Cody Casey
The Bundt cake and its distinctive ring-shaped pan were designed by Nordic Ware co-founder H. David Dalquist in 1950. The Bundt cake was inspired by the traditional European cake known as Gugelhupf, also called Kugelhopf, a dense, ring-shaped cake made with yeast. Dalquist was approached by members of the Minneapolis Jewish-American Hadassah Society to create a modern version of the traditional cast-iron Gugelhupf dish. Today, Bundt pans are made from various materials, including cast iron, ceramic-coated carbon steel, alloy steel, and aluminum, with the latter being the most common and preferred option due to its even baking and browning capabilities.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The history of the Bundt pan
The Bundt pan's design includes a tube shape and hollow center, which allow for even heat distribution and quick baking of large quantities of batter. The fluted design also makes portioning easier and creates a beautiful imprint on the dessert. While the original Bundt pan sold poorly at first, it received a boost in popularity when it was mentioned in the New Good Housekeeping Cookbook in 1963. However, it didn't become a sensation until 1966, when a Bundt cake called the "Tunnel of Fudge Cake" placed second in the 17th annual Pillsbury Bake-Off.
The publicity from the bake-off resulted in more than 200,000 requests to Pillsbury for Bundt pans, and soon the Bundt pan became the most-sold pan in the United States. Pillsbury licensed the name "Bundt" from Nordic Ware and sold a range of Bundt cake mixes. To date, more than 60 million Bundt pans have been sold by Nordic Ware across North America. November 15 has even been named "National Bundt Day".
The Bundt pan has become a versatile tool in the kitchen, used not only for cakes but also for bread, gelatin molds, and even savory dishes like meatloaf. The pans are known for their nonstick surfaces and ease of use, making them a popular choice for bakers and cooks alike.
Steaming Asparagus: Quick, Easy, and Healthy Pan Method
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Materials used to make Bundt pans
The materials used to make Bundt pans have evolved over the years, with different options available in the market. The original Bundt pan, designed by Nordic Ware co-founder David Dalquist in 1950, was made of cast aluminium. Aluminium continues to be a popular choice for Bundt pans due to its even heating properties and ability to produce evenly browned cakes. Cast aluminium pans, in particular, are known for their sturdy construction and non-stick capabilities.
In addition to aluminium, modern Bundt pans are also made from other materials such as cast iron, steel, and ceramic-coated carbon steel. Cast iron Bundt pans are known for their durability and even heating, although they tend to be heavier and may require longer baking times. Steel pans, on the other hand, are lighter in weight and can produce cakes with crispier crusts due to their quick reaction to heat.
Ceramic-coated carbon steel is another option that combines the benefits of a steel core with a non-stick ceramic coating. This material offers effective heat distribution and is known for producing tall and fluffy cakes. Silicone Bundt pans are also available, although they may require more careful handling during baking.
The choice of material depends on the baker's preferences and the desired outcome. Factors such as heat distribution, non-stick properties, and batter capacity play a role in determining the ideal material for a Bundt pan. Some materials, like cast iron and cast aluminium, offer even heating and sturdiness, while lighter materials like steel and aluminium produce darker crusts.
Fill the Weber Smoker Water Pan
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The best Bundt pans for baking
The history of the Bundt pan goes back to the 1950s when the husband-and-wife founders of Nordic Ware, Dave and Dotty Dalquist, designed the pan at the request of members of a Jewish women's organisation. The group wanted a pan for baking a central European cake called Gugelhupf or bundkuchen in parts of Germany. The distinctive donut shape of Bundt cakes is inspired by this traditional European cake.
Now, let's look at some of the best Bundt pans for baking:
Nordic Ware
Nordic Ware is a popular choice for Bundt pans and has been around for over 70 years. They are the trademark holder for the "Bundt" name and produce their pans from cast aluminium. Their Anniversary-edition bundt pan has a 15-cup capacity, making it one of the largest available. It has a sturdy, heavy-gauge centre tube for even baking and a magnificent nonstick coating. The Platinum Collection Heritage Bundt Pan is another excellent option from Nordic Ware, featuring a simple yet elegant design that produces stunning cakes.
Calphalon
The Calphalon Bundt pan is a solid choice, known for its superior nonstick properties. It is made of aluminized steel and is lightweight, making it easy to handle. It is also one of the most inexpensive options on the market, offering excellent value for money.
Wilton
Wilton offers an excellent fluted tube pan made from steel with a nonstick coating. This pan is lightweight and features side handles, making it easy to manoeuvre in and out of the oven. Wilton's Excelle Elite Nonstick 6-Cavity Mini Fluted Tube Baking Pan is perfect for those looking for a mini Bundt pan option.
