Vanilla Bundt Cake with Halloween Candy Bits

I have a big bowl that I normally keep snacks and fruit in. But around Halloween time it is filled with candy instead. Lots and lots of candy. Not that I (or my waist line) need it, we live in an apartment and have no trick or treaters.

Instead I buy it to be festive.
And to tempt me.
And to bake with, of course.

I got a bundt pan last week (can you believe I didn't have one?) and knew I wanted to make a vanilla bundt cake over the weekend. When I saw how much Halloween candy I had left over I decided to throw it in, otherwise I was going to graze on candy all night.

What is your candy of choice? I love it all, seriously. I know I'm bad! But if I had to rank my top favorite candy it would go in this order: M&Ms, Butterfinger, Reeses, Take 5 and Kit Kat. Oh and everything I just mentioned is in this cake...... and then some!

Vanilla Bundt Cake with Halloween Candy
yield: one bundt pan, any size/shape

1 stick Butter, room temperature
1 cup Sugar
1 Egg, room temperature
2 Egg Whites, room temperature
3/4 cup Milk
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 cups AP Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup Halloween Candy, chopped
(I used Whoppers, Take 5, Reeses, Reeses Whipps, M&Ms, Kit Kat, Butterfinger)

preheat oven to 350 degrees

1. Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg/egg whites and mix until fully combined.
2. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking power and salt. Set aside.
3. Add the milk and vanilla extract to the egg moisture, mix until fully combined. The mixture may look curdled, don't worry it's not.
4. Add your dry ingredients and mix until just fully combined.
5. Chop up your candy ahead of time and add the candy bits to the cake batter and fold until combined. Pour in a prepared bundt pan and bake 40 minutes. (Mine was done in 30min, though I got feedback someone else's took 50min, just watch it and test with a toothpick if necessary!) Top with powdered sugar.

Even if I don't add candy next time, this vanilla bundt cake recipe is a keeper. The cake was very moist and flavorful and had a great, crispy crust. (I am already imagining making it again but adding a strawberry sauce and whipped cream. Hot Dang that sounds good!)

Each candy that I added could be tasted in the cake too. Sometimes my bite tasted like malt and peanut butter (that would be Whoppers and Reeces) or it was crunchy and chocolatey (that would be a Take 5 with Kit Kat and M&M's). No matter the combination, you can't go wrong with this cake.