Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake

Step 1

Set the oven to 350°F and wait until the indicator light or beep tells you it has finished preheating, about 10 minutes. While waiting, lightly coat the inside of a 10-inch bundt pan with butter, making sure to cover all the nooks and ridges.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together 1.5 teaspoons of ground cinnamon and 0.5 cup of sugar, stirring with a spoon until the cinnamon and sugar are evenly distributed with no streaks. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large bowl, add 0.5 cup softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat for 2 minutes until the mixture looks pale and fluffy like whipped cream, scraping down the bowl sides halfway through.

Step 4

Crack the 2 eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, beating on medium speed for 30 seconds after each egg to fully combine, scraping down the bowl sides each time.

Step 5

In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1.5 teaspoons baking powder, and 0.5 teaspoon salt until no lumps remain.

Step 6

Pour the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula, using an under-and-over folding motion, until no white flour streaks are visible—about 20 strokes.

Step 7

Spread half the cake batter evenly across the bottom of the prepared bundt pan using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.

Step 8

Sprinkle the reserved cinnamon-sugar mixture in an even layer across the batter, leaving a 0.5-inch border from the edges.

Step 9

Pour the remaining cake batter on top of the cinnamon-sugar layer, using the spatula to gently spread it in an even layer without disturbing the swirl.

Step 10

Place the bundt pan on the middle rack of the 350°F oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the thickest part of the cake (avoiding the swirl) comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 11

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire cooling rack or kitchen counter for 10 minutes—the cake will firm up enough to turn out.

Step 12

Run a thin knife blade around the inside edge of the pan, tilting and rotating the pan to free the cake from all sides, including the center post.

Step 13

Place a cake plate upside down over the bundt pan, then flip both together in one quick motion so the cake lands cake-side-up on the plate. Lift off the pan.

Step 14

Let the cake cool to room temperature on the plate, about 30 minutes, before slicing and serving.