Le Creuset
Le Creuset is known for its indomitable enamelware, and its Non-Stick Metal Bakeware 12-Cup Mini Fluted Cake Pan is an excellent choice for Bundt baking. It has superior nonstick properties and is priced at a reasonable $30.
Anolon
The Anolon fluted baking pan produces cakes with softer edges and a wider, shorter shape compared to Nordic Ware pans. It can handle high-heat baking up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and is dishwasher-safe, although hand-washing is recommended.
When choosing a Bundt pan, consider factors such as heat distribution, nonstick coatings, batter capacity, and ease of cleaning. The pans listed above are some of the top-rated options on the market, offering a range of features to suit different baking needs and preferences.
The Making of Copper Pans: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to care for a Bundt pan
The distinctive donut-shaped Bundt cake has a distinctly American history. It was modelled after a traditional German cake called "Kugelhopf" or "Gugelhupf", a brioche-like cake made with yeast. The Bundt pan was designed by Nordic Ware co-founder David Dalquist in 1950.
Greasing
The secret to getting your Bundt cake out of the pan cleanly is to create a non-stick layer between the pan and the batter. This can be done by using a fat (like butter, shortening, or oil) and flour. The fat and flour bake into a protective barrier around the cake, almost guaranteeing its release. Liquid fat (melted butter or oil) does a better job of getting inside the nooks and crannies of a Bundt pan. Sugar can also be used in place of flour for coating.
Cleaning
Some Bundt pans are dishwasher-safe, but others need to be hand-washed. If you're unsure, it's best to hand-wash your Bundt pan to avoid any potential damage. After washing, it's important to dry the pan thoroughly with a paper towel.
Storage
When storing your Bundt pan, consider the design. Sleekness is ideal for storage, but handles can be useful for unmoulding a cake. If you own multiple Bundt pans, handles will make them difficult to stack, but they can give you more confidence when flipping the pan over.
Material
The material of your Bundt pan can affect the baking process and the care it requires. Heavier constructions like cast iron and cast aluminum offer even heating and may require longer baking times. They also tend to create crispier crusts on cakes. Lighter materials like steel, aluminum, or ceramic builds react quickly to heat and may result in darker, more caramelized cake crusts.
Panning for Gold in Maine: What's Needed?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The different types of Bundt pans
The Bundt pan was invented in the 1950s by Nordic Ware co-founder David Dalquist, along with his brother and company engineer Don Nygren. The name "'Bundt'" is a trademark, so similar pans are often sold as "fluted tube pans". The design was inspired by the traditional European cake known as Gugelhupf, also known as Bundkuchen in Germany.
Today, there are many different types of Bundt pans available, varying in design, material, and size. The standard Bundt pan has fluted or grooved sides, a tube shape, and a hollow centre, which allows for even heat distribution when baking large quantities of batter.
When it comes to materials, Bundt pans can be made from cast iron, ceramic-coated carbon steel, alloy steel, cast aluminium, or silicone. Aluminium pans generally outperform other materials, producing evenly browned cakes with a perfect internal temperature. Cast iron and cast aluminium pans offer even heating but may require longer baking times, and they tend to create crispier crusts. Lighter steel, aluminium, or ceramic pans react quickly to heat and produce darker, more caramelised crusts with softer interiors.
The size of a Bundt pan is also an important consideration. While a 12-cup capacity is standard, the width and depth of each pan can differ. Taller pans with larger capacities are available, such as the 15-cup Anniversary-edition pan from Nordic Ware. Smaller pans, such as the Le Creuset mini Bundt pan, are also an option and are perfect for creating individual servings or bite-sized treats.
Handles are another feature to consider when choosing a Bundt pan. While they are not essential, handles make it easier to invert the pan and unmould the cake, especially when wearing bulky oven mitts. However, handles can make stacking multiple pans in a cupboard more difficult.
Krusteaz Pan: How Many Cups Does It Hold?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Bundt pan was designed by Nordic Ware co-founder David Dalquist in 1950.
The Bundt pan was designed by H. David Dalquist, the owner of Minnesota's Nordic Ware company.
The Bundt pan was designed to recreate traditional kugelhopf, a dense, ring-shaped cake.
The Bundt pan gained popularity in 1966 when a Bundt cake called the Tunnel of Fudge Cake placed second in the 17th annual Pillsbury Bake-Off.
The word "Bundt" is derived from the German word "bund", which translates to "bond" or "alliance".
