If you’ve ever found yourself daydreaming about the perfect fall dessert that brings both nostalgia and incredible pumpkin flavor, I’ve got just the thing for you. It’s The Great Bundt-kin, Charlie Brown Recipe is a showstopper of a cake that combines all those cozy autumn vibes with a little animated charm—trust me, this pumpkin Bundt cake is fan-freaking-tastic, and I can’t wait to share every delicious detail with you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Double Bundt Fun: You bake two perfectly spiced Bundt cakes that stack to create a showstopping centerpiece.
- Rich Pumpkin Flavor: Pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice blend for that quintessential fall taste you crave.
- Creative Frosting Decorations: Vibrant orange and green frosting with sprinkles and candy add a playful, festive touch.
- Nostalgic Charm: Perfect for Halloween, this cake brings back the joy of “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” for all ages.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in It’s The Great Bundt-kin, Charlie Brown Recipe plays a vital role in crafting the moist, flavorful Bundt cake you’ll adore. While the cake mixes keep things easy, the pumpkin puree and spices personify fall’s essence, and the frosting and decorations bring it all to life.
- Cake Mix: White or yellow cake mix works best for a tender crumb and neutral base to showcase pumpkin.
- Instant Pudding Mix: Vanilla or pumpkin pudding adds extra moistness and richness.
- Eggs: Large eggs give structure and lift—make sure they’re at room temperature for best results.
- Pumpkin Puree: Not pumpkin pie filling—use pure pumpkin for authentic flavor and texture.
- Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist without overpowering other flavors.
- Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and keeps the crumb soft.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: The warm blend is essential for that signature fall flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors with a sweet note.
- Vanilla or Cream Cheese Frosting: Store-bought works fine here; it’s colorful additions that steal the show.
- Food Coloring: Orange and green to create those festive Halloween hues.
- Cake Ice Cream Cone: A quirky topper that looks like the Great Pumpkin’s hat—your chance to get creative.
- Sprinkles and Halloween Candy: For fun decorating that kids and adults alike will adore.
Variations
I love how It’s The Great Bundt-kin, Charlie Brown Recipe lends itself to little tweaks and personal touches. Here’s how I often switch things up or accommodate dietary needs without losing the cake’s magic.
- Pumpkin Spice Upgrade: Sometimes I add a pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg for a deeper spice profile; it feels extra cozy that way.
- Dairy-Free Version: I’ve subbed sour cream with coconut yogurt and used dairy-free frosting—still delightful, especially for guests with allergies.
- Chocolate Drizzle: My family goes crazy when I add a thin drizzle of melted chocolate over the orange frosting for a festive twist.
- Mini Bundts: If you want to serve individually, make the batter in mini Bundt pans—perfect for parties and sharing.
How to Make It’s The Great Bundt-kin, Charlie Brown Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix Your Batter
The first thing I do is get my oven preheated to 350°F and grease a 12-cup Bundt pan really well with cooking spray—this cake sticks if you don’t! In a large bowl, I combine one box each of cake mix and pudding mix, add four eggs, one cup pumpkin puree, oil, sour cream, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and half a cup of water. I use a stand mixer on low speed or an electric hand mixer to blend everything until just combined. Don’t rush—scrape down the sides to make sure all the spices and pumpkin get mixed in evenly. Then, pour the batter into your greased pan and smooth the top with a spatula. This part sets the stage for your monster pumpkin Bundt!
Step 2: Bake and Cool Your Cakes
Bake the first cake for about 40 to 50 minutes—your tester should come out clean when it’s ready. I usually keep mine in for the full 50 minutes just to be safe. Let the cake cool for 15 minutes in the pan before flipping it onto a wire rack to cool completely—this avoids any crumbling or breakage. Clean your Bundt pan thoroughly and repeat the process with your second batch of ingredients to make the second cake. It’s the double cake magic that really makes this recipe stand out.
