Christmas cake ideas come in all shapes and sizes—from yule logs to towering layer cakes to antlered reindeer treats. Find recipes for a sweet holiday centerpiece.
44 Holly Jolly Christmas Cake Ideas
Updated on Oct. 03, 2024
1/44
Chocolate Yule Log
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A Yule log cake, also called a Buche de Noel, is a rolled sponge cake shaped and decorated to resemble a wooden log. This fanciful dessert is a holiday baking tradition that dates back to 19th-century France. This particular chocolate Yule log recipe from Bernadette Colvin of Tomball, Texas, has been a favorite Christmas dessert for her family. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
A yule log cake, also called a Buche de Noel, is a rolled sponge cake shaped and decorated to resemble a wooden log. This fanciful dessert is a holiday baking tradition that dates back to 19th century France, and it’s one of those Christmas cake ideas we can’t get enough of.
Grandma’s Red Velvet Cake
A stunning red velvet cake topped with snowy white icing is the perfect holiday centerpiece. Make sure you have plenty of red food coloring on hand (we know it sees a lot of use this time of year!). To decorate, make it easy on yourself and top with small bottlebrush trees.
2/44
3/44
Eggnog Tres Leches Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When the holidays roll around, my family eagerly anticipates sampling this cake. Its rich eggnog flavor is delightful. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois
During the holidays, give a classic tres leches cake a seasonal makeover. This recipe uses eggnog in place of heavy cream. It’s one of our favorite ways to use eggnog this time of year.
4/44
Mint Swirl Fudge Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mint pairs with a silky, mild chocolate flavor for this colorful, beautiful cake that will be the talk of the holiday buffet. —Heidi Kelly, Norwood, Missouri
Creme de menthe gives this cake its signature color and flavor. Guests will be pleasantly surprised to a see a minty ribbon when you slice into this Bundt cake.
5/44
Baklava Cheesecake
Total Time
2 hours 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My unique baklava cheesecake makes a grand display for office parties and other special events. —Aryanna Gamble, New Orleans, Louisiana
The phyllo crust of this cheesecake gives this Christmas dessert a wonderful crunch. For a holiday look, garnish with rosemary sprigs and sugared cranberries.
6/44
Upside-Down Fruitcake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I get tired of people bad-mouthing fruitcake. It's one of my favorite holiday flavors and I look forward to it every year. This year, I decided to combine it with everyone's favorite, upside-down cake. Try to say no to this fruitcake—I dare you! —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Looking for Christmas cake ideas you’ve never seen before? This recipe turns a classic fruitcake on its head—literally. This cake is topped with plenty of holiday fruits and a good splash of bourbon (you could also use rum).
7/44
Reindeer Cake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Whether you turn this cake into a reindeer or decorate it with your own creative vision, it’s a three-layer stunner that will command center stage at your next holiday get-together. Embrace your baking prowess! —Lauren Knoelke, Des Moines, IA
Who doesn’t love a cake that goes over the top—especially for the most festive holiday of the year. This reindeer cake uses melted chocolate for antlers and buttercream icing for all the piped details.
8/44
Minted Chocolate Torte
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our family has enjoyed this remarkable layered cake for years. It's a favorite for many occasions. —Barbara Humiston, Tampa, Florida
This torte (that’s a cake with many thin layers) is a wonderful addition to your Christmas sweet spread. Topped with a fudgy frosting and crushed mint candies, how could anyone resist?
Vanilla Ring Cake
Our Test Kitchen uses this classic vanilla ring cake to make this stacked Bundt cake tree. To hold the tiers in place, use bamboo skewers. Then top with plenty of icing and holiday sprinkles and sugar.
9/44
10/44
Mama’s Spice Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever I get a craving for a tasty old-fashioned treat, I make this cake. Great cooks in my family have been baking it for generations, and their families have been enjoying the wonderful spice flavor and rich frosting.
—Nancy Duty, Jacksonville, Florida
Got a craving for old-fashioned desserts this holiday season? Get some Christmas cake ideas from Grandma’s recipe box, including this spice cake. It’s flavored with cinnamon, allspice, cloves and nutmeg. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and sage leaves for a truly seasonal look.
11/44
Gingerbread Bundt Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This gorgeous gingerbread Bundt cake's light and airy yet moist texture has made me a true fan. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
The holidays are a great excuse to break out festive cake pans. Use a fun Bundt pan to create this gingerbread cake. The best part of this style of cake: a dusting of confectioners’ sugar is all you need to decorate.
12/44
Cranberry Layer Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I adapted a Bundt cake recipe to create this layer cake. Cranberries, walnuts and homemade frosting make it taste so delicious that you'd never guess it starts with a convenient cake mix. —Sandy Burkett, Galena, Ohio
This cake combines cranberry and orange, one of the season’s best flavor combos. In each slice, you’ll also get the crunch of walnuts.
14/44
Coffee Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Coffee lovers will line up for this rich coffee cheesecake. It's creamy and just mildly sweet, which allows the coffee flavor to shine through. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
For an after-dinner pick-me-up, serve this coffee cheesecake. It’s rich yet not too sweet. And be sure to follow these steps to prevent your cheesecake from cracking.
