PanSpanWilton Bundt Pan
Which Bundt pan should I choose for cakes that bake evenly and release cleanly?
For most holiday and potluck cakes, I’d choose the Nordic Ware Original: its 12-cup capacity and cast-aluminum construction suit larger cakes and detailed ridges. If you came specifically for Wilton, its 9.49-inch fluted pan is the straightforward choice for smaller bakes and everyday recipes. The Cuisinart is a solid alternative with a limited lifetime warranty, while the Novery offers a sturdy 9.5-inch pan for cakes and other ring-shaped desserts. Whichever you choose, careful greasing and a soft brush matter as much as the nonstick surface.
#1 · Nordic Ware
Nordic Ware Original Bundt, 12-Cup, Graphite | Bakeware, Cake Pans, Aluminum Bakeware, Nonstick Bakeware, USA, Aluminum, Carded, Nordic Ware 10.38 in
Choose this for family gatherings, dense pound cakes and intricate ridges that deserve a crisp finish. Its 12-cup capacity and cast-aluminum construction make it the strongest all-around pick here.
#2 · Wilton
Wilton Gold Non-Stick Fluted Tube Cake Pan, Made Without PFAS, 9.49 in | Non-Stick Steel with Scratch-Resistant Coating, Resists Warping, Dishwasher Safe, Perfect for Bundt & Fluted Tube Cakes
This is the Wilton to choose if you want a compact fluted pan for ordinary home baking. It has a nonstick coating, extended handles and dishwasher-safe convenience, though I’d hand-wash it to help preserve the coating.
#3 · Cuisinart
Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Bakeware 9-1/2-Inch Fluted Cake Pan,Silver
Pick the Cuisinart if you want a 9.5-inch nonstick fluted pan with rolled edges and an explicitly stated limited lifetime warranty. It’s a practical alternative for standard ring cakes when you don’t need the larger Nordic Ware pan.
#4 · Novery
Novery 9.5" Non-Stick Carbon Steel Fluted Tube Cake Pan | For Pound Cake Jello Gelatin Flan Chocoflan, Heavy Duty, Non-Stick Easy Release, Sturdy Baking pan
Choose the Novery if you want a sturdier-feeling 9.5-inch pan for pound cake, monkey bread, flan or gelatin desserts. Its carbon-steel construction and nonstick surface make it the versatile option for experimenting beyond cake.
Do you need a large pan, or will a smaller fluted pan do?
Check the recipe’s stated capacity before swapping pans: the Nordic Ware holds 12 cups, while the Wilton, Cuisinart and Novery are around 9.5 inches across. For a large family cake, take the Nordic Ware; for smaller batches and everyday recipes, the Wilton is the direct fit. Don’t fill any Bundt pan to the rim—leave room for the cake to rise.
Is cast aluminum worth choosing over a fluted steel pan?
For dense pound cake or a sharply detailed shape, yes: cast aluminum conducts heat well and helps the cake brown evenly through its grooves. That’s why I’d take the Nordic Ware for a centerpiece cake. The Wilton and Cuisinart are sensible choices for regular bakes where a simpler pan and nonstick convenience matter more.
How do you stop a Bundt cake sticking in the grooves?
Grease every groove carefully, including the center tube, then use a baking spray that contains flour or dust the greased pan with flour. Don’t rely on a nonstick coating alone, especially with a sugary or intricate cake. After baking, let the cake rest briefly, loosen only any obvious stuck edges with a soft tool, and invert it while warm.
Is dishwasher cleaning worth the convenience?
The Wilton and Cuisinart pans are dishwasher safe, but I’d still wash coated bakeware by hand to help the finish last. Soak the pan in warm water, then use a soft sponge or brush to reach the ridges; avoid metal utensils and abrasive scrubbing. For baked-on sugar, let the soak do the work rather than scraping at the coating.
How they compare
Which one is yours
Nordic Ware: Choose it for a large, detailed Bundt cake, especially a dense pound cake or a holiday centerpiece.
Wilton: Choose it when you specifically want a Wilton pan for smaller everyday cakes and value easy handling.
Cuisinart: Choose it for a straightforward 9.5-inch nonstick pan with rolled edges and a limited lifetime warranty.
Novery: Choose it for a sturdy 9.5-inch pan you’ll use for ring cakes as well as monkey bread, flan or gelatin desserts.
You will also want
A couple of simple tools make Bundt-pan prep and cleanup easier: protect your hands when turning out a hot cake, and use gentle cleaning tools around the coating and grooves.
KITCHENAID Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitt 2-Pack Set, 7.5"x13", Milkshake Tan
Long oven mitts help you grip the pan securely when taking it out or inverting it to release a cake.
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 on a silicone trivet while the cake rests before turning it out.
Multi-Purpose Sponges Kitchen By Scrub-it - Non-Scratch Microfiber sponges for Cleaning, Along with Heavy Duty Scrubbing Power - Reusable Dish Sponge for Dishes, Pots and Pans (6 Pack, Small)
These non-scratch sponges are a gentler choice for cleaning nonstick surfaces and easing softened batter or sugar from the grooves.
LANE LINEN 100% Cotton Kitchen Towels, Absorbent Dish Towels 6 Pack - Olive | Soft Tea Towels, Quick Drying Hand Towels for Kitchen, Durable Kitchen Towel Set, Great for Drying Hands & Wiping Spills
Keep a cotton towel nearby to dry the pan thoroughly after hand-washing, especially around the center tube and flutes.
Questions buyers ask
Wilton vs Nordic Ware: which Bundt pan should I choose?
Choose Nordic Ware when you need the larger 12-cup capacity; Wilton is the smaller choice and adds dishwasher-safe cleanup. Wilton is oven safe to 450°F, but hand-washing is gentler on its nonstick coating.
Do you need to grease a nonstick Bundt pan?
Yes. Grease all the grooves and the center tube before each bake; nonstick helps, but it doesn’t guarantee that a cake will release cleanly. A baking spray with flour or greased-and-floured surfaces are reliable ways to prep the pan.
What is the best way to prep Bundt pan grooves?
Use a pastry brush to work softened butter or shortening into the flutes before dusting with flour; tap out excess so it does not collect in the details. Check narrow spaces for bare patches where cake batter can cling.
Is the Wilton fluted pan dishwasher safe?
Yes, the Wilton pan is dishwasher safe. I’d still hand-wash it with a soft sponge because repeated dishwasher cycles can be hard on nonstick coatings over time.
How do you clean baked sugar out of a Bundt pan?
Soak the pan in warm water until the sugar softens, then clean the grooves with a soft brush or sponge. Don’t chip at caramelized sugar with a knife or metal scrubber, which can damage the nonstick surface. For stubborn spots, repeat the soak.
How can you keep monkey bread from burning in a Bundt pan?
Sugar and syrup can darken quickly, so follow the recipe’s timing and check the cake as it nears the end of baking. Use the oven’s middle rack and avoid overfilling the pan. If the top is browning before the center is done, loosely cover it with foil.