What better way to celebrate holidays and special occasions than with a bubbly champagne cake?
How to Make Champagne Cake
Whether I’m celebrating Christmas, toasting the New Year or cheering a job well done, champagne is always welcome. It’s the ultimate celebratory drink. Why not combine the special, festive feeling of a glass of bubbles with the appeal of a good dessert? That’s right: It’s time for champagne cake!
Choosing Champagne for Your CakeÂ
For this cake, you can use any sparkling wine of your choosing. If you enjoy a dry champagne, opt for your favorite brand. If you like something a bit sweeter, try a Prosecco or sparkling moscato. And if you want to add a little color to this cake, pop for pink champagne!
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Concentrating Champagne Flavor
Champagne’s flavor can be easily overpowered in baking, which is why for this recipe, you don’t want to add in a cup of bubbly straight from the bottle. Instead, you’ll want a more concentrated flavor that will really come through in the baking.
Concentrating champagne for baking is simple, though. Pop open a bottle of champagne and measure out 2 cups into a small saucepan. Bring this to a simmer and let it reduce until there’s only a cup of liquid left. This should take about 10 minutes. The result is half the liquid with double the flavor. Just be sure to let this concentrated sparkling wine cool down to room temperature before adding to your batter.
Store any leftover champagne in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Champagne Cake Recipe
This recipe makes a three-layer, eight-inch cake. The frosting for this cake is a slight variation on this vanilla buttercream—a great go-to recipe. For the champagne cake, I doubled the recipe and added a bit of champagne for a boost of flavor.
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 cups flour
- 2 cups champagne or the sparkling wine of your choosing
- 1-3/4 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 6 egg whites
- 3-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Frosting
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 9 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons champagne
- 2/3 to 3/4 cup milk
Directions
Step 1: Mix the batter
Mixing the batter for this cake is very simple. You start like you would for any good cake. In one bowl, mix your dry ingredients—flour, baking powder and salt—and set aside.
Then cream together your butter and sugar until nice and fluffy using a stand or hand mixer. Then add in your sour cream and vanilla extract. Once those ingredients are well combined, add in your egg whites. Beat until nice and fluffy. Once those ingredients are well combined, alternate adding your dry mixture with your milk and concentrated champagne. Scrape the sides as needed.
Editor’s Tip: If you’re using pink champagne, add a drop of food coloring or two to really punch up the color!
Step 2: Prep the pans
Once the batter is ready, prep your cake pans for baking. For this recipe, you’ll need three eight-inch pans. Just grease and flour as normal. Then divide the batter evenly between the three.
Step 3: Bake
Pop this in a 350ºF oven for 22 to 25 minutes. To check if the cake is done, just poke a toothpick into the center of one of the cakes. If it comes out clean, the cake is done.
Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 5 minutes before tipping out onto a wire rack. Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting.
Step 4: Make the champagne frosting
For this cake I wanted more than just a bit of champagne in the cake batter—I wanted some in the frosting, too! Using an American buttercream frosting as a base, I substituted two tablespoons of sparkling wine for milk.
To make this simple buttercream, just beat together your butter, powdered sugar, a smidge of vanilla extract and two tablespoons of champagne. Then beat in the milk until it reaches the right consistency—somewhere between two-thirds and three-quarters of a cup of milk.
Step 5: Assemble the champagne cake
Grab your offset spatula—it’s time to frost! I like to add a small daub of frosting to my cake plate to start. This helps the first layer of the cake stay in place as I frost. Then just layer your cakes and frosting being sure not to over- or under-frost. Once the three cakes are all stacked and aligned nicely, move on to the outside. You can follow our guide to learn how to frost a cake in detail.
For this cake, I kept it fairly simple and just spread on the buttercream with a large offset spatula, but you can pipe or try other decorating techniques if you like! To give it a subtle but festive finishing touch, I sprinkled on some pearlescent jimmies and sugar pearls.
The Finished Champagne Cake
When finished, this cake looks simple yet festive—like a classic flute of bubbles. But the real fun comes when slicing into the cake. It’s perfectly moist with a welcome hint of champagne flavor and not too sweet! Combined with the buttercream, it’s the perfect balance of sweet, airy and celebratory. This cake has me thinking that I’ll be toasting friends and family this New Year’s with a glass of champagne and a generous slice of cake. Learn how to decorate champagne bottles.
