The holiday season is a time for warmth, joy, and of course, delicious treats! If you're looking to add some extra sparkle to your festive gatherings, this collection of Christmas cakes offers a delightful array of flavors and designs that are sure to impress.
From classic spices to playful decorations, these cakes are perfect for feeding a crowd and spreading holiday cheer..
Table of Contents
Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Molasses Frosting
This gingerbread cake is a holiday favorite, boasting a rich flavor profile enhanced with unexpected ingredients like cocoa powder and fresh ginger.
The old-fashioned ermine frosting is lighter and less sweet than traditional buttercream, offering a perfect balance to the warm spices of the cake.
It's a comforting and aromatic treat that captures the essence of the season..
Pro Tip: Store in a cool, dry place to maintain its freshness for up to 4 days. The frosting can become firm when chilled, so allow it to soften at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Molasses Frosting
Decadent Chocolate Ganache Tart
Indulge in this seriously decadent chocolate ganache tart, perfect for any special occasion.
Its rich, chocolatey filling sits within a crisp chocolate crust, offering a luxurious texture with every bite.
Plus, with no-bake and gluten-free variations, it’s adaptable to many dietary needs and preferences..
Pro Tip: For a stunning presentation, garnish with shaved chocolate, fresh berries, or a dusting of cocoa powder just before serving.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Chocolate Ganache Tart
Rustic Plum Cake with Cardamom
This lovely plum cake offers a delightful balance of sweet cake and tart, juicy plums, infused with the warm, floral notes of cardamom.
Its rustic charm makes it perfect for a casual gathering or a cozy afternoon treat.
The natural sweetness of the fruit and the fragrant spices create a truly comforting dessert..
Pro Tip: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra touch of indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Rustic Plum Cake with Cardamom
Festive Eggnog Tres Leches Cake
This eggnog tres leches cake is a holiday showstopper, blending the creamy, moist texture of a classic tres leches with the festive warmth of eggnog.
Made with a convenient cake mix and topped with a smooth Cool Whip mixture, it's a beautifully presented dessert that's surprisingly easy to make..
Pro Tip: Allow the cake to sit for a few hours or overnight after adding the eggnog mixture to let the flavors meld beautifully for the best taste.
Get the Recipe: Festive Eggnog Tres Leches Cake
Red Velvet Flan Holiday Cake
Experience a truly unique dessert with this Red Velvet Flan Holiday Cake, a striking fusion of rich red velvet cake and a smooth, creamy flan.
The beautiful contrast in color and texture makes it a visually stunning centerpiece for any holiday table, offering a delightful twist on traditional holiday cakes..
Pro Tip: This cake benefits from chilling, so prepare it a day or two in advance for the best flavor and texture. Ensure it refrigerates for at least an hour before serving.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Flan Holiday Cake
Brown Sugar Caramel Pound Cake
This bundt cake offers a delightful caramel flavor enhanced by brown sugar, creating a tender, moist crumb.
Drizzled with a sweet caramel sauce, it’s a comforting and classic dessert perfect for any occasion.
The rich aroma and comforting sweetness make it an instant favorite..
Pro Tip: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan for 10-15 minutes before attempting to remove it to prevent breakage.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Caramel Pound Cake
Peppermint Candy Cane Bundt Cake
This festive Peppermint Candy Cane Bundt Cake is a delightful holiday treat, featuring a moist cake with a creamy peppermint filling and a rich candy cane cream cheese frosting.
Its charming appearance, adorned with crushed candy canes, makes it a visually appealing and delicious centerpiece for your holiday celebrations..
Pro Tip: For best results, frost the cake immediately after adding crushed peppermints to ensure they adhere well to the frosting.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Candy Cane Bundt Cake
Spiced Holiday Bundt Cake with Drips
Embrace the festive spirit with this beautiful Holiday Spice Cake, bursting with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, and a hint of orange zest.
Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that creates elegant drips, and decorated with sugared cranberries and rosemary, it's a stunning and flavorful cake for the holidays..
