18 Christmas Cake Ideas to Make Every Day of Your Season Sweet

These festive holiday cakes will put the finishing touch on your Christmas dinner menu.

chocolate bundt cake topped with ganache and peppermint bark
Photo: Carson Downing

Enjoy our assortment of indulgent Christmas cake recipe ideas perfect for your next get-together. From elegant layered creations and traditional cake rolls to creamy cheesecakes and mini Christmas cakes, each treat in this collection will make your holiday season sweeter.

01 of 18

Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake

Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake

Chocolate and mint are matches in holiday flavor heaven. Here, the dark chocolate Bundt cake gets artistic Christmas cake decorations via crushed candy canes or peppermint candies.

02 of 18

Wreath Cake

Wreath Cake
Hannah Bigot

Wonderful with just the vanilla sour cream topping, vanilla cake is transformed into a sensational treat with the addition of berries and a shimmery strawberry jam coating. A white chocolate bow rounds out these Christmas cake decorations to make it look like a wreath!

03 of 18

Apple-Maple Spice Cake

Bundt Apple Maple Spice Cake drizzled with maple-caramel sauce
Blaine Moats

Make this Christmas apple cake extra special by using a geometric Bundt pan. Filled with favorite holiday flavors like nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon, this perfect-for-a-crowd dessert serves 12. Top the finished cake with a rich caramel apple sauce.

04 of 18

Hot Cocoa Brownie Cake

Hot Cocoa Brownie Cake

Don't be fooled by these pillowy, elegant Christmas cake decorations: Preparation of this dessert is a cinch thanks to its brownie-mix base. Just cook according to package directions and top with dollops of our homemade marshmallow-coffee frosting.

05 of 18

Citrus Tannenbaum Sheet Cake

Citrus Tannenbaum Sheet Cake

A Christmas tree made out of candied citrus slices will bring a smile to the faces of adults and children alike. The real joy, however, comes from the moist traditional Christmas cake with a hint of citrus that lies beneath.

06 of 18

Hazelnut Truffle Cake

Hazelnut Truffle Cake
Jason Donnelly

This flourless torte is rich and spirited thanks to the flavor it gains from Frangelico and a chocolaty hazelnut spread. A boozy whipped cream and chocolate-hazelnut drizzle make for pretty Christmas cake decorations.

07 of 18

Mocha Bûche de Noël

Mocha Buche de Noel
Andy Lyons

Bring back a holiday classic! This traditional Christmas cake includes rolled chocolate cake, cream cheese frosting, and decorative sugared cranberries for the ultimate holiday dessert.

08 of 18

Dulce de Leche Cake

Dulce de Leche Cake
Andy Lyons

Kick your classic white cake mix up a notch with shredded orange peel and layers of creamy dulce de leche. Coat with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramelized sugar for a holiday decorated cake that is sure to wow guests.

09 of 18

Bourbon-Chocolate Tipsy Cake

bourbon-chocolate tipsy bundt cake
Blaine Moats

Bourbon and coffee crystals add depth of flavor to this super moist, adults-only Christmas cake recipe. Bake the cake up to two days in advance, so all that's left is to make and drizzle the sauce over the top the day it's served.

10 of 18

Coconut Layer Cake

Coconut Layer Cake
Jason Donnelly

For all of you coconut fans, this winter white option is bursting with the sweet and fruity ingredient. Shredded coconut adds texture to the traditional Christmas cake's filling, while toasted coconut chips garnish the lovely creme fraiche frosting.

11 of 18

Harvest Carrot Cake with Skillet Fruit

Harvest Carrot Cake with Skillet Fruit
Andy Lyons

anned pumpkin or mashed sweet potato are the perfect seasonal addition to classic carrot cake. Walnuts, homemade buttercream frosting, and a skillet fruit topping complete this piled-high final course.

12 of 18

Butterscotch Marble Cake

Butterscotch Marble Cake
Blaine Moats

Surprise! This showy cake starts with a mix. Butterscotch pudding makes it moist, while homemade chocolate icing increases the sweetness of this easy Christmas cake.

13 of 18

Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cornmeal Cake

Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cornmeal Cake

Packed with pecans, cranberries, and seasoned apples, this Christmas fruit cake recipe is showy and sweet. We can't blame you if you never go back to the original.

14 of 18

Red Velvet Cake Roll

Red Velvet Cake Roll
Jason Donnelly

To keep this light-but-luscious Christmas log cake from cracking, roll it up with the filling before it cools. This ensures a beautiful red velvet cake spiral.

15 of 18

Dark Chocolate-Raspberry Cakes

Dark Chocolate-Raspberry Cakes

Single-serving cakes are an easy dessert option sure to please holiday guests. Chocolate mini Christmas cakes are filled with fresh raspberries and glazed with an ultra-rich icing. You can also opt for Christmas cupcakes if you want to go the individual-serving route.

16 of 18

Persimmon Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

persimmon spice cake

Kelsey Hansen

Piles of fluffy cream cheese frosting take this Christmas cake idea totally over the top. Garnish the spice cake with dried persimmon slices and chill for up to three days before serving.

17 of 18

Pumpkin Tiramisu Layer Cake

layered spice cake covered in white frosting on white and gold cake stand
Carson Downing

Transform classic tiramisu into a pumpkin spice layer cake that's fit for a crowd. This Christmas cake recipe needs at least two hours of chill time so plan accordingly before serving.

18 of 18

Triple-Chocolate Cake with Peppermint Ganache

chocolate bundt cake topped with ganache and peppermint bark
Carson Downing

Homemade peppermint bark is a festive topper for this chocolate Christmas cake. Echo the flavors of the candy with a chocolate peppermint ganache frosting and bittersweet chocolate cake.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles