If the bundt cake gods have cursed you (cause it really does happen) and you’re wondering how to save a broken bundt cake, keep reading.
Why Do Bundt Cakes Stick?
Before we address how to salvage a broken bundt cake, we should take a quick look at why they break in the first place. Based on experience, I’m going to assume your bundt cake broke because it got stuck in the pan. This may happen because:
- The bundt pan wasn’t properly greased/prepared.
- You tried to remove the bundt when it was too warm.
- You tried to remove the bundt when it was too cold.
- You tapped on the pan too hard to release it.
- You ran a knife around the edges, causing an accidental crevice.
- The full moon wasn’t properly aligned with the door of your oven, which wasn’t blessed by a NordicWare Viking.
When a bundt cake sticks, you’re often left with a portion of the cake in the pan and the rest on your plate. While it may feel like the end of the world, there are a few things you can do.
Note: These tips are designed for after your bundt cake is broken. If your cake is still stuck in the pan, click here.
“Gluing” Your Bundt Cake Together
Use some doctor-like precision to piece your cake back together. If your bundt cake is still warm and only a chunk or two is missing (especially from the top), see if you piece it back together. Once I carefully extracted a single section from the top of my bundt cake pan, placed it back on the cake and the heat of the cake glued it back together. You couldn’t even tell it happened. It was a miracle.
If the bundt cake gods haven’t blessed you with such a miracle, your next best step is going to be buttercream. This method works great for large pieces of cake with clean breaks. Take dabs of frosting and carefully place it on one side of the broken area. Gently, but firmly place the other piece to it. Try to keep the buttercream in the middle so it doesn’t leak out of the cracks. Be super careful when spreading any frosting; cake erosion is a real thing. Think more about dabbing frosting than spreading it.
Make a Whipped Cream Mountain
A whipped cream mountain is the first thing I think of when I ask myself how to save a broken bundt cake. That’s because my broken bundts are generally really broken. Let’s take a look at a real-life example.
This was meant to be a sleek and luxurious cherry almond bundt cake. I had found a more intricate bundt pan on sale and couldn’t wait to test it out. I did not anticipate that my favorite sugar coat method would fail me so hard. I also didn’t adequately adjust the temperature and cooking time for the more compact bundt size. You’ll notice the sugar just congealed and burnt with the batter in every crack.
I could tell it was stuck and tried to steam it out. When it finally loosened its death grip on the pan, the inner cherries glowed like jewels and my heart broke. There was no top on my cake, let alone the intricate lines for my planned homemade cherry glaze. Plus, this bundt was meant for a Sunday dinner. Which was in less than an hour.
This is the sort of situation when a mountain of whipped cream (or your favorite frosting) comes in handy. I bake a lot so I keep a lot of heavy cream on hand. I prefer whipped cream because it’s got a lot of volume and can go far to cover up mistakes without being too sugary.
So, to fix my bundt and make it presentable, I topped it with whipped cream mixed with chopped cherries and a wee bit of sugar. The end result turned out perfectly acceptable.
Ideas to Fix True Cake Disasters
If your bundt cake is truly unsalvageable as a whole, there are still some delicious options. Try to make one of the following:
- Trifles. Make a trifle by cutting up the remaining pieces of cake into small chunks. Layer the chunks with whipped cream, frosting, fruit, and/or other filling ingredients that match the flavor of your cake. If time permits, brush the pieces of cake with a sugar syrup.
- Cake Pops. I’m not a huge fan of lots of frosting (especially from a can), but cake pops are a great option when you’re left with a lot of crumbly pieces. Crumble the cake totally and mix it was frosting until you can create a solid ball. Chill until firm. Coat the cake balls with chocolate, frosting, or another type of glaze.
- Eat plain. If you don’t want to go through the effort and your bundt isn’t for a special occasion, I say just eat it. Cut it up into slices, cover with some yummy toppings, and deliver it to some friends.
I hope these ideas help you feel confident in your broken bundts, which are likely still delicious. Happy bundt baking!
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