Recipe Roundup

23 Christmas Cakes That Bring the Holiday Cheer

Pop one of these cakes in the oven to make your tree-trimming experience even more festive.

By Julia Price Baron and The Editors of Epicurious

November 28, 2022

Peppermint chocolate cake with a slice taken out and set on a plate.

We love a freshly fallen snow and an overfilled stocking as much as the next person, but not even a roaring fire can touch the distinct holiday feeling these Christmas cakes give us. It’s time to bake fruitcakes bursting with currants and cranberries, orange zest and apricots. Or to dish out warm, spicy gingerbreads and cinnamon Bundt cakes. Don an ugly Christmas sweater while you dig into a glorious chocolate hazelnut mousse, or serenade your loved ones with peppermint ice cream cake carols and promises of sticky toffee pudding. Whatever tops your list this year—a laptop under the tree, a marriage proposal, an adorable puppy, world peace—we’re hoping you get it. As for us, here’s our wish list—all 23 cakes.

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova
1/23
Christmas Bombe with Spiced Cake and Chocolate-Brandy Glaze
We just had to kick off our list of Christmas cakes with this spectacular showstopper. Not a chocolate hound? Maybe the cream cheese mousse and brandy glaze will convince you.
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Photo by Chris Court, Benjamin Dearnley, William Meppem, Con Poulos, Anson Smart
2/23
Christmas Cake
If sweet raisins, tart currants, rich dates, crunchy nuts, and cozy spices are your jam, this Christmas cake has got your number. (Plus, it makes for a festive gift, too!)
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne
3/23
Cardamom-Pistachio Bûche de Noël
This bûche takes a classic Christmas sweet to the next level with a one-two punch of pistachio custard and cardamom sponge cake.
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Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
4/23
Dark Ginger Rye Cake With Yogurt and Honey
For those who love a spicy ginger treat, this cake strikes a beautiful balance. Sweet honey, moist yogurt, and rich molasses bring warmth to the coldest holiday.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks
5/23
French Spiced Bread
Spices and stone fruits help you ring in the holiday. Here, cinnamon and anise mingle with dried fruits to give your kitchen serious holiday vibes.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks
6/23
Christmas Glazed Apple Cake
This German holiday dessert features chunky, juicy apples nestled between soft, buttery crust layers. Salivating yet?
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton
7/23
Black Cake
Don’t be deterred by the five days of rum-soaking this Caribbean fruitcake requires; it has a winter-long shelf life. But we bet you'll devour it much sooner.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
8/23
Cranberry-Pistachio Baked Alaska
What’s better than a Baked Alaska? A cranberry, pistachio Baked Alaska! Taste the layers of crumbly cake, rich ice cream, refreshing sorbet, and toasted meringue in this textural treat.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
9/23
Double Chocolate Cake With Peppermint-Chocolate Frosting
Shhh! Don’t tell your guests that their new favorite chocolate peppermint dairy-free dessert contains mayo and applesauce. Or maybe you should—it might make them fall further in cake love.
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Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
10/23
Christmas Fruitcake
Raisin, cherry, currant, butter! We'll gladly take them all. This fruitcake is the epitome of Christmas, packed with more flavors than ornaments on the tree.
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Photo by Gentl & Hyers
11/23
Apple Gingerbread Cake With Cream
Rich caramel and warm apples bring extra depth to this spicy gingerbread cake. Then drizzle not one, but two rounds of cream to truly gild the lily.
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Photo by Renee Anjanette
12/23
Kransekake (Wreath Cake)
You say kransekake, we say kransekage. And your guests will be speechless. This glorious white marzipan confection tastes of orange, rosewater, and of course, almonds. Decorate it to look like a Christmas tree.
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Photo by Romulo Yanes
13/23
Holiday Fruit-Filled Pound Cake
Still boozy—and just as delicious, this dense delicacy with orange zest, apricots, currants, apricots, raisins, and cranberries make is a relative cinch compared to most fruit cake recipes.
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Photo by Laura Letinsky
14/23
Spiced Cranberry Bundt Cake
Want a fruit cake that’s not actually a fruit cake? This nutty and tart bundt recipe delivers. Chinese five-spice provides a deep flavor profile while the yogurt offers moist mellowing.
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Photo by Kenji Toma
15/23
Devil's Food Cake with Peppermint Frosting
As if dark chocolate ganache and white chocolate layers weren’t enough to win us over, this airy chocolate cake gets a peppermint frosting. Decorate with mini candy canes if you must.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks
16/23
Spiced Hazelnut-Pear Cake With Chocolate Sauce
Gather ye pears! This merry cake has something for every guest at the table: poached fruit, nutty spice, and even a glorious chocolate drizzle.
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Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
17/23
Fruity Rum Bundt Cake
Another fruity, rum-infused cake to get into the Christmas groove. Dried apricots, tart cherries, and golden raisins hide in each delightful slice.
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Paulette Tavormina
18/23
Cinnamon Bun Bundt Cake
This twofer recipe makes for a cinnamon-forward dessert the night before Christmas—and doubles as a magical (and easy!) breakfast treat while gathering ‘round the tree on Christmas morning.
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Photo by Romulo Yanes
19/23
Chocolate-Glazed Hazelnut Mousse Cake
Calling all Nutella fans! We had to include this royal mousse cake, fit for Good King Wenceslas—and you. Mascarpone adds a creamy richness to this hazelnutty triple chocolate threat.
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Photo by Christopher Testani
20/23
Double Ginger Sticky Toffee Pudding
May we present this sparkling wreath centerpiece: a sticky toffee gingerbread that rocks us to the core. Ginger, dates, and brown sugar sauce make for a super satisfying fireside treat.
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Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell
21/23
Black Forest Cake
Chocolate cake and generous whipped cream layers make this classic cake a holiday delight. The finishing touch is—quite literally—a cherry on top (actually, two boozy cups of them!).
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Photo by Con Poulos
22/23
Peppermint Ice Cream Candyland Cake
If you’re looking to serve up joy this Christmas, put this ice cream cake recipe on your baking list. Festive and playful peppermint textures will put a smile on any Scrooge.
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Photo by Con Poulos
23/23
Chocolate Panna Cotta Layer Cake
Deck the halls with boughs of milk chocolate! While coffee enhances the chocolate, vanilla bean and a whole lotta cream make us swoon (and, er, rhyme) for this panna-cotta-meets-cake concoction. Still looking for more Christmas cake ideas? Check out our interactive encyclopedia of favorite cake recipes →
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Julia Price Baron has been a creative director, writer, producer, and occasional filmmaker for over 15 years. She’s collaborated on projects for Food Network/Discovery+, CNN, Etsy, Universal, Spotify, Audible, Netflix, Nickelodeon, IFC, and Elle Decor among others. While she’s a one-pot kind of cook, she’s a passionate all-the-pots kind of ... Read More

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The Epicurious editorial team develops original recipes, and publishes stories about cooking better, faster, and more creatively, sustainably, and affordably. See our full masthead, here. ... Read More

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