Step 3: Color Your Frosting and Assemble
While the cakes are cooling, I take about 1¾ cups of frosting and mix in orange food coloring until I get a vibrant pumpkin hue—go bold with this! Level the flat bottom of each cooled cake with a serrated knife to ensure they stack nicely. Place the first cake rounded side up on your serving platter, spread it thickly with about ¾ cup of your orange frosting, then carefully add the second cake, aligning the edges perfectly. For extra stability—especially if transporting—I love to secure them with dowels or even sturdy straws. Chill the cakes for 15 minutes so everything sets.
Step 4: Create the Great Pumpkin Topper
Next, mix a small bowl of frosting with green food coloring to create a fresh, grassy shade. Spread this green frosting over your ice cream cone to mimic the iconic pumpkin’s “hat.” If you’re feeling festive, sprinkle some green sugar sprinkles over the cone for texture. This little cone is such a fun whimsical touch that I find guests always ask about.
Step 5: Drip and Decorate
Microwave your leftover orange frosting in short increments until it’s pourable—not too hot, just right for dripping. Pour the frosting slowly over the top cake in circular motions to get that playful drip effect down the sides. Don’t hesitate to add orange sprinkles or even a scattering of Halloween candy to the top and cake holes for extra goodness. Finish by placing the frosted ice cream cone upside down on the top—the perfect punchline to your Bundt masterpiece.
Pro Tips for Making It’s The Great Bundt-kin, Charlie Brown Recipe
- Bundt Pan Preparation: Spray the pan generously and consider dusting lightly with flour for easy release—this cake is delicate.
- Frosting Temperature: Warm your frosting just enough to drip smoothly but avoid overheating to prevent it from becoming thin and runny.
- Stacking Stability: Use dowels or straws trimmed to cake height to prevent shifting, especially if you’re moving the cake around.
- Leveling Cakes: Don’t skip leveling the flat side off the cakes—it’s key to an even, professional-looking stack.
How to Serve It’s The Great Bundt-kin, Charlie Brown Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a fan of keeping it fun and festive, so I usually garnish with orange and green sprinkles to tie in the frosting colors. Adding a handful of small Halloween-themed candies into the holes of the cake adds surprise sweetness and texture, which always brings smiles, especially from the kids!
Side Dishes
Even though this cake is the star, I like pairing it with a light pumpkin spice latte or a warm apple cider to amp up the seasonal feeling. It’s also great alongside a simple bowl of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent touch without overwhelming the pumpkin flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
For Halloween parties, I’ve placed mini Jack-o’-lantern candles and autumn leaves around the cake platter to enhance the spooky, festive vibe. I once even crafted tiny fondant ghosts to perch on the icing cone, which was such a hit for family gatherings. Presentation makes it feel extra special, and this Bundt cake is versatile enough to let your creativity shine.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After serving, I tightly cover the cake with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container and keep it refrigerated. It stays moist and flavorful for about 3 to 4 days, which means you can enjoy some slices later without sacrificing taste.
Freezing
If I want to save slices or even a whole cake for later, I wrap portions well in plastic wrap and then in foil before freezing. When thawed in the fridge overnight, the texture remains surprisingly fresh. Just remember to frost after thawing, as the icing can look and feel different once frozen.
Reheating
To bring leftover slices back to life, I warm them briefly in the microwave—about 10 seconds does the trick—just enough to soften without drying. It’s amazing how this little step revives the pumpkin spices and moistness.
FAQs
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Can I make It’s The Great Bundt-kin, Charlie Brown Recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix that’s good for Bundt cakes. Make sure your pudding mix and other ingredients are also labeled gluten-free to avoid any issues.
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What if I don’t have an ice cream cone for the topper?
No worries! You can get creative by shaping fondant or modeling chocolate into a hat, or even use a small cupcake upside down for a similar effect. It’s all about the fun look, so use what you have.
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Can I make just one Bundt cake instead of two?
You sure can! Just halve the recipe and bake a single Bundt cake. While you won’t get the stacked effect, it will still be delicious and festive.
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How do I prevent the frosting from melting or sliding off?
