Jolly Christmas Cake Recipe for Magical Holiday Moments

Sweet memories of childhood holidays dance through my christmas cake memories, weaving nostalgic flavors into each delectable slice.

Aunts and grandmothers passed down secret recipes generations ago.

Festive kitchens sparkled with warmth and anticipation during baking sessions.

Candied fruits, rich spices, and carefully measured ingredients create magic in modest mixing bowls.

Dark rum and molasses whisper tales of tradition into every crumbly bite.

Winter celebrations become more meaningful when we connect through shared culinary experiences.

Eager hands and patient hearts will transform simple ingredients into a cherished dessert that honors family traditions.

What Makes This Christmas Cake a Crowd-Pleaser

• Craft with Ease: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this Christmas cake recipe requires basic baking techniques that even novice cooks can master confidently.
• Festive Family Fun: Creates a delightful dessert that brings families together, sparking joy and creating memorable holiday moments with its delectable taste and beautiful decoration.
• Quick Celebration Showstopper: Delivers an impressive dessert that looks professionally made but can be prepared quickly, making it ideal for last-minute holiday gatherings or spontaneous celebrations.
• Customizable Creativity: Offers flexible decorating options with fondant holly, sprinkles, and edible glitter, allowing bakers to personalize the cake and express their unique holiday spirit.

Christmas Meringue Cookies (Tree & Wreath) Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Classic baking staple for cake structure.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create soft texture.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and moisture.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds stability.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile.

• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and boosts flavor.

• Milk: Adds moisture and softness to cake batter.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting.
• Heavy Cream: Helps achieve creamy frosting consistency.

• Fondant Holly Leaves, Red Sprinkles, Cranberries, Edible Glitter: Adds festive Christmas appearance and visual appeal.

How to Bake a Christmas Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Setup

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350°F. Lovingly coat two round cake pans with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking. This creates the perfect stage for your holiday masterpiece.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Blend these ingredients until they’re perfectly combined, creating a smooth dry mixture.

Step 3: Create a Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud. This magical process creates the foundation of your cake’s incredible texture.

Step 4: Introduce the Eggs

Crack eggs into the butter mixture one at a time. Thoroughly beat after each addition to ensure a smooth, well-incorporated batter. Splash in some vanilla extract for that extra burst of flavor.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Alternate with splashes of milk, mixing gently until the batter becomes silky and uniform. Be careful not to overmix – you want a tender cake!

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean and dry.

Step 7: Whip Up the Frosting

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Add heavy cream to achieve your desired frosting consistency.

Step 8: Assemble the Cake

Once the cake layers have completely cooled, spread a generous layer of frosting between them. Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting, creating smooth, even layers.

Step 9: Add Festive Decorations

• Fondant holly leaves
• Red sprinkles
• Fresh cranberries
• Edible glitter

Chill the cake for 20 minutes to set the frosting and decorations.

Slice, serve, and watch as your loved ones marvel at your Christmas cake creation!

Handy Tips That Bring Your Christmas Cake to Life

• Prep Pans Perfectly: Use parchment paper circles in addition to greasing and flouring to ensure easy cake removal without sticking.
• Control Moisture Balance: Add a small splash of sour cream or yogurt to the batter to keep the cake extra moist and tender during baking.
• Frost with Finesse: Chill cake layers for 30 minutes before frosting to prevent crumbs from mixing into the frosting and create a smoother finish.
• Create Festive Variations: Swap vanilla extract with peppermint or almond extract for a different holiday flavor profile, or add crushed candy canes for extra crunch.
• Stabilize Frosting Strength: Refrigerate frosting for 10-15 minutes before spreading to achieve a firmer, more manageable consistency for decorating.

How To Save Christmas Cake For Later Enjoyment

• Store cake in an airtight container, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Keep away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
• Carefully wrap entire unfrosted cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Place in freezer-safe container and store for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before frosting and serving.
• Cut remaining slices, wrap separately in plastic wrap, then place in sealed container. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in refrigerator. Perfect for quick holiday treat anytime.
• Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature for 30 minutes. Microwave individual slices for 10-15 seconds on low power to maintain moisture and soft texture.

Ideal Complements for Christmas Cake

• Festive Wine Pairing: Select a sweet dessert wine like Port or Moscato d'Asti, which complements the cake's rich buttercream and balances its sugary profile.
• Flavor-Enhancing Beverage: Brew a warm cup of spiced chai tea, its cardamom and cinnamon notes will beautifully echo the cake's festive Christmas spirit.
• Complementary Accompaniment: Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside the cake slice, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast with the soft cake layers.
• Garnish Recommendation: Top the cake with fresh raspberries or pomegranate seeds, adding a bright, tangy counterpoint to the sweet frosting and creating a stunning visual presentation.

Meringue Tree and Wreath Cookie Styles

• Gluten-Free Christmas Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version. Use gluten-free baking powder and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Holiday Delight: Substitute eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs. Use plant-based butter, coconut cream instead of dairy milk, and vegan powdered sugar for frosting.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Treat: Swap regular sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Reduce overall sugar content and use fresh berries for natural sweetness. Incorporate sugar-free frosting using cream cheese alternative.
• Chocolate Infusion Cake: Add cocoa powder to cake batter for rich chocolate flavor. Replace vanilla extract with peppermint extract for a festive winter touch. Top with dark chocolate shavings instead of traditional decorations.

FAQs

• Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cake layers up to 2 days in advance. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature. The frosting can also be prepared a day before and refrigerated.

• How do I prevent the cake from being dry?

Ensure you don’t overbake the cake. Check for doneness at 25 minutes and remove from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out clean. Avoid overmixing the batter, which can lead to a tough texture.

• What if I don't have heavy cream for the frosting?

You can substitute with whole milk or half-and-half. The consistency might be slightly different, so add gradually and adjust as needed to achieve the right spreading texture.

• Can I freeze this Christmas cake?

Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted cake layers for up to 1 month. Wrap them carefully in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Thaw at room temperature before frosting and decorating.

Christmas Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas Cake delivers pure holiday joy with rich, fruity layers of tradition. Sweet spices and brandy-soaked dried fruits create a memorable dessert you won’t forget.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sweetener:

• 2 cups granulated sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coating two 8-inch round cake pans with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring no lumps remain for a smooth cake texture.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes pale, voluminous, and develops a light, airy consistency.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, thoroughly blending after each addition to maintain a smooth emulsion. Mix in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor depth.
5. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk to create a silky, well-integrated batter without overmixing.
6. Distribute the batter evenly between prepared pans, ensuring uniform thickness. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted into the cake’s center.
7. Allow cake layers to cool completely on a wire rack, preventing moisture condensation that could compromise the cake’s texture.
8. Prepare frosting by whipping butter until creamy, then gradually introducing powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Adjust consistency with heavy cream to achieve a spreadable texture.
9. Construct the cake by placing the first layer on a serving plate, spreading a generous layer of frosting. Position the second cake layer carefully on top.
10. Completely enrobe the cake with remaining frosting, using smooth, even strokes to create a polished finish. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to set the frosting.
11. Add festive flair by adorning the cake with delicate fondant holly leaves, scattered red sprinkles, fresh cranberries, and a sprinkle of edible glitter for a sophisticated holiday presentation.

Notes

• Select high-quality ingredients like real vanilla extract and fresh butter for richer flavor complexity.
• Room temperature eggs and butter blend more smoothly, creating a lighter cake texture with better volume.
• For gluten-free adaptation, substitute regular flour with a certified gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for structural support.
• Reduce sugar by 25% and replace some butter with Greek yogurt for a healthier version without compromising moisture and taste.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg