This cream sherry bundt cake is my favorite part of the holiday season. It’s simple to make, using only six ingredients. Before serving, it is slightly dusted with powdered sugar.

This cream sherry bundt cake is my favorite holiday cake recipe!

The cake always turns out super light, moist, and delicious! 

I know that’s a lot of “super” qualities, but it’s also the superstar of the holiday baking season. 

The best part is that this recipe is “semi-homemade,” so it doesn’t take too much time to prepare. All you need is a yellow cake mix, vanilla pudding, cream sherry, and some freshly grated nutmeg. 

My favorite way of serving this cake is lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar, but you can also top it with a glaze or fluffy frosting. 

What type of cake mix should I use?

I typically buy a 15.25-ounce yellow cake mix. 

I’m not loyal to any brand, so I typically choose between Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, and Pillsbury, choosing the cheapest one. 

In a pinch, I have used a “butter” cake mix before, and it’s worked out lovely. 

Can I use a different flavor of instant pudding?

Yes, but in my opinion, the vanilla blends best with the flavor of the cake mix and the cream sherry. 

If you wanted to try using a different flavor of instant pudding, it would be an easy 1-for-1 switch but could change the final taste of the cake.

What is cream sherry?

Cream sherry is the sweet version of sherry, an alcoholic beverage. Don’t worry. I have served this cake to my whole family and found no issues with the alcohol being cooked/baked out. 

The best part about cream sherry is that it’s very shelf-stable, so one bottle will last me years of making cakes. Even though the name suggests that it might be creamy in texture, it is not. It contains no dairy or emulsifiers. 

When you pour, it should be a dark-colored, sweet-smelling liquor. 

Where can I find cream sherry?

Since cream sherry is an alcoholic beverage, you must buy it wherever alcoholic beverages are sold in your state. It is typically very cheap and should not cost more than $10. 

Just make sure to buy cream sherry instead of dry sherry. They are similar, but the cream sherry is sweeter. 

Can I use something else instead of cream sherry?

I have not tried using anything else in this cake, so I cannot make a recommendation for sure. 

Adding toppings

Shortly before serving, I like to sprinkle my cake with a light layer of powdered sugar. 

The powdered sugar gives it a small bite of sweetness without being cloyingly sweet. 

If you want more sweetness, you can make a simple vanilla bean glaze or cover it with fluffy cream cheese frosting.

Storing bundt cake

I keep my cake at room temperature, covered by plastic wrap or foil. 

This cake is very moist, so it can stay fresh for up to 5 days. However, it typically never lasts that long in my home. I cannot stop snacking on it! 

More cake recipes

• Want a tasty layer cake? Try my Gingerbread Layer Cake
• Need a real showstopper? Try my Christmas Piecaken
• Love an easy dessert? Try my Caramel Apple Dump Cake
• Craving an easy cake? Try my Vanilla Cranberry Buttermilk Cake