12 Holiday Cake Recipes for Festive Seasons

Are you ready to make your holiday season super special? You're browsing through recipes, searching for ideas, and looking for inspiration to create the perfect cake. You'll find unique flavors and textures in these amazing holiday cake recipes.

Get ready to be amazed by the most delicious cakes you've ever seen! What catches your eye - a chocolate cake, a vanilla cake, or maybe something fruity? These 12 holiday cake recipes are sure to bring a big smile to your face and make your holidays even happier!

1. Classic Christmas Cake Recipe

A classic Christmas cake filled with dried fruits and nuts.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup dried fruit
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C).
2. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan.
3. Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
6. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture, then stir in dried fruit and nuts.
7. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth top.
8. Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 10 minutes.
10. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Moist Pumpkin Spice Cake

Moist Pumpkin Spice Cake is a delicious fall treat filled with warm spices and topped with cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• Cream cheese frosting, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the pumpkin puree, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean.
8. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Once the cakes are cool, frost with cream cheese frosting and serve.

3. Easy Cranberry Orange Cake

Delicious and moist cake filled with cranberries and orange zest.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together butter, yogurt, eggs, orange zest, and orange juice.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Gently fold in the cranberries.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Chocolate Peppermint Layer Cake

Moist chocolate cake infused with invigorating peppermint flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup crushed peppermint candies

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease three 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, combine cocoa powder and milk, stirring until smooth.
4. Add eggs one at a time to the cocoa mixture, whisking well after each addition.
5. Whisk in peppermint extract.
6. Gradually add dry ingredients to the cocoa mixture, whisking until just combined.
7. Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler and fold into the cake batter.
8. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans and smooth tops.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
10. Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Once cakes are cool, place one layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of frosting on top.
12. Repeat with remaining two layers, creating a stacked cake effect.
13. Decorate with crushed peppermint candies and serve.

5. Vanilla Bean Snowflake Cake

Delicate vanilla bean snowflake cake with moist and fluffy texture.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter until creamy.
4. Gradually add the sugar to the butter and continue beating until light and fluffy.
5. Beat in the eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to fully incorporate before adding the next.
6. Beat in the vanilla extract.
7. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk and heavy cream, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
8. Beat in the vanilla bean paste.
9. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
10. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
11. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Red Velvet Holiday Cake

Moist and flavorful red velvet cake perfect for the holiday season.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 teaspoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter until creamy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Beat in red food coloring and vanilla extract.
6. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
7. Beat just until combined.
8. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
9. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. Lemon Ginger Pound Cake

Lemon Ginger Pound Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in ginger, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
5. Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
6. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth top.
7. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
8. Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

8. Eggnog Cheesecake With Nutmeg

Eggnog Cheesecake With Nutmeg is a creamy dessert with a hint of nutmeg.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 pounds cream cheese
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup eggnog
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Prepare the crust by mixing crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.
3. Press the crust into a 9-inch springform pan.
4. Beat the cream cheese until smooth.
5. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
6. Add sugar, eggnog, vanilla extract, and nutmeg, and beat until combined.
7. Pour the cheesecake batter into the prepared pan.
8. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until the edges are set.
9. Let the cheesecake cool completely on a wire rack.
10. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

9. Spiced Apple Cider Cake

Moist and flavorful cake infused with spiced apple cider.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup spiced apple cider

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
5. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture and spiced apple cider, alternating between the two.
6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Gingerbread Trifle Cake

Delicious layered gingerbread trifle cake with creamy frosting and sweet spices.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease three 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then beat in the vanilla extract.
5. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
6. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. To assemble the trifle, place one cake layer in the bottom of a large serving dish.
10. Spread a layer of whipped cream on top of the cake, then repeat the process two more times.
11. Dust the top of the trifle with powdered sugar and serve.

11. Chocolate Yule Log Cake Recipe

Rich, velvety chocolate cake shaped like a Yule log.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 10x15-inch jelly roll pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth top.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Allow cake to cool in pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Once cake is cool, spread a thin layer of heavy cream on top and roll into a log shape.
9. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve.

12. Maple Pecan Praline Cake

Moist maple cake filled with crunchy pecan praline and topped with creamy frosting.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by maple syrup and vanilla extract.
5. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture and mix until just combined.
6. Fold in chopped pecans and divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8. Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. To make praline topping, melt 1/4 cup sugar in a skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until caramelized.
10. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped pecans and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
11. Assemble cake by spreading frosting on top of one cake layer, then topping with praline and second cake layer.
12. Frost outside of cake with remaining frosting and decorate as desired.

Conclusion

You'll savor the warmth of classic Christmas cake, yet be tantalized by the coolness of Chocolate Peppermint Layer Cake. Amidst the hustle and bustle, these 12 holiday cake recipes bring serene joy, allowing you to indulge in sweetness and create lasting memories, a perfect juxtaposition of chaos and bliss.