Sure, sure, there's your aunt's gingerbread cookies and your friend's peppermint bark recipe to snack on throughout the holidays. But when your advent calendar is finally empty, it's time to bring out the over-the-top extravagant Christmas desserts — and by that, we mean reindeer cake pops, eggnog cheesecake, and multi-layer Christmas cakes that take Christmas treats to the next level.
If you're hosting a Christmas party this year, or are just looking for a new recipe to bring to your in-law's house, these easy Christmas cake ideas will have guests putting down the snowman-shaped sugar cookies and cutting a slice of the Bûche de Noël (or better yet, having some of each).
These yummy cake recipes take traditional symbols from the holidays and mix them together with seasonal ingredients. That means you'll see lots of cranberries, citrus, molasses, and chocolate, to name a few scrumptious ingredients. And if one of the kids' birthday is in December, then any one of these recipes would make the most perfect birthday cake for a winter occasion. If you're lucky, there may even be some leftovers for you and the family to enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate after a day out in the snow!
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Wreath Cake
This decadent cake can serve as your table's centerpiece — until it's devoured.
There's nothing more universally beloved that a delicious, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake. This cake will be a hit at any Christmas event you have on your holiday calendar.
If you're looking for a kid-friendly Christmas cake, it doesn't get better than this. And even though it might look complicated, with a little piping skill, this is a pretty easy recipe (with a big pay-off).
Impress your guests this Christmas with this cannoli-inspired cake. The green of the crushed pistachios add a subtle, but festive feel, and the orange, ricotta, and chocolate flavors perfectly complement one another.
The tart flavor of cranberry pairs perfectly with cheesecake in this recipe. Add some crystallized cranberries on top with rosemary sprigs for a more Christmas-y feel.
The extra shiny addition of melted chocolate creates a festive-looking bundt cake in this recipe. The oatmeal part of the recipe is unexpected, making it a creative (and gluten-free) dessert for any Christmas party.
This citrusy cake isn't overly sweet, so it'll be loved by parents and kids alike. The flavors are unique, so it will become a classic holiday recipe for your family.
Angel food cake is typically associated with fruity toppings, but combining it with chocolate is a game changer. Plus, the hint of orange zest in this recipe makes it feel just festive enough.
The secret to this not-too-sweet dessert: Studding the cake with tart cranberries and adding a decent sprinkle of salt balances the bold caramel flavors of this decadent sweet.
Be weary that this chocolate cake has two sources of caffeine rolled in — although the coffee liqueur is optional for a more kid-friendly treat. Then again, maybe it's best they stick to regular chocolate cake as they may not be able to fall asleep on Christmas Eve with a sliver of this one.
Okay, so ice cream cake may not be the first thing you're craving in the winter, but this recipe comes together so quickly thanks to pre-made brownie mix, you won't even care.
As long as you have four to five ripe bananas sitting around the kitchen, you can prepare this breakfast cake perfect for post-present-opening on Christmas Day.
Coffee lovers will be gathering around this cake which is iced to perfection with coffee buttercream. You can garnish with a chocolate fudge sauce or chocolate-covered espresso beans.
If you're already prepared mulled wine for your Christmas Eve party, then you might as well set aside some of those same ingredients to make a mulled wine syrup that will turn your typical vanilla sponge cake into a red wine dream.
Gingerbread cookies are always a yes, but the same flavors you love all baked a cake (and topped with a few gingerbread cookies) will have you questioning what's your favorite Christmas treat.
Elizabeth BerryEditorial AssistantElizabeth Berry (she/her) is the digital editorial assistant for Woman’s Day, where she covers seasonal recipes, holiday gift ideas, and other lifestyle topics for the website.