15/44
Eggnog Pound Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When you're having company, this cake—served with a custard sauce and a dash of nutmeg—inspires oohs and aahs.
This cake starts with a package of yellow cake mix and then gets infused with plenty of flavor thanks to eggnog and a sprinkling of nutmeg. Serve slices with a spoonful of velvety custard sauce.
16/44
Gingerbread Roll Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This nicely seasoned gingerbread holds a sweet, creamy filling. This gingerbread yule log is surprisingly light, so it's easy to indulge in a generous slice after a hearty meal. —Bernadette Colvin, Lexington, Kentucky
17/44
Rich Cranberry Coffee Cake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
about 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When our children come home for the holidays, I make sure to bake this cranberry coffee cake. I always use fresh berries in season, then put a few bags in the freezer for later on. That way, we can enjoy this moist cake any time we want! —Mildred Schwartzentruber, Tavistock, Ontario
Hosting a holiday brunch? You can still make a Christmas cake—just make it coffee cake! This recipe uses tart cranberries and rich cream cheese.
18/44
Coconut Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
“This cake is easy to make and is always a big hit,” writes Lisa Varner from Charleston, South Carolina. “I like to serve it with ice cream for a double-dose treat!”
19/44
Pineapple & Macadamia Nut Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious cake is one of my own invention. It's been a huge hit among family and friends and even inspired fierce bidding at a local charity auction! —Greta Kirby, Carthage, Tennessee
While you can lean into seasonal flavors for Christmas cake ideas, you can also try something entirely different! This cake looks wonderfully wintry, but inside it’s full of pineapple and macadamia nut flavor.
20/44
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One bite of fudgy flourless chocolate cake and you'll see why it's pure pleasure for confirmed chocoholics! A small slice of this rich, dense dessert goes a long way.
21/44
Peppermint Cheesecake on a Stick
Total Time
2 hours 15 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Surprise guests with a fun holiday treat—dipped cheesecake wedges you can eat without a fork. Whenever my son has one, he jokes that he wants to quit his job so he can sell them! —Maria Morelli, Kelowna, British Columbia
Christmas cake ideas come in all forms—including on a stick! Dip slices of cheesecake in chocolate, then drizzle with icing. If you want to take it over the top, add a smattering of sprinkles.
22/44
Contest-Winning Eggnog Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This impressive layered eggnog cake, perfect for holiday parties, will make you wish eggnog wasn't a seasonal ingredient. —Debra Frappolli, Wayne, New Jersey
This impressive layer cake uses eggnog in the cake and the frosting. Make sure you have a full carton of eggnog in your fridge before you start this recipe!
23/44
Cranberry Christmas Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The ruby cranberries in this recipe stay bright and beautiful, and their tartness is irresistible. I've made this cranberry Christmas cake many times to share. —Marilyn Paradis, Woodburn, Oregon
Who doesn’t love an easy dessert, especially during the busy Christmas season? This cake takes just minutes to prep and makes enough to serve a whole crowd—perfect for a packed holiday house.
24/44
Cherry Chocolate Marble Cake
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cherries and chocolate are natural partners that make desserts such as this simply scrumptious! The marbled effect is easily achieved by layering the two contrasting batters. —Sandra Campbell, Chase Mills, New York
Chocolate-covered cherries pop up on treat platters this time of year. Transform these candies into a dessert to share with this marbled chocolate cake.
25/44
Italian Cream Cheese Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Buttermilk makes every bite of this awesome Italian cream cheese cake recipe moist and flavorful. I rely on this recipe year-round. —Joyce Lutz, Centerview, Missouri
This time of year, many of us lean into cultural traditions. After serving up a delicious Feast of the Seven Fishes, serve up an Italian-inspired cake like this one.
26/44
Ginger-Glazed Lemon Bundt
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Tangy ginger, tart lemon and puckery cranberries make this melt-in-your-mouth cake as crisp—and gorgeous—as autumn. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Citrus is at its peak in the winter months. Use plenty of lemons to flavor this cake—and then add ginger to add extra zing.
27/44
Holiday Snow Globe Cake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I can change up the decorations on this cake depending on the holiday—or birthday. My daughter loves this Christmas version. —Marie Louise Ludwig, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Really want to show off your cake-decorating skills? This cake is it! Create holiday figures from fondant or cookies and then place a glass dome over the top. This will give it a snow globe effect.
28/44
Mint Angel Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One sight of this lovely cake will have guests saving room for dessert! For an easy garnish, sprinkle with crushed mint candies.—Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
One sight of this light and lovely cake will have guests saving room for dessert! For an easy garnish, sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.
29/44
Olive Oil Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A good olive oil cake isn't overly sweet, so it can just as easily be a breakfast treat or an afternoon snack as a dessert. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
During the Christmas season, you’ll find yourself bombarded with sweets. After enjoying plenty of cookies (and a Christmas feast), serve up a treat that’s not overly sugary. This olive oil cake is a great Italian treat that’s flavored with plenty of almonds. It’s great after dinner or served alongside brunch.
