This showstopping festive gingerbread bundt cake with maple cinnamon glaze and pecans is moist, soft, and fluffy, and packed with warm holiday spices in every single bite. It is topped with a smooth maple cinnamon glaze with pecans on top that complements the gingerbread flavours so perfectly. The best part? This bundt cake may look like it took some serious holiday magic to make, but it is actually so easy to make in just a few simple steps and a handful of pantry staples. It's the perfect cake to make this holiday season.
I love this time of year because it's all about the baked goods, which means that my house gets to smell like a European Christmas market all month long. This gingerbread bundt cake seriously has the best aroma ever.
Some other holiday favourites to bake are gingerbread muffins with vanilla bean glaze, soft and chewy ginger cookies, jam-filled thumbprint cookies, and festive yogurt fruitcake.
Ingredients
Here is what you need to gather in order to make this gingerbread bundt cake with maple cinnamon glaze:
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder + baking soda
- ground cinnamon, ginger, and all-spice - you could also use a combination of ground cinnamon, ground ginger, cloves and nutmeg, or simply use a gingerbread spice blend.
- salt
- butter
- dark brown sugar - I like dark brown sugar in this recipe, but you could also substitute it with light brown sugar.
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- molasses
- plain yogurt - this is the secret ingredient that make this cake super moist.
- milk
- maple cinnamon glaze - made with confectioners' sugar (icing sugar or powdered sugar), maple syrup, cinnamon and milk.
- pecans - for the topping. You can substitute this with chopped walnuts or crushed pistachios on top.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, hand mixer (or stand mixer), 10-cup bundt pan, and wire cooling rack.
How to Make the Best Gingerbread Bundt Cake
- Prep: Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat a 10-cup bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Combine dry ingredients: Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, all spice and salt in medium bowl, and whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients: Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer to beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition, then add molasses. Scrape down the sides as needed and beat until well mixed.
- Mix dry and wet ingredients together: Gradually add half of the dry ingredients to the bowl, and beat slowly until just combined. Add in yogurt and milk, and beat until combined. Then, gradually add remaining dry ingredients, scrape down the sides with a spatula, and beat until mixed.
- Bake: Bake for 55-65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan on a wire cooling rack for 10 minutes. Then flip upside down and let the cake cool down completely on the wire cooling rack.
How to Make the Best Maple Cinnamon Glaze with Pecans
In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon and milk until smooth and creamy. If the icing is too thin, add in a little more sugar. If it is too thick, add in a little more milk.
Slowly drizzle the glaze over the cooled bundt cake and sprinkle chopped pecans on top.
Storing Tips
- How to store: Store this freshly baked gingerbread bundt cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- How to freeze: To freeze, place the baked and cooled gingerbread bundt into a freezer bag or airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To eat, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Once thawed, you can also warm it up in the microwave, oven, or air fryer at 300F for 5-10 minutes until warmed through, if desired.
More Cake Recipes
- Gingerbread Muffins with Vanilla Bean Glaze
- Glazed Brown Sugar Bundt Cake
- Festive Yogurt Fruitcake
- Cranberry Sauce Swirl Pound Cake
- Lemon Loaf with Lemon Glaze
- Caramel Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
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This post was originally published in November 2017. It has been completed updated with new photographs and tweaks to the recipe to make it perfect.
PrintRecipe
Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Maple Cinnamon Glaze
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This showstopping festive gingerbread bundt cake with maple cinnamon glaze and pecans is moist, soft, and fluffy, and packed with warm holiday spices.
Ingredients
- 2 + ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 + ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon all-spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup milk
Maple Cinnamon Glaze:
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ¼ cup pecans, chopped
Instructions
Make the Gingerbread Bundt Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat a 10-cup bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, all spice and salt in medium bowl, and whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl using a hand mixer to beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition, then add vanilla and molasses. Scrape down the sides as needed and beat until well mixed.
- Gradually add half of the dry ingredients to the bowl, and beat slowly until just combined. Add in yogurt and milk, and beat until combined. Then, gradually add remaining dry ingredients, scrape down the sides, and beat until mixed.
- Bake for 45-65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean (the time depends on how hot your oven runs. Mine was done at 60 minutes). Let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Then flip upside down and let the cake cool down on the wire rack completely.
Make the Maple Cinnamon Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon and milk until smooth and creamy. If the icing is too thin, add in a little more sugar. If it is too thick, add in a little more milk. Also, if you prefer a stronger cinnamon taste, taste the glaze and then add another ¼ teaspoon.
- Slowly drizzle the glaze over the cooled bundt cake and sprinkle chopped pecans on top.
Notes
Equipment used: measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, hand mixer (or stand mixer), 10-cup bundt pan, and wire cooling rack.
How to store: Store this freshly baked gingerbread bundt cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
How to freeze: To freeze, place the baked and cooled gingerbread bundt into a freezer bag or airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To eat, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Once thawed, you can also warm it up in the microwave, oven, or air fryer at 300F for 5-10 minutes until warmed through, if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Cake
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
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Miyuki says
Made this wonderful recipe for Christmas dinner. The flavor was perfect and texture of the cake was spot on. It was moist and had a great structure. It was a hit.
I made a few slight adjustments. I used sour cream instead of yogurt, folded in the dry ingredients instead of blend, and added candied pecans vs the plain. This will be going in my recipe book for sure.
Xochitl says
Just made this and it was delicious! Will definitely be making it again during the holidays.
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
That makes me so happy to hear! Enjoy!
Hannah says
Can you use sour cream instead of yogurt?? Really want to make it but all I have is vanilla Greek yogurt!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Yes, you substitute the yogurt with sour cream. Let me know how it goes.
Charmaine says
This recipe sounds wonderful! I am planning on making it using a mini bundt cake pan (Wilton 24 mini bundt cake pan). Do you have any suggestions on the cooking time for this recipe when cooking it using the mini pans? Thank you.
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Hi Charmaine, the cooking time when baking in the mini pans will be much closer to 20-25 minutes. The cake should be springy when poked with your finger and a toothpick inserted will come out clean when done.
Melissa Miller says
Just made this and it smells soooo good... getting ready to make the maple glaze and I know it says maple cinnamon but cinnamon isn’t mentioned in the instructions when making it just wondering how much to use .. thanks!!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Yes, that was just pointed out to me in another comment. Thank you! It was a complete oversight and I have updated to include the cinnamon. I used 1/4 teaspoon, but you can add a little more to taste, if you prefer.
Melissa Miller says
Thank you so much , I just saw!
JD says
This looks and sounds delicious and I will be making it tomorrow. However, how is it "maple cinnamon glaze" when there is no cinnamon in the glaze?
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Wow, thank you so much for catching that!! I have corrected the recipe.