A Slice of Nostalgia: Cream Sherry Bundt Cake

Greasing the bundt pan and pouring in that golden batter always felt like the start of something special. This cream sherry bundt cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a cherished family tradition. I can still see my mom in the kitchen, pulling out her old-fashioned sherry cake recipe, mixing a box of yellow cake mix with instant vanilla pudding.

A golden brown bundt cake dusted with powdered sugar sits on a glass cake stand, surrounded by greenery and vintage silver teapots on a woven placemat.

She’d beat in eggs, vegetable oil, and her secret weapon: a cup of cream sherry (or sherry cooking wine when improvising). A teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg added a warm, spicy note that made our home smell heavenly. Even now, mixing these simple ingredients brings back memories of baking alongside my mom.

JUMP TO RECIPE

A golden-brown bundt cake dusted with powdered sugar sits on a glass cake stand, with a blurred background of decorative items and greenery.

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🍰 Cream Sherry Bundt Cake Recipe

This moist and flavorful cream sherry bundt cake is easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

Sherry Cake

A moist, tender bundt cake made with yellow cake mix, instant vanilla pudding, and a generous pour of cream sherry—this classic sherry wine cake is rich with nostalgic flavor and finished with a buttery sherry glaze that soaks into every bite.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword #sherrycake, #cake, #creamsherrycake, #dessert

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 21

Resting Time 30

Servings 12 slices

Calories 175kcal

Cost $6

Equipment

Mixer
1 measuring cup
1 set Measuring spoons
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Bundt pan

Ingredients

1 Box Yellow cake mix
1 Small box Instant Vanilla Pudding
3/4 Cup Cooking oil
4 Whole Eggs
1 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 Cup Pecans (Optional)

Rich Sherry Butter Glaze

1/4 Cup Butter
1/4 Cup Heavy cream (or evaporated milk)
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
4 tsp Cream Sherry
1/2 tsp Vanilla extract (optional)
1 pinch Salt
1 pinch Nutmeg

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Heat it up: Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your bundt pan.
Mix the magic: Add all ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix well on medium for 3-5 minutes. ( see detailed instructions below)
Optional: Add chopped pecans for a pecan sherry cake twist.
Pour batter into the bundt pan and tap on the counter to remove air bubbles.
Bake time: Bake for 45–55 minutes. It’s ready when a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool it down: Let the cake sit in the pan for 10-20 minutes, then gently flip it onto a rack or serving plate.
Glaze and enjoy: Poke holes in the cake while the it finishes cooling, whip up that buttery sherry glaze. Once the cake is warm—not hot—pour the glaze slowly over the top and let it drip down the sides. Give it a few minutes to set, then slice and serve!
You can also simply sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar if you choose not to use the glaze.

Instructions for Rich Sherry Butter Glaze

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and cream together, stirring until combined.
Remove from heat. Gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth and lump-free.
Stir in the cream sherry, vanilla extract, salt, and nutmeg. Adjust consistency by adding more powdered sugar if too thin, or a teaspoon of cream if too thick.
If desired, gently reheat the glaze for 1–2 minutes to blend flavors, but do not boil.
Pour or drizzle the warm glaze over the bundt cake, allowing it to seep into any holes and coat the outside.

Sherry cake glaze ingredients- A bottle of heavy whipping cream, a stick of butter, Harveys Bristol Cream sherry, a jar of sea salt, vanilla extract, ground nutmeg, and a box of C&H confectioners sugar on a white surface.

Instructions for sherry bundt cake recipe

Making this cream sherry cake is incredibly easy! You’ll have a delicious, moist dessert bursting with flavor with just a few simple steps.

Watch how easy It Is to make this cake!

A golden-brown Sherry Cake Bundt dusted with powdered sugar sits on a glass cake stand. Greenery decorates the background, and the text "As Simple as 123..." appears over the cake with a play button icon in the center.

1. Preheat & Prepare Pan:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a bundt pan thoroughly.

A fluted Bundt cake pan coated with a thin layer of crisco and then, even layer of white flour, sitting on a white marble surface.