Make sure your cakes are completely cool before frosting, and chill the cake after assembly to help the frosting set. Also, don’t overheat your drippy frosting—warm it just until pourable to avoid sliding.
Final Thoughts
Making It’s The Great Bundt-kin, Charlie Brown Recipe is like wrapping yourself in a cozy pumpkin spice blanket—warm, festive, and a little whimsical. This cake never fails to brighten up my autumn celebrations, and I’m sure once you try it, you’ll find it becomes a seasonal staple in your kitchen too. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let’s bring the Great Pumpkin spirit to life in your own home. You won’t regret it—promise!
PrintIt’s The Great Bundt-kin, Charlie Brown Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes (including cooling and assembly time)
- Yield: 20 – 24 servings
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive and delicious pumpkin-flavored Bundt cake inspired by the beloved Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. This layered Bundt cake features moist pumpkin spice-infused cake layers baked to perfection, stacked and frosted with colorful vanilla or cream cheese frosting, and decorated with vibrant orange and green accents to create a fun holiday centerpiece that’s perfect for Halloween celebrations.
Ingredients
CAKE
- Cooking spray
- 2 (15.25-oz.) boxes white or yellow cake mix, divided
- 2 (3.4-oz.) boxes instant vanilla or pumpkin pudding, divided
- 8 large eggs, divided
- 2 cups pumpkin puree, divided
- 2/3 cup vegetable oil, divided
- 1/2 cup sour cream, divided
- 3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, divided
- 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract, divided
- 1 cup water, divided (1/2 cup per batch)
ASSEMBLY
- 2 1/2 cups plus 3 tbsp. store-bought vanilla or cream cheese frosting (from two 16-oz. containers), divided
- Orange food coloring
- Green food coloring
- 1 cake ice cream cone
- Green and orange sprinkles (optional)
- Halloween candy (optional)
- 2 to 3 (12″) dowels or straws (optional, for securing layers)
Instructions
- Prepare Batter: Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a 12-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine 1 box of cake mix, 1 box of instant pudding, 4 eggs, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup water. Beat on low speed until fully combined, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
- Bake First Cake Layer: Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Second Batter and Bake: Wipe out the Bundt pan and repeat the mixing process with the remaining ingredients: 1 box cake mix, 1 box instant pudding, 4 eggs, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1/3 cup oil, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup water. Bake this batter as before and allow the cake to cool completely.
- Color Frosting: Spoon 1 3/4 cups of frosting into a heatproof 2-cup measuring cup. Add orange food coloring and mix until the desired orange shade is achieved.
- Assemble the Cake Layers: Using a large serrated knife, level the rounded bottoms of both cooled cakes to create flat surfaces. Place one cake smooth side up on a platter and spread 3/4 cup of the orange frosting evenly over it. Place the second cake on top, aligning the edges. Secure the layers with dowels or straws if desired, trimming them as needed. Refrigerate the assembled cake for 15 minutes to set.
- Decorate Ice Cream Cone: Mix 3 tablespoons of frosting with green food coloring in a small bowl to achieve a vibrant green color. Spread the green frosting all over the cake ice cream cone and decorate with green sprinkles if using.
- Drip Frosting: Microwave the remaining orange frosting in 3-second increments, stirring between each, until just pourable (approximately 10 seconds total). Slowly pour the orange frosting over the top of the cake in a circular motion, allowing it to drip down the sides for an elegant effect. Decorate with orange sprinkles if desired.
- Add Candy Fillings and Top Cone: Fill any holes in the cake with Halloween candy if using. Finally, place the frosted ice cream cone upside down on top of the cake to create the iconic pumpkin shape.
Notes
- Ensure cakes are completely cooled before assembly and frosting to prevent melting.
- Use dowels or straws inside the cake to stabilize layers and prevent sliding, especially if transporting.
- The cake ice cream cone top adds a fun decorative touch and mimics a pumpkin stem.
- Customize the amount of food coloring to achieve your preferred brightness for orange and green frosting.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximate)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg