Top 35 Best Christmas Cakes

Ring in the festive season with the best Christmas cakes! This list of cakes to bake for Christmas is full of classic flavors and traditional recipes to make the most of the holiday season.

Jump to:

• The Christmas Cakes
• 1. Christmas Tree Cake
• 2. Pistachio Raspberry Yule Log
• 3. Croquembouche
• 4. Triple Chocolate Cake
• 5. Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake
• 6. Ferrero Rocher Cake
• 7. Cranberry Orange Bread
• 8. Hazelnut Cake
• 9. Cardamom Cake With Coffee Glaze
• 10. Sacher Cake
• 11. Chocolate Ganache Cake
• 12. Nutella Cake
• 13. Red Velvet Cake
• 14. Coconut Chocolate Bundt Cake
• 15. German Chocolate Cake
• 16. Basque Burnt Cheesecake
• 17. Spice Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
• 18. Gingerbread Layer Cake
• 19. Festive Chocolate Orange Cake
• 20. Egg Nog Cake with Egg Nog Buttercream
• 21. Black Forest Cake
• 22. Christmas Pudding
• 23. Mulled Wine Chocolate Cake With Orange Mascarpone Cream
• 24. Moist Peppermint Fudge Cake
• 25. Bûche De Noël (Yule Log)
• 26. Candy Cane Cake
• 27. Fruit Cake
• 28. Coffee Tres Leches Cake
• 29. Chai-Spiced Apple Skillet Cake
• 30. North Pole Cake
• 31. Spiced Mascarpone Cranberry Cake
• 32. Gingerbread Village Cake
• 33. Baileys & Coffee Cake
• 34. Christmas White Chocolate Cranberry Layer Cake
• 35. Stollen with Chocolate Chips and Marzipan
• Christmas Cakes FAQs
• Related Cakes Recipes for Christmas
• Top 35 Best Christmas Cakes

I have included all the traditional Christmas cakes as well as family favorites that are sure to bring Christmas cheer to your loved ones. If you're looking for Christmas ideas for cakes, look no further. Try one (or all) of these reliable recipes and have the best Christmas Day dinner yet!

The Christmas Cakes

1. Christmas Tree Cake

What screams Christmas louder than a beautiful showstopper of a Christmas tree cake? What's more, this cake isn't full of food coloring or overly sweet like some store-bought versions. The 6 layers of moist chocolate sponge are layered with silky chocolate filling, and the piped decoration is a fluffy whipped pistachio ganache that brings both natural color and flavor to the cake.

2. Pistachio Raspberry Yule Log

Yule logs, or bûche de Noël, were special logs burnt at Yuletime (or Christmastime), and over the years, they have been represented as traditional Christmas cakes. My yule log cake is an elegant, creamy pistachio raspberry cake with beautiful chocolate decorations that can be the highlight of the Christmas dinner.

3. Croquembouche

There aren't many French pastries as impressive as a croquembouche. Delicate choux buns are filled with diplomat cream and formed into a beautiful towering cone that will serve as a total showstopper on the Christmas dessert table. Finished off with a glittering web of spun sugar, surely you'll agree this is one of those Christmas cake recipes to impress.

4. Triple Chocolate Cake

If you love Christmas and love chocolate, make a triple chocolate layer cake, and rest assured that your meal will end well. The fluffiest sponge is filled and smothered in the fluffiest chocolate ganache frosting and piped decorations. No one will believe you made it yourself, but it is actually a lot easier to craft than you might think. And we all love easy Christmas cakes!

5. Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake

I don't know about you, but chocolate and orange together always make me think of Christmas. Guests will love the simplicity and festivity of this orange cake—a tender orange sponge infused with candied orange zest and Christmas spices like cinnamon and star anise. Finally, it's topped with a quick chocolate glaze and adorned with homemade candied orange slices for a celebratory look.

6. Ferrero Rocher Cake

If you love chocolate and hazelnut desserts, this one is for you. The classic confectionary gets an upgrade and certainly makes this one of the best festive cakes for Christmas! Beneath the layer of crushed Ferrero Rocher chocolates lies a velvety Nutella mousseline cream made from cooked chocolate pastry cream blended with Nutella and butter. Certainly, it's what dreams are made of.

7. Cranberry Orange Bread

A classic Christmas loaf cake is just what you need to enjoy with coffee and loved ones during the holidays. With classic Christmas flavors of aromatic orange zest and tart cranberries, this is a super easy Christmas cake recipe made in a pound cake tin using classic cake ingredients. It's like a festive take on a moist and delicious banana bread.

8. Hazelnut Cake

Simply put, this is the ultimate Hazelnut Cake. It's a festive delight featuring buttery layers of hazelnut sponge cakes that just melt in your mouth and a silky hazelnut mousseline cream enhanced with hazelnut praline paste. This easy-to-follow recipe yields a moist, delicious cake perfect for a Christmas day dessert that's guaranteed to delight your friends and family.