2. Mix Batter:

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, cream sherry, vegetable oil, and nutmeg. Mix on low speed for 1 minute, then increase to medium speed for 3–5 minutes until the batter is smooth.

Mixing a Sherry Cake-A stand mixer with a wire whisk attachment holding flour, spices, eggs, and other baking ingredients in a stainless steel mixing bowl, ready to be mixed.

A stand mixer with a whisk attachment mixing a thick, creamy yellow batter in a metal bowl. Some flour is visible on the sides of the bowl.

3. Bake:

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes clean.

A light golden pound cake rises in a Bundt pan while baking in the oven, with a fluffy texture visible around the edges.

A close-up of a bundt cake being tested for doneness with a metal skewer. The cake is golden brown and still in its pan.

4. Cool:

Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10-20 minutes. Then, invert the pan to a cake plate and release the cake.

A golden-brown bundt cake sits in a metal bundt pan on a wooden trivet, with glass jars filled with white candies and other treats in the blurred background.

A glass cake stand is placed upside down, serving as a cover for a bundt cake, with its base acting as a handle. The setup sits on a white countertop near a jar of white candies and a white pitcher.

A gold, tulip-shaped Bundt cake sits on a clear glass cake stand atop a white countertop. The cake has a smooth, metallic finish and intricate petal-like designs.

5. Glaze:

While the cake is still warm (not hot), prepare the glaze, (see recipe card)poke holes in the cake with your cake tester, and pour the glaze over the cake. Allow the glaze to drip down the sides. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing.

A golden-brown bundt cake sits on a glass stand, with a "Cake Tester" stick inserted into the top. The background shows a tiled wall and a stovetop.

A freshly baked monkey bread coated in glaze sits on a glass cake stand with glaze dripping onto the plate, set on a stove.

Lastly, sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar over the cake; it adds a lovely touch.

A golden-brown Bundt cake topped with a light dusting of powdered sugar sits on a glass plate, with a creamy sauce pooled underneath.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Let the glaze set a few minutes before slicing. Enjoy a slice of this moist, festive sherry soaked cake with vanilla ice cream or fresh berries and whipped cream.

A slice of pound cake served on a white plate with two scoops of vanilla ice cream, with a leafy green garnish and silver teapots blurred in the background.

A slice of bundt cake with light glaze drizzled on top, served on a white plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Greenery and a rustic nest are blurred in the background.

Flavorful Variations of Sherry Bundt Cake

🍋 Lemon Sherry Cake

Add to Batter: 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
Add to Glaze: 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Optional: A few drops of lemon extract for extra zing

Flavor Profile: Bright and citrusy with a subtle tartness, this variation brings a sunny lift to the warm, nutty base of the cream sherry. The lemon cuts through the richness for a refreshing finish—ideal for spring brunches or tea parties.

🥜Pecan Sherry Cake

Add to Batter: ½ cup chopped pecans
Optional: Toast pecans beforehand for extra depth
Topping: Sprinkle extra pecans on top of the glaze for added texture

Flavor Profile: Buttery, cozy, and just a little nutty—this version leans into the comforting richness of a southern-style pecan cake. The toasted pecans enhance the earthy sweetness of the cream sherry, adding crunch and character to every bite. It’s a great holiday or fall twist, reminiscent of a nutty coffee cake but still very much a sherry-soaked cake at heart.

☕️ Coffee Cream Sherry Cake

Add to Batter: 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
Glaze: Replace part of the glaze liquid with coffee liqueur or cold espresso (mixed with heavy cream for a total of ¼ cup)
Topping: Dust with cocoa or cinnamon

Flavor Profile: Rich and bold, with coffee’s bittersweet edge enhancing the sweet sherry. Perfect for after-dinner desserts.

🥥 Coconut Cream Sherry Cake

Add to Batter: ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
Glaze: Use coconut cream or half coconut milk instead of heavy cream
Topping: Sprinkle toasted coconut on top

Flavor Profile: This tropical twist complements the warmth of the cream sherry. Sweet and creamy, it’s perfect for springtime celebrations.