Pro Tip: Practice your icing drip technique on an overturned bowl before frosting the actual cake to achieve the perfect pourable yet thick consistency.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Holiday Bundt Cake with Drips
Holiday Wreath Pavlova Dessert
This Holiday Pavlova is a show-stopping meringue creation shaped like a festive wreath, offering a delightful contrast of crisp meringue shell and a soft, airy interior.
Topped with whipped cream, mascarpone, pomegranate arils, and sugared cranberries, it’s a beautiful and light dessert that’s perfect for any holiday gathering..
Pro Tip: Once baked and cooled, the meringue can be stored loosely covered in plastic wrap for up to 2 days before decorating.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Wreath Pavlova Dessert
Festive Christmas Layer Cake
This vibrant Christmas Cake features beautiful red, white, and green cake layers, creating a festive surprise inside.
Topped with a light and fluffy vanilla frosting and decorated with cake crumb sprinkles, it’s an easy yet impressive dessert made with convenient boxed cake mixes..
Pro Tip: Freeze the cake layers for 4-6 hours before frosting to create a crumb-free icing experience.
Get the Recipe: Festive Christmas Layer Cake
Blueberry Gingerbread Cake with Cookie Butter Filling
Celebrate the season with this classic gingerbread cake, elevated by a dreamy cookie butter whipped cream and blueberry filling.
The combination of warm gingerbread spices, sweet cookie butter, and tart blueberries creates a truly unique and delicious flavor experience.
It’s a moist, flavorful cake that’s a guaranteed hit for gingerbread lovers..
Pro Tip: Use Wilton Cake Release for an easy, crumb-free cake removal from the pan every time.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Gingerbread Cake with Cookie Butter Filling
Buttercream Christmas Wreath Cake
This beautiful Buttercream Christmas Wreath Cake transforms a simple red velvet cake into a festive holiday centerpiece.
Adorned with green frosting piped to resemble a wreath, and topped with a bowl of peppermints in the center, it’s a charming and delicious way to celebrate the season..
Pro Tip: Add sprinkles immediately after piping the stars onto the cake to ensure they stick well to the frosting.
Get the Recipe: Buttercream Christmas Wreath Cake
Elegant Cranberry Cake with Ermine Buttercream
This Cranberry Cake is a visually stunning dessert, perfect for special occasions or holidays.
It features moist vanilla cake layers filled with a homemade tart cranberry compote, all enrobed in a smooth ermine buttercream.
The simple yet elegant decoration with cranberries and rosemary adds a festive touch..
Pro Tip: Prepare the pudding base for the ermine buttercream up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge, bringing it back to room temperature before using.
Get the Recipe: Elegant Cranberry Cake with Ermine Buttercream
Christmas Eggnog Poke Cake
This Eggnog Poke Cake is a delightful and easy holiday treat, starting with a simple boxed cake mix infused with the rich, creamy flavor of eggnog.
The poke cake method ensures every bite is incredibly moist, with a luscious eggnog pudding filling and a fluffy whipped topping, making it a perfect festive dessert..
Pro Tip: Chill the cake for at least an hour before serving to allow the pudding and whipped topping to set properly for the best texture and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Eggnog Poke Cake
Classic Bacardi Rum Cake
A timeless classic, this Bacardi Rum Cake delivers an incredibly moist and flavor-packed experience, thanks to the addition of dark rum.
Made with convenient shortcuts like cake mix and instant pudding, it’s a breeze to prepare and results in a rich, melt-in-your-mouth dessert that’s perfect for any celebration..
Pro Tip: This cake is often considered even better the next day, as the cake absorbs more of the rum glaze, so consider making it ahead.
Get the Recipe: Classic Bacardi Rum Cake
Festive Eggnog Bundt Cake
Transport yourself to a winter wonderland with this moist and flavorful Eggnog Bundt Cake.
Infused with the warm spices of eggnog, this cake boasts a tender crumb and is often finished with a sweet glaze.
It's a perfect centerpiece for any holiday table, bringing a taste of cozy Christmas to every slice..
Pro Tip: For an extra festive touch, try adding chopped candied pecans or a dusting of nutmeg over the glaze.