9. Cardamom Cake With Coffee Glaze

Cardamom Cake with Coffee Glaze is a Fall and Winter essential that might just secure its spot as your favorite Christmas Bundt cake this year. It's a perfect blend of unforgettable flavors and textures with a super moist yogurt base infused with the warmth of cardamom and an easy two-ingredient coffee glaze. In conclusion, you should definitely add it to your holiday baking repertoire.

10. Sacher Cake

If you've ever been to Vienna, you must have tried the famous Sacher Torte cake. It's one of those classic European desserts that is reminiscent of frosty Austrian days, and that certainly also makes it one of those classic Christmas cakes to serve during the holidays. With two layers of super moist chocolate sponge sandwiched with a thin layer of apricot jam, it's the signature glossy chocolate ganache frosting that makes it stand out.

11. Chocolate Ganache Cake

This drool-worthy dessert looks as good as it tastes and is also a total breeze to make. So it works perfectly for Christmas when you're super busy and need to make maximum impact with minimal effort! Chocolate ganache is highly versatile and perfect for glazing or chocolate filling for cakes. It finishes off this classic Christmas dessert perfectly, and you won't believe how simple it is.

12. Nutella Cake

Fans of Nutella will love this cake. It's rich, chocolatey, and delicious with a mix of silky smooth and crunchy textures, and what's more, it is beginner-friendly. Even first-time bakers can follow my recipe, and you won't need any special ingredients or equipment.

My favorite thing about this Christmas cake recipe is the Nutella frosting. It really is something special.

13. Red Velvet Cake

Red velvet cake is surely a family favorite at any event, during any season, so I had to include it in this list of Christmas cakes. The mixture of red velvet sponge and tangy cream cheese frosting is a match made in heaven, and the red color of the cake against the cream cheese icing is vibrant and eye-catching. It will certainly make a great centerpiece cake for the Christmas dessert table.

14. Coconut Chocolate Bundt Cake

Make a coconut chocolate bundt cake this Christmas; it's a decadent and flavorful dessert that shines especially bright during the holiday season. With a velvety chocolate base and a luscious coconut macaroon filling, you get a mix of textures in each bite, and then it's all topped with a simple yet delectable coconut glaze.

Garnished with shredded coconut and crunchy cocoa nibs, it's undeniably perfect for Christmas and beyond!

15. German Chocolate Cake

Whilst you might think this cake is a German specialty, it is, in fact, named after the creator of the chocolate traditionally used to make it, Samuel German. And he deserves all the credit for this super moist chocolate cake with the most delicious flavor and an incredible butterscotch frosting that is simply loaded with pecan and coconut. Make it for Christmas day and you won't regret it.

16. Basque Burnt Cheesecake

Christmas cheesecake, anyone? The signature caramelized burnt top of this Basque cheesecake certainly looks impressive and festive, and you'll love the creamy texture and rich taste. What's more, the recipe only uses 5 simple ingredients and comes together in 5 minutes. And there's no need for a water bath, either.

17. Spice Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Have you tried brown butter frosting before? It adds an extra step to your process, but it's really worth it to get those deep and nutty flavors. Then, the four layers of moist spiced sponge cake batter are packed with a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. It honestly makes this cake the most deliciously warm and festive thing you could eat. Make it and find out!

18. Gingerbread Layer Cake

Gingerbread cake is a Christmas classic, especially when adorned with rosemary, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and star anise for an extra touch of sophistication. Featuring two rich layers of spiced gingerbread sponge and then a generous amount of cinnamon cream cheese frosting, it's surely one to make for elegant gatherings this Christmas.

19. Festive Chocolate Orange Cake

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The decoration on this festive cake is such a masterpiece. Sugared cranberries, candied orange slices, chocolate pine cones and acorns, and piped pine needles make it one of the prettiest Christmas cakes around. And what's more, underneath all that is a deliciously moist chocolate cake filled with rich orange curd and Swiss meringue buttercream frosting.

20. Egg Nog Cake with Egg Nog Buttercream

Have you had eggnog? It's an alcoholic milk punch that originates in medieval Britain and is traditionally made with spices, milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks, and whipped egg whites. And those ingredients sound familiar to bakers, right? So it stands to reason that you could easily transform it into cake. The result is a moist and tender spiced sponge and a super rich frosting that has all the nostalgia you need this Christmas.

21. Black Forest Cake

This Black Forest Cake is a super moist, surprisingly easy cake that looks pretty awesome when it’s all decorated and ready to serve. It looks much more impressive than it is tricky to put together, it’s not proportional! The cake itself is a deliciously fluffy and moist chocolate cake, soaked with cherry liqueur simple syrup; the filling is just whipped cream and fresh cherries.

22. Christmas Pudding

A traditional Christmas pudding had to make this list; it's a British classic and enjoyed by millions of people every year after their Christmas lunch. The suet-based fruit cake is steamed for several hours, which leaves it incredibly moist. It is served with brandy butter, and it's also traditional to scoop out a section of the top, fill it with warm brandy, and then light it with a match to flambee the outside of the dessert.