🧊 Storage Tips for Cream Sherry Bundt Cake

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for 2–3 days.
Refrigerator: Keep for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature or gently warm before serving.
Freezer: Freeze slices or the whole cake for up to 2 months. Wrap well to prevent freezer burn.

A golden-brown Sherry Cake bundt, dusted with powdered sugar, sits on a glass cake stand with a clear dome lid against a light, blurred background.

Frequently Asked Questions

A small bottle of Kroger sherry cooking wine stands next to a large blue bottle of Harveys Bristol Cream sherry on a white surface with a light-colored panel background.

Q: Is sherry sweet or dry?

A: Sherry comes in both sweet and dry varieties. For baking—especially in classic recipes like cream sherry cake—sweet cream sherry(I like to use Harvey’s) is typically used. It adds a smooth, nutty, almost caramel-like richness that pairs beautifully with the vanilla pudding, nutmeg, and buttery glaze.
Dry sherry (sherry cooking wine) has a sharper, more savory flavor and is more commonly used in cooking savory dishes than desserts.

Q: Does the alcohol cook off?

A: By the time the cake is done baking, most of the alcohol content has evaporated due to the high heat.
Trace amounts can linger, especially in denser cakes or where alcohol is added later in the process (like in a sherry-glazed cake). That said, what sticks around is the flavor—those warm, nutty, slightly sweet notes that make this cake so special.
So, while you won’t have an effect from the alcohol from a slice of Mom’s bundt cake, you will get all the rich complexity that a good sherry dessert delivers.

Elegant navy blue flourishing calligraphic design featuring curved and looping lines, reminiscent of the intricate patterns you might find when you dye Easter eggs with silk ties.

🍰 More Delicious Dessert Recipes

If you enjoyed this Cream Sherry Bundt Cake, you might also love these delightful treats:

A white cake stand holds several glazed lemon ricotta cookies with lemon slices in the background, set outdoors with a blurred green fence and foliage—perfect alongside a slice of Sherry Cake for a delightful garden treat.

A glass mason jar mug filled with iced coffee, swirled with chocolate syrup, topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of syrup—perfectly reminiscent of the decadent flavors in Sherry Cake.

A close-up of a naked carrot cake with light frosting, topped with bright pink flowers and green leaves, displayed on a glass cake stand.

🍋 Lemon Ricotta Cookies with Glaze (Nordstrom Café Style)

Soft, zesty, and topped with a sweet glaze—these cookies are a citrus lover’s dream.

☕ Iced Mocha Macchiato (Starbucks Copycat)

A refreshing blend of rich espresso and chocolate, perfect for a midday pick-me-up.

🥕 Simply the Best Naked Carrot Cake

Moist, spiced, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting—this carrot cake is a classic favorite.

Wrapping Up

Baking Mom’s sherry bundt cake always brings me back to childhood. This simple yet nostalgic recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. Whether you’re sharing a slice over tea or celebrating a birthday, it’s bound to make every moment special.

There’s something timeless about a sherry cake recipe—especially one passed down with love. If you have a family version, I’d love to hear it. After all, the best cakes are the ones we share. Let’s keep the tradition alive, one moist, wine-kissed slice at a time.

A blue pushpin is next to handwritten text reading "Pin to Remember It!" on a white background, adding a crafty touch reminiscent of DIY Halloween place card holders for your spooky table setup.

A collage shows a sherry bundt cake on a table, a close-up of a slice drizzled with sauce, and a slice served with whipped cream. Text reads: "Sherry Cake Recipe—A cherished family tradition you will love.

More about me!

Hello, I’m Wendy – a dedicated homemaker with a deep passion for decorating, gardening, cooking, and crafting. I find joy in harmonizing beautiful elements to fashion a space that is both comfortable and inspiring. I will help you create a beautiful home, one project at a time.

Sherry Cake Recipe: a Slice of Sweet Nostalgia from Mom