baking before turning it out; forcing it while very hot can tear the ridges. For a coated metal pan, avoid scraping with a knife or using abrasive scrubbers.
Is ceramic or terracotta better than metal?
Ceramic and terracotta bring a traditional look and hold heat, while cast aluminum is a metal choice when you want strong browning and a crisp crust. None of the picks here is a ceramic or terracotta mold, so I’d choose the Nordic Ware for the traditional shape among these options.
How they compare
Which one is yours
Nordic Ware: You want the dedicated Kugelhopf choice for a tall, decorative holiday cake.
Fox Run: You want an 8.5-inch carbon-steel pan that can also handle Bundt and pound cakes.
Webake: You want a compact 7-inch fluted pan for smaller cakes or pressure-cooker baking.
MGGi: You want two 7-inch carbon-steel pans for baking a pair of smaller cakes.
Restaurantware: You prioritize flexible release, easy cleanup and using the mold for chilled desserts as well as cakes.
You will also want
A careful pan release starts with a thorough coating of butter, and safe handling matters when you’re turning out a hot, ridged cake. These kitchen basics are the useful additions.
R HORSE 6Pcs Black Pot Holders with Pocket for Kitchen, 7''x 9'' | Cotton Potholders, Heat Resistant Oven Mitts, Non-slip Terry Cloth Trivet, Ideal for Baking Cooking, Machine Wash
Use these pocketed potholders to grip the hot pan securely while you turn the cake out.
Extra Thick Silicone Trivet Mat for Hot Dishes, Hot Pots and Pans, Pot Holder, Hot Pad to Protect Your Table and Countertop, Kitchen Decor and Accessories,Navy Blue, Set of 3
Set the hot pan down on a silicone trivet while the cake settles before you invert it.
MR.SIGA Non-Scratch Cellulose Scrub Sponge, Dual-Sided Dish Sponge, 12 Pack | Dishwashing sponge for non stick cookware, scratch free dish sponges, kitchen sponges, cellulose sponges, sponges for dishes
Use the non-scratch side to clean a coated pan without reaching for an abrasive scrubber.
Questions buyers ask
What is the difference between a Kugelhopf pan and a Bundt pan?
Both are fluted tube pans, but a Kugelhopf mold is associated with the tall, swirled shape of the traditional yeasted cake.
Why is a Kugelhopf pan tall?
The tall center tube helps heat reach the middle of a deep cake, while the fluted sides create its distinctive ridged outline. For yeasted dough, allow room for the dough to rise rather than filling the mold to the brim.
How do I season a glazed clay Kugelhopf mold?
Glazed clay is not seasoned like cast iron. Grease the mold well according to the recipe, paying close attention to the flutes and center, and avoid sudden temperature changes with ceramic bakeware.
What material is best for traditional Kugelhopf baking?
Among these picks, the Fox Run and MGGi are carbon steel, and the Webake is also metal. The pan shapes the swirl, while the crumb depends more on the dough and baking than on the mold material. Glazed ceramic or terracotta offers a traditional look; silicone is handy when flexible release is the priority.
What size Kugelhopf mold do I need?
There is no single standard diameter, so match the recipe’s dough amount to the pan capacity rather than assuming all fluted pans hold the same volume. The Webake is a 7-inch (17.8 cm) pan with a stated 4-cup capacity (about 0.95 L); the MGGi set contains two 7-inch pans. For other recipes, compare the recipe’s yield with the pan’s stated capacity before baking.
How do I get a yeasted cake to rise tall in a fluted tube pan?
Use a recipe scaled for the mold, give the dough enough time to rise, and avoid overfilling the pan. A tube pan gives heat access to the center, but it cannot compensate for under-proofed dough or a pan that is too small for the batch.