Get the Recipe: Festive Eggnog Bundt Cake
Adorable Pandoro Christmas Tree Cake
This no-bake Pandoro Christmas Tree Cake is as charming as it is delicious! Utilizing a pre-made Pandoro cake, it's layered with a luscious limoncello mascarpone and whipped cream mixture.
Decorated with vibrant pomegranate seeds and pistachios, it truly resembles a festive Christmas tree, making dessert an art form..
Pro Tip: You can easily swap the limoncello, pistachios, and pomegranate seeds for other ingredients like berries or different nuts to customize the flavor and look.
Get the Recipe: Adorable Pandoro Christmas Tree Cake
Classic Tiramisu
Indulge in the rich and creamy layers of this classic Tiramisu.
Made with coffee-soaked ladyfingers and a decadent mascarpone cheese mixture, this no-bake Italian dessert offers a delightful balance of coffee, chocolate, and cream.
It's an elegant and beloved treat perfect for any festive occasion..
Pro Tip: For an authentic touch, ensure your ladyfingers are well-soaked but not soggy to maintain the perfect texture.
Get the Recipe: Classic Tiramisu
Festive Sugar Cookie Sheet Cake
Capture the essence of Christmas with this delightful Sugar Cookie Sheet Cake.
It tastes just like a freshly baked sugar cookie, topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting and festive sprinkles.
It's an easy and crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for holiday parties and a joy to make with kids..
Pro Tip: Decorate with crushed candy canes, mini gingerbread men, or other holiday candies for a personalized touch.
Get the Recipe: Festive Sugar Cookie Sheet Cake
Peppermint Christmas Bundt Cake
Brighten your holiday dessert table with this stunning Peppermint Christmas Bundt Cake.
Featuring a moist cake infused with peppermint and topped with a creamy peppermint frosting and crushed candies, this cake is a festive spectacle.
It's a delightful way to bring the cheerful flavors of the season to life..
Pro Tip: Transport the cake easily by frosting it on a small round piece of white cake cardboard that can fit underneath.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Christmas Bundt Cake
Easy Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake
Transform your leftover cranberry sauce into this delicious Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake.
Filled with the warm flavors of pecans and a sweet vanilla coffee glaze, it's adorned with sparkly candied cranberries for a festive finish.
This cake is ideal for holiday brunches or as a stunning centerpiece dessert..
Pro Tip: This cake is a fantastic way to use up leftover cranberry sauce, making it a sustainable and delicious holiday treat.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake
Rich Chocolate Ricotta Cake
Experience the delightful moistness and creamy texture of this Chocolate Ricotta Cake.
The addition of ricotta cheese, a beloved Italian baking tradition, creates a wonderfully tender crumb, while the cacao powder provides a deep, authentic chocolate flavor.
It's a simple yet sophisticated dessert that pairs beautifully with ice cream..
Pro Tip: For an extra Italian flair, serve a slice alongside another traditional Italian dessert like biscotti or gelato.
Get the Recipe: Rich Chocolate Ricotta Cake
Cranberry Upside-Down Bundt Cake
This Easy Cranberry Upside-Down Bundt Cake is a festive holiday dream.
Starting with a simple cake mix, it's topped with a sweet and tangy cranberry mixture that caramelizes beautifully.
The result is a moist, flavorful cake that's perfect for Christmas gatherings, offering a delightful balance of tart and sweet..
Pro Tip: To ensure the cake releases perfectly, only let it cool in the pan for exactly 10 minutes before inverting.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Upside-Down Bundt Cake
Authentic Italian Almond Cake
Discover the simple elegance of this Italian Almond Cake.
Made with almond flour, it boasts a wonderfully tender crumb and a delicate, authentic almond flavor, enhanced by a topping of toasted almonds.
This cake is a versatile classic, perfect for any occasion and pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea..
Pro Tip: Using blanched almond flour yields the best texture and flavor, but you can also make your own by grinding blanched almonds.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Italian Almond Cake
Cranberry Orange Cake with Orange Zest Frosting
This Cranberry Orange Cake is a burst of holiday flavor, featuring a bright cranberry jam filling and a decadent orange zest frosting.
The combination of tart cranberries and sweet, zesty orange creates a perfectly balanced taste.
