Bake with the flavors of gingerbread, cranberry, and peppermint.
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Christmas cookies and even pies tend to get all the recognition during the holidays, but there are other Christmas desserts that are worthy of your attention, too. That's why we're turning our focus to these Christmas cake recipes! After all, what better way to end a sweet celebration by making it, well, even sweeter? These show-stopping cake recipes come in all shapes and sizes, whether you're making a sheet cake, Bundt cake, layered cake, or even a fancy yule log cake.
Here, you’ll find tons of Christmas cake ideas that will wow your family, friends, and other guests. Each one is filled with holiday flavors—including peppermint, gingerbread, cranberry, and even a cake that tastes just like pecan pie. Plus, there are sweet ideas featuring chocolate, caramel, and coconut. We've also included a fruit cake for you traditionalists out there. When it comes to Christmas cakes, the options for flavors really are endless.
And if decorating a cake stresses you out, don't worry! You don't have to be a pro baker to make Ree Drummond's simple chocolate sheet cake or her mother-in-law's recipe for a Christmas rum cake. Sometimes all you need are some Christmas sprinkles and voila! It's a masterpiece! But whichever you choose, just be sure to save a slice and a glass of eggnog for Santa to enjoy, too. He'll probably be so grateful to see something other than cookies when he comes down the chimney. 😉
1
Chocolate Bundt Cake
It's always the right time for a classic chocolate Bundt cake. But top the layer of ganache with some festive sprinkles, and you've got yourself a very merry holiday version!
Get the Chocolate Bundt Cake recipe.
2
Candy Cane Cake
It doesn't get much more festive that this gorgeous cake! And guess what? You can spend a little more time decorating because you can use a boxed cake mix to save time.
Get Ree's Candy Cane Cake recipe.
3
Tiramisu Cake
Tiramisu means "pick me up" in Italian, a nod to the coffee infused in the layers (and probably the sugar, let's be honest!). Isn't a jolt of caffeine during the crazy holiday season exactly what you need? Thought so.
Get the Tiramisu Cake recipe.
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4
Apple Cider Doughnut Cake
Sugar, spice, and everything nice: That's what the holiday season is all about! This moist cake tastes just like the treats from your local orchard, except you're in the comfort of your own home and can eat as many slices as you want.
Get the Apple Cider Doughnut Cake recipe.
5
Coca-Cola Cake
Why not have a slice of nostalgia for the holidays? This classic cake is light, fluffy, and delicious. And if you top it with seasonal sprinkles, it's festive, too!
Get the Coca-Cola Cake recipe.
6
Olive Oil Cake
Though not fancy, an olive oil cake might be just the answer you're looking for when searching for a holiday dessert. It's subtly sweet, making it ideal when you have a lot of other sweets and heavier foods to eat throughout the festivities.
Get the Olive Oil Cake recipe.
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7
Mocha Mug Cake
Maybe you forgot to make dessert, or ran out of time, or just have a craving for something that you need to have ASAP. We get it! That's why Ree made this ten-minute mug cake recipe that you simply pop in the microwave!
Get Ree's Mocha Mug Cake recipe.
8
Chocolate Raspberry Cake
A towering layer cake is impressive as it is. But make it extra decadent and sprinkle chocolate curls on top and you've got yourself one of the most impressive Christmas desserts!
Get the Chocolate Raspberry Cake recipe.
9
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
If you ever need an excuse to have cake for breakfast, Christmas morning is it! Between the moist cake and the crumbly crunch of the streusel, we won't blame you for going back for a second slice.
Get the Sour Cream Coffee Cake recipe.
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10
Chocolate Peppermint Sheet Cake
A simple yet delicious sheet cake gets a holiday kick thanks to peppermint. There's extract in the chocolate cake itself and then, of course, it gets a sprinkle of crushed candy on top to decorate.
Get Ree's Chocolate Peppermint Sheet Cake recipe.
11
Eclair Cake
This chocolate treat tastes just like it came from a French bakery! It's layered with graham crackers, creamy filling, and velvety chocolate ganache.
Get the Eclair Cake recipe.
12
German Chocolate Cake
The holiday season is a great excuse to bake something extra fancy. German chocolate cake takes a bit of patience to make, but wow, is it worth every delicious bite!
Get the German Chocolate Cake recipe.
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13
Christmas Cranberry Cake
This vanilla cake is studded with cranberries for sweet-tart flavor. The tangy cream cheese frosting and sugared cranberries make it even more festive for the holidays.
Get the Christmas Cranberry Cake recipe.
14
Gingerbread Cake
If you love gingerbread cookies, this cake is for you! It's loaded with the same warm spices, but it also has a fluffy lemon cream cheese frosting that's out of this world!
Get the Gingerbread Cake recipe.
15
Peppermint Cheesecake
We didn't think a classic creamy cheesecake could get better, but Ree has taught us otherwise! Make a chocolate crust, top it with ganache, and sprinkle on some crushed candies. There's also peppermint perfuming the cake layer itself!
Get Ree's Peppermint Cheesecake recipe.
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16
Christmas Rum Cake
This cake is a tradition at the Drummond family Christmas thanks to Ladd's mom. It's simple, festive, and soaked in rum—what could be better than that?!
Get Ree's Christmas Rum Cake recipe.
17
Chocolate Yule Log Cake
This chocolate yule log cake will definitely be the star of the show—and it's not hard to make at all! Simply use a fork to create the bark-like texture.
Get Ree's Chocolate Yule Log Cake recipe.
18
Fruitcake
This loaf-style cake is a dessert and present all in one! The recipe makes two fruit cakes so you can wrap one up as a DIY Christmas food gift for your loved ones.
Get the Fruitcake recipe.
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19
Hummingbird Cake
This comforting and classic cake is perfect for sharing with friends and family. The pretty pecan decorations make it feel festive, too.
Get the Hummingbird Cake recipe.
20
Eggnog Cake
The creamy and spiced flavors of spiked eggnog shine through in this simple Christmas cake. It's the perfect holiday centerpiece that anyone can make.
Get the Eggnog Cake recipe.
