why make this recipe
Christmas Cake is a festive delight that brings joy to the holiday season. This cake is rich, flavorful, and beautifully decorated, making it perfect for gatherings, family dinners, and celebrations. The traditional spices evoke warm holiday memories, and the act of decorating the cake can be a fun activity to involve family and friends. By making your own Christmas Cake, you can appreciate the flavors and customizations while creating a centerpiece for your holiday table.
how to make Christmas Cake
Ingredients
- 2 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ยฝ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ยฝ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ยฝ teaspoon ground ginger
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ยฝ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 2โ3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- Red sugar pearls (for decoration)
- Edible gold glitter or sprinkles
- Green fondant or gum paste (for holly leaves)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Meringue cookies or piped frosting swirls
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Stir just until everything is combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar while mixing on low speed. Then, add the vanilla extract and heavy cream. Beat on high for 2-3 minutes until fluffy.
- Take the first layer of the cake and spread a layer of frosting on top. Place the second layer on top and apply a thin crumb coat. Chill for 30 minutes before frosting the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
- Decorate with fondant holly leaves, red sugar pearls for berries, and sprinkle with powdered sugar and gold glitter.
how to serve Christmas Cake
Serve Christmas Cake as a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday table. Slice it into generous portions and pair it with a cup of hot cocoa or eggnog. To make it extra festive, you can add a dollop of whipped cream or serve it with ice cream on the side. The cake can be enjoyed on Christmas Day or throughout the holiday season.
how to store Christmas Cake
Store your Christmas Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it. When properly stored, the cake can last for up to a week in the refrigerator. Just remember to bring it back to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
tips to make Christmas Cake
- Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you start baking. This helps the batter mix better.
- Donโt overmix the batter once you add the dry ingredients. Mix just until everything is combined to keep your cake light and fluffy.
- Allow the cakes to fully cool before frosting them. This prevents the frosting from melting and sliding off.
- Experiment with decorations! You can use fresh berries, nuts, or even chocolate shavings for a unique touch.
variation
You can easily customize this Christmas Cake by adding dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped nuts to the batter. For a chocolate version, replace some of the flour with cocoa powder. Adjust the spices according to your taste, or add a hint of orange zest for a citrusy twist.
FAQs
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cakes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. Just frost them when you’re ready to serve.
Is it possible to freeze the cake?
Yes, you can freeze the un-frosted cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
How can I make the cake extra moist?
Using buttermilk adds moisture, but you can also brush the cake layers with a simple syrup (water and sugar boiled together) before frosting them to enhance their moisture.
Print
Christmas Cake
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich and flavorful cake decorated for the holiday season, perfect for gatherings and celebrations.
Ingredients
- 2 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ยฝ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ยฝ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ยฝ teaspoon ground ginger
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ยฝ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 2โ3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- Red sugar pearls (for decoration)
- Edible gold glitter or sprinkles
- Green fondant or gum paste (for holly leaves)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Meringue cookies or piped frosting swirls