23. Mulled Wine Chocolate Cake With Orange Mascarpone Cream

Just look at this cake! Mulled wine, a traditional warm Christmas drink made with red wine and spices, lends its rich, aromatic flavors beautifully to baked goods, and this cake is a prime example.

A wine-infused chocolate sponge is layered with orange mascarpone cream and elegantly topped with a mulled wine chocolate drip, sugared cranberries, and chocolate holly leaves. In essence, it's a true festive showstopper.

24. Moist Peppermint Fudge Cake

Kids and adults alike love the classic festive pairing of peppermint and chocolate, and this is a cake that's especially perfect for holiday parties. Adorned with cute mini candy canes and a drizzle of extra chocolate ganache, this chocolate peppermint cake is a must-have addition to your Christmas party table.

25. Bûche De Noël (Yule Log)

A chocolate yule log that looks this realistic could alarm some guests until they know they can eat it! But when they cut a slice and see the roll of moist sponge and tasty filling, they won't be able to resist. The thick chocolate frosting is easy to decorate like a real log, and then you can add frosted fruits and candied rosemary to make it super festive. What are you waiting for?

26. Candy Cane Cake

Send word to the North Pole; they have a cake missing from their bakery. Certainly, it looks like Santa's elves have been busy creating this masterpiece. Candy cane stripes and peppermint candy decorations make it the most striking addition to your Christmas table, and you'll love the six layers of soft and moist vanilla bean cake inside, frosted with red and white striped peppermint buttercream.

27. Fruit Cake

As traditional Christmas cake ideas go, a fruit cake is certainly one of the original and best. Deliciously sticky fruit cake batter is packed with dried fruit pieces, poured into a loaf tin, and baked to perfection. It isn't too sweet, and it's made with wholesome, real ingredients.

What's more, the crunchy pecans on top add the most amazing texture to bite into.

28. Coffee Tres Leches Cake

Here's a coffee-infused twist on the Latin American classic tres leches cake that I'm sure you'll love. Tres leches cake is a sponge cake—soaked in three kinds of milk, and the result is unbelievably light and moist. In this version, layers of cake are generously soaked with a coffee-flavored milk syrup and then frosted with heavenly coffee whipped cream. It's just the sweet caffeine kick you'll need on Christmas day, and no one will be able to stop after just one slice.

29. Chai-Spiced Apple Skillet Cake

Throw together and bake a skillet cake for an easy Christmas treat, perfect to serve with vanilla ice cream. This cake is simple but bursting with festive flavors like nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon, along with plenty of juicy apples. Plus, the best part is that it keeps the cleanup to a minimum, making it a true lifesaver on a busy Christmas day.

30. North Pole Cake

Not only is this the cutest holiday cake, but it's also incredibly delicious! Three layers of buttery chocolate cake are generously filled with a sweet chocolate ganache and lavishly frosted with rich browned butter vanilla frosting that looks like a snowy landscape. Does it sound too good to be true? Then, for the perfect finishing touch, add a peppermint candy cane "north pole" and dip it in the delicious frosting.

31. Spiced Mascarpone Cranberry Cake

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/181903272439686247/

Kick off the holiday baking season with a spiced mascarpone cranberry cake; it's just so festive. This Christmas creation features a simple spiced cake infused with the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg, enhanced by hints of orange and creamy mascarpone. Top with tart cranberry jam and bake to golden perfection, then dust in powdered sugar for a pretty finish.

32. Gingerbread Village Cake

When it comes to Christmas decoration cakes, I think we have a winner. Surely this looks too good to eat? But when every bite has both the cookie crunch of gingerbread and moist and tasty sponge cake, you won't be able to resist. Create a stunning Christmas village scene with piped icing and display it on a cake stand for all to see your efforts.

33. Baileys & Coffee Cake

Cake mix gets an upgrade in this scrumptious Bailey’s & coffee cake. Trust me, it's so easy but just so tasty! Packed with cinnamon chips and the indulgent flavor of Bailey’s liqueur and smothered in buttercream frosting, this cake seriously brings the holiday cheer. It's the ideal dessert for your Christmas celebrations or festive parties where you want to bring something special.

34. Christmas White Chocolate Cranberry Layer Cake

Tart cranberries are the perfect match for sweet white chocolate in this decadent Christmas cake recipe. Seriously, the flavor combination of this cranberry layer cake is too amazing not to try baking! Whilst there are a few steps to making it, the effort is well worth it for the result.

35. Stollen with Chocolate Chips and Marzipan

Stollen is a traditional Christmas yeasted cake bread from Germany that is one of my favorite things to eat during the festive season. The batter is studded with nuts, dried and candied fruits and shaped around a piece of marzipan before being baked. It is delicious on its own or toasted!

Christmas Cakes FAQs

Related Cakes Recipes for Christmas