30/44
Chocolate Hazelnut Torte
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Most cake recipes feed a crowd. So we came up with this elegant little cake that serves six. That's enough for two…with just the right amount of leftovers! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
For those looking for Christmas cake ideas that are also small-batch, try this recipe! It makes just enough cake to serve six. Plus, with plenty of chocolate flavor and hazelnuts, no one will be able to resist.
31/44
Red Velvet Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious red velvet pound cake is the perfect combination of flavors. Make sure the cake has cooled before icing it; for extra crunch sprinkle some roasted pecans on top. —Robin Smith, Old Fort, North Carolina
This delicious red velvet pound cake is the perfect combination of flavors: a hint of chocolate and cream cheese. Make sure the cake has cooled before icing it; for extra crunch sprinkle some roasted pecans on top.
32/44
Poteca Cake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
“Rock Springs is home to 56 nationalities, and this recipe showcases its Slavic heritage. It’s one of my favorite ethnic holiday treats.”
—Rachelle Stratton
Rock Springs, Wyoming
Poteca is a popular Slavic dessert. This nutty cake takes some time to make, so it’s often saved for special occasions like Christmas.
33/44
Holiday White Fruitcake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
4 loaves (16 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Years ago, when I attended Koloa Missionary Church in Hawaii, a friend gave me this recipe. Now I whip up at least 60 loaves for the holidays. —Eileen Sokolowski Flatt, Chandler, Arizona
What is a list of Christmas cake ideas without fruitcake? This white fruitcake is one of our top-rated recipes and pleases even those skeptical of this traditional treat.
34/44
Peppermint Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
People are thrilled when they see me coming with this rich, smooth cheesecake—it's always a crowd pleaser. Not only does it look sensational, but it is so scrumptious. —Carrie Price, Ottawa, Illinois
Crushed Oreos form the foundation for this cheesecake. Paired with a creamy peppermint filling, your guests will be lining up for a second slice!
35/44
Gingerbread Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The rich molasses and spice flavor of this old-time dessert is complemented with a buttery caramel sauce.—Joy Sparks, Muskegon, Michigan
36/44
Chocolate Cake Roll with Praline Filling
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This show-stopping cake roll was one of the first “complicated” recipes I ever attempted to prepare. I discovered it was easier to make than I’d thought--and worth every bit of effort! — Joan Carrico, Grand Junction, Colorado
Learning how to make a cake roll is so satisfying—and the results look impressive. This recipe pairs chocolate cake with a creamy frosting speckled with praline.
37/44
Coconut Chiffon Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Toasted coconut adds visual appeal to this tall and impressive cake. With an airy texture and heavenly coconut-ginger flavor,it's a lovely end to meals throughout the year.
Chiffon cakes have a very light texture, meaning almost everyone at the dinner table will be able to make room for a slice. Be sure to toast the coconut for color, crunch and flavor.
38/44
Ginger-Walnut Tube Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband, Ken, loves this tube cake with its bits of crystallized ginger. Feel free to drizzle it with a lemony glaze. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, NJ
Crystallized ginger adds crunch and zingy flavor to this pound cake. Be sure to save some extra tidbits to sprinkle over the top along with a simple glaze.
39/44
White Christmas Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
"Wow!" is the reaction from family and guests when they see and taste this lovely three-layer beauty. White chocolate, coconut and pecans make it so delicious. You can bake the cake layers in advance and freeze them. Then assemble and decorate the cake the day of the party. —Nancy Reichert, Thomasville, Georgia
Dreaming of a white Christmas? You can get a bite of it with this cake: a fluffy white sponge filled with pecans and coconut. This layered confection is topped with a velvety cream cheese frosting.
40/44
Brown Sugar Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tender pound cake is the first one I mastered. You'll want to eat the browned butter icing by the spoonful. It tastes like pralines. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida
This pound cake is so simple to make. The best part: The browned butter icing tastes just like pralines.
41/44
Sacher Torte
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Guests will be surprised to hear that this Sacher torte recipe starts with a convenient cake mix. Each bite features chocolate, almonds and apricots. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Sacher torte is a traditional Austrian dessert. While it’s served all year long, it’s particularly popular at Christmas. This version is simple to make at home; it starts with a chocolate cake mix!
42/44
Plum Poppy Seed Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe uses plums and poppy seeds for the most traditional Polish version of this dessert, but you can also use nectarines or even apricots. One tip: Do not push the plums into the batter. Just let them sit on top. They will sink in a bit as they bake. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, WI
43/44
Festive Cranberry Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Each fall here in Alaska, an abundant crop of wild cranberries is ripe for cooking. This cake, a favorite in my family, makes good use of the harvest. What's more, since you can prepare it the night before your Thanksgiving celebration, the recipe is a real timesaver at a hectic time of year. —Gladys Wilson, Anchorage, Alaska
This cake is chock-full of cranberries—perfect for the holiday season. Make this cake in advance. It tastes best after the flavors develop overnight.
44/44
Rich Rum Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We like a touch of rum for the holidays, and this orangy rum cake is decadent alone or with big swoops of whipped cream. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Get into the Christmas spirit(s) with this rum-soaked cake. For the holidays, be sure to break out a bottle of the good stuff.