 The Best Desserts for New Year's Eve
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Grasshopper Baked AlaskaEnd the year with a bang! A baked Alaska is a showstopping dessert that your guests will love. For extra flair (and fun) you can toast meringue with a kitchen torch.
Bittersweet Chocolate CheesecakeNew Year's Eve desserts are meant to be decadent and rich, like this chocolate cheesecake. A sliver of this treat is just right when paired with a flute of sparkling wine.
Berries in Champagne JellyOn New Year's Eve, don't stop at opening a bottle of champagne just for sipping. You can also use this sparkling wine to make a tasty gelatin. Be sure to top with plenty of fresh berries.
New Year’s Eve CupcakesLooking for super cute New Year's Eve desserts? These cupcakes fit the bill. To decorate, simply mold taffy candies into champagne bottles, flutes and streamers.
Champagne TrufflesChampagne truffles might just be one of our best-ever New Year's Eve desserts. Champagne syrup is stirred into chocolate ganache to make an easy and elegant truffle. For a little extra flair, nestle these candies into gold foil cups.
Grand Marnier Frozen SoufflesSouffles are always an impressive way to finish a meal. This recipe uses Grand Marnier, an orange liqueur, to infuse the batter with delightful citrus flavor. If Grand Marnier isn't your style, try another flavorful liqueur in its stead.
Flourless Chocolate Cake with Rosemary GanacheThis decadent dessert gets a wintry spin with a hint of rosemary infused into the ganache finish. 
Cappuccino Mousse TrifleNeed a hit of caffeine to make it through a night of partying? This espresso-infused trifle makes for a perfect New Year's Eve dessert. It's easy to assemble and can even be prepped a day in advance.
Rainbow CakeRainbows are considered a sign of good luck. Bring that sentiment into the New Year as you slice into this multi-colored layer cake. 
Grape and Berry CrumbleWe love learning about New Year's traditions from around the world. In Spain and parts of Latin America, eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight ensures good luck for the coming year. You can take inspiration from this tradition and bake those grapes into a tasty crumble. 
Slow-Cooker Chocolate Pots de CremePot de creme is a traditional French dessert that requires finesse. This recipe uses the same ingredients and flavors, but makes cooking simple by using a slow cooker. This method is perfect since these New Year's Eve desserts will be ready whenever your guests are.
Harvey Wallbanger CakeHave a little fun with your New Year's Eve desserts by adding a splash of your favorite tipple to the batter. This Harvey Wallbanger cake uses a splash of vodka and Galliano.
Decadent Chocolate Crepe CakeNew Year's is the perfect time to pull out all the stops and make a dessert that impresses. This towering crepe cake will test your skills—but the end result is delicious and rewarding.
Creamy Butterscotch Pudding for 2Looking for New Year's Eve desserts for a night in with your sweetheart? This simple pudding makes just enough for two. To make this extra festive, serve this treat in champagne flutes with a wafer cookie garnish.
Red Velvet CheesecakeThis vibrant red cheesecake will certainly draw attention at your party. It has that classic red velvet cake flavor you love (that'd be a whisper of cocoa) but in an all-new form.
Winter Wishes TrifleMatch the ambiance of a snowy New Year's Eve by serving up this wintry white trifle. It's made with angel food cake (use homemade or packaged), whipped cream, white chocolate and a hint of peppermint. 
Surprise Cake
Start the New Year with a surprise! When guests cut into this cake, they'll discover an inner chamber full of goodies. The best part: The baker gets to pick the filling. Try candies, sprinkles or even small party favors.
Chocolate Pomegranate CandiesIn several countries including Turkey and Brazil, pomegranates are part of New Year's celebrations. You can transform this fruit into a dessert by scattering the arils over the top of a chocolate bark.
Coconut Layer CakeThis snowy white coconut cake looks so festive. Be sure to top with plenty of large coconut flakes to get a unique look.
Jellied Champagne DessertFill flutes with jellied champagne for festive individual desserts on New Year's Eve.
Rich and Creamy TiramisuTiramisu is Italian for pick-me-up, and this one is definitely true to its name! This version of the classic Tuscan trifle has both coffee and espresso for layers of java flavor.
Salted Dark Chocolate TartDark chocolate, caramel and a hit of salt. What's not to love? Be prepare to hand out the recipe for this decadent dessert.