It's a beautiful two-layer cake that's sure to impress at any Christmas celebration..
Pro Tip: For easier frosting, pop the mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 15 minutes before making frosting with heavy cream.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cake with Orange Zest Frosting
Gingerbread Yule Log
Embrace the festive spirit with this beautiful Gingerbread Yule Log.
A spiced gingerbread sponge cake is rolled with a rum-infused cream cheese frosting and decorated to resemble a rustic log, complete with rosemary and cranberries.
It’s a show-stopping dessert that captures the magic of the holidays..
Pro Tip: To make sugared cranberries and rosemary, dip them in a sugar syrup and then roll in sugar for a sparkling, festive garnish.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Yule Log
Chocolate Peppermint Mini Bundt Cakes
These Chocolate Peppermint Mini Bundt Cakes are the ultimate individual holiday treat.
With a rich chocolate cake base and a sweet peppermint frosting, these mini cakes are perfectly portioned and bursting with Christmas cheer.
They are wonderfully easy to make and sure to be a hit at parties or bake sales..
Pro Tip: For an extra boost of peppermint flavor, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract directly into the chocolate cake batter.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Peppermint Mini Bundt Cakes
Festive Christmas Swirl Bundt Cake
Create a stunning holiday centerpiece with this festive Christmas Swirl Bundt Cake.
This beautiful vanilla cake features vibrant red and green swirls, creating a festive pattern that's as delightful to look at as it is to eat.
Topped with a marshmallow fluff frosting, it’s a truly show-stopping dessert for any celebration..
Pro Tip: A clear vanilla extract is recommended to ensure the batter colors remain vibrant and true.
Get the Recipe: Festive Christmas Swirl Bundt Cake
Sourdough Gingerbread Cake with Cranberries
Experience the cozy, spiced flavors of the holidays with this Sourdough Gingerbread Cake.
The sourdough discard adds a unique tang and moisture, perfectly complemented by warming gingerbread spices and the bright bursts of fresh cranberries.
This cake is wonderfully moist and flavorful, making it an ideal festive treat..
Pro Tip: To prevent cranberries from sinking, roughly chop them before folding them into the cake batter.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Gingerbread Cake with Cranberries
Mini Santa Belly Cakes
These adorable mini cakes are shaped like Santa's belly, complete with a black belt and buckle.
They're a playful and charming addition to any Christmas dessert spread, easy to make, and guaranteed to bring smiles.
Using pre-made cakes makes them a super quick and fun activity for kids and adults alike..
Pro Tip: Store decorated cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; refrigerating can cause the frosting to harden.
Get the Recipe: Mini Santa Belly Cakes
Funfetti Crunch Cake
Get ready for a no-bake delight with this Funfetti Crunch Cake! It's a delightful mix of creamy filling, sweet sprinkles, and satisfying crunch from pretzels and vanilla wafers.
The festive colors make it a perfect dessert for any celebration, and its easy preparation means less time in the kitchen and more time for festive fun..
Pro Tip: For a different flavor profile, swap the peppermint extract for almond or orange extract, and customize sprinkles for any holiday.
Get the Recipe: Funfetti Crunch Cake
Chocolate Pocky Trees Cake
Indulge in this incredibly moist and fudgy chocolate cake, elevated by the tender crumb from sour cream.
What truly makes it special are the charming chocolate Pocky sticks transformed into festive Christmas trees, creating a beautiful and edible centerpiece for your holiday table.
It's a sophisticated yet approachable chocolate lover's dream..
Pro Tip: Ensure all cold ingredients are at room temperature before mixing for the best cake texture.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Pocky Trees Cake
Classic Candy Cane Cake
Experience the refreshing taste of peppermint with this beautifully swirled red and white candy cane cake.
Topped with a creamy peppermint buttercream and a generous sprinkle of crushed candy canes, it’s a festive treat that embodies the spirit of Christmas.
The slight swirl in the batter adds a lovely visual appeal, making it as delightful to look at as it is to eat..
Pro Tip: Freeze leftover frosted cake slices for up to a month for a delightful festive treat later on.
Get the Recipe: Classic Candy Cane Cake