Bake some magic into the season with our collection of Christmas cake recipes. We’ve got classics such as White Christmas Peppermint Layer Cake (and two ways to decorate it!), Black Forest Cake with Cloud Frosting, and a Gingerbread Latte Cake that always earns raves at the table. If you really want a dessert no one will forget, try our Christmas Pudding—a fruity, boozy cake that is set on fire before serving. We also looked back in our archives for longtime reader favorites like Buche de Noel rolled cake and Luscious Cranberry-Chocolate Cake. Pick your favorite flavor, and start baking!
White Christmas Peppermint Layer Cake
White Christmas Peppermint Layer Cake.
Blaine Moats
Fanciful pink peppermint frosting and snowy cake layers will brighten any Christmas gathering. To decorate, choose between simple candy adornments as pictured above, or try whimsical white-chocolate trees. (You’ll find a photo of them with how-to instructions in the recipe!)
Black Forest Cake with Cloud Frosting
Black Forest Cake with Cloud Frosting.
Carson Downing
This simplified version of the German classic gets its lovely fruit flavor from cherry jam and cherry juice. Beat heavy cream with cream cheese to create a beautifully light frosting with, of course, a cherry (or several) on top.
Gingerbread Latte Cake
Gingerbread Latte Cake.
Kelsey Hansen
Rebekah Stuber, who ran a cottage bakery in Des Moines during the pandemic, says her flavor-packed spice cakes always earn the most raves. This triple-layer one is dense with Christmas spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg and has a sublime coffee and molasses frosting..
German Chocolate Cake
German Chocolate Cake.
Kelsey Hansen
This delicious (and big!) celebration cake is a staple at Bake Chicago and a particular favorite at Christmas. It has a wonderfully fudgy, old-fashioned, homemade texture.
Christmas Pudding
Christmas Pudding.
Carson Downing
A staple of English holiday celebrations, Christmas pudding (or pud, as they say) is a dense, fruity, boozy steamed cake that’s traditionally lit on fire before serving. Talk about a grand finale!
Cranberry Layer Cake
Cranberry Layer Cake.
When you’re pressed for time (and who isn’t over Christmas?), a box mix can make your life easier. This moist cake starts with a package of white cake mix; glam it up with toasted pecans, orange peel and cranberries. Orange peel flavors the thick cream cheese frosting, too.
Pumpkin Cake Roll
Pumpkin Cake Roll.
If you love pumpkin, here’s our “twist” on traditional pumpkin cake or pie. Nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon add even more Christmas flavor.
Peppermint Patty Cake
Peppermint Patty Cake.
Kelsey Hansen
This pretty Christmas cake boasts dark rich layers and silky Swiss meringue buttercream. The recipe comes from baker Kristine Moberg of Queen City Bakery in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Pint-Size Grasshopper Icebox Cake
Pint-Size Grasshopper Icebox Cake.
Blaine Moats
Hosting a small Christmas celebration? This make-ahead, 6-inch icebox cake serves only 8—plus it uses just four ingredients. Sold.
Pumpkin Praline Layer Cake
Pumpkin-Praline Layer Cake.
This moist, pecan-filled double layer cake will be spectacular at any Christmas table. Whipped cream separates the rich layers.
Cranberry Orange Upside-Down Cake
Cranberry Orange Upside-Down Cake.
Blaine Moats
Flip the script on holiday cakes with this homey, delicious upside-down cake. Invert the cake while it’s still warm to reveal a kaleidoscope of glistening, tart berries and sweet mandarin oranges.
Vanilla Crepe Cake
Vanilla Crepe Cake.
Kelsey Hansen
This Christmas cake by chef Gavin Kaysen of Cooks | Bellecour in the Twin Cities does take a bit of time, but it will wow you and your guests with its many layers, luscious creaminess and subtle tones of vanilla.
Chocolate-Chai Bundt with Candied Oranges and Rum Buttah
Chocolate Chai Bundt with Candied Oranges and Rum Buttah.
Kelsey Hansen
Reine Keis of SweetArt Cafe in St. Louis says the secret to vegan baking is not assuming that one plant-based alternative fits all recipes. In this moist, flavorful cake, coconut yogurt is her power play. The Bundt cake swirls guarantee it will look festive on a Christmas table.
Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes
Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes.
Lava cake, a French-inspired dessert that consists of a chocolate cake with a melty liquid chocolate core, is served warm from the oven. It’s a great chocolate dessert for Christmas or other special occasions.
Fabulous Red Velvet Cake
Fabulous Red Velvet Cake.
This richly colored red velvet cake starts with a box mix, but we added sour cream to make the cake extra moist. Toasted coconut crowns a white chocolate-cream cheese frosting. If you like, garnish with sugared cranberries for an even more festive look.
Seven-or-So Layer Cake
Seven-Or-So Layer Cake.
Carson Downing
This striking (and gluten-free!) cake is inspired by the Jewish bakery classic Seven-Layer Cake. Our simplified sheet-pan method sandwiches rich mocha glaze between layers of almond cake.
Iowa Buche de Noel
Iowa Buche de Noel.
A Yule log or bûche de Noël is a traditional Christmas cake that originated in Europe. It’s meant to look like logs burned in a fireplace. While it has many variations, this recipe—a gem from our archives—makes a rich chocolate cake rolled around whipped cream filling, then covered in chocolate buttercream frosting.
Luscious Cranberry-Chocolate Cake
Luscious Cranberry-Chocolate Cake.
Decadence! This dense chocolate layer cake includes dried cranberries, cranberry jam and a little strong coffee for added flavor. It’s another oldie-but-goodie, just waiting to be re-created on your Christmas table.