Winter Fruit with Prosecco SabayonWant to serve something a little lighter as a New Year's Eve dessert? This recipe pairs citrus fruits with a simple sparkling wine-infused sauce.
Icebox CakeIcebox cakes get a lot of play during the warm months, but they also make great New Year's Eve desserts! These no-bake treats can be prepped in advance and stashed in the freezer until you're ready to party.
Baklava CheesecakeWith sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs, this unique baklava cheesecake makes a grand display for special events and holidays.
Semisweet Chocolate MousseChocolate mousse is wonderfully light but still rich. It's a great dessert to serve up in small glasses and share at a party. Top with fresh whipped cream and the fruit of your choice.
Madeira CakeThis classic British Madeira cake is often served with Madeira wine, which is how it got its name. Similar to a pound cake, it is commonly flavored with lemon. It's a great match for champagne for a New Year's Eve party—and can be served with coffee or tea the next morning.
Copycat Olive Garden Black Tie Chocolate Mousse CakeOlive Garden's indulgent Black Tie Chocolate Mousse Cake should be your next copycat baking project.
Rice PuddingIn Sweden and Norway, it's a tradition to hide an almond in the rice pudding served on New Year's Eve. Whoever discovers the almond in their dish is thought to have good luck for the year ahead.
Chocolate-Dipped StrawberriesChocolate-covered strawberries may be simple to make, but are always a hit. For a little extra finish, drizzle with some white chocolate or top with sprinkles or even edible glitter.
Cherries JubileeMade with sweet or tart cherries and doused in brandy, cherries jubilee will be a flaming success!
Marzipan BarsIn Germany, it's traditional to eat marzipan shaped like a pig on New Year's Eve. This is supposed to bring good luck in the coming year. Can't find these candy piggies? Use this almond-flavored ingredient in these tasty layered bars.
Pineapple & Macadamia Nut CakeIn the dead of winter, a treat full of tropical flavors like macadamia nuts and pineapple is so welcome. Be prepare for guests to ask for seconds of this pretty layer cake.
Affogato
Keep the party going and fire up the espresso machine! Pour a shot of espresso over a scoop of gelato to make an affogato, a treat that's as sweet as it is energizing.
White Chocolate TrufflesA snowy New Year's Eve calls for a corresponding treat. These white chocolate truffles are rolled in coarse sugar to make them look like they've been touched with a bit of frost.
Old English TrifleLoaded with cake cube, fruit and sherry, an old English trifle is always welcome at a holiday dinner. The creamy, homemade custard is well worth the effort.
Sauerkraut Chocolate CakeIn Germany, it's a tradition to dine on pork and sauerkraut on New Year's Day. You can put a sweet spin on this tradition and use that sauerkraut in a chocolate cake—really! Sauerkraut adds moisture and keeps the cake extra tender. 
Honey-Nut SwirlsIn Georgia, the Eastern European country, it's common for folks to enjoy a honeyed walnut candy called gozinaki. Take some inspiration from this Georgian treat and use the flavors to make these spiral sweets full of chopped walnuts, pistachios, honey and cinnamon 
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan CheesecakeThis Kentucky bourbon pecan cheesecake will wow your guests and your taste buds. Use your favorite bourbon in the recipe—and save a little extra to serve alongside each slice. 
Italian Cream Cheese CakeThis five-star cake recipe is one that guests will rave about. It's full of flavor courtesy of pecans and coconut.
Million-Dollar Pie
Is there any better way to wish for wealth and prosperity in the New Year than serving up a slice of Million-Dollar Pie? This dessert is wonderfully easy: It starts with a premade crust and it's no-bake!
Mini Bundt Cakes
Love the idea of individual cakes but don't want to go the cupcake route? These mini Bundt cakes are just-right to serve to each guest at your holiday fete.
Mimosa Butter CookiesOrange zest, orange juice and champagne make these cookies taste like everyone's favorite brunch treat. Enjoy them as New Year's Eve desserts or the next morning at brunch. 
Rich Rum CakeThis contest-winning recipe is full of flavor thanks to plenty of rum, cinnamon, orange juice and nutmeg.
Chocolate Tart
This rich pastry turns basic ingredients like chocolate, butter, egg and flour into a sublime filling and crust combo that even the most discerning chocolate lover will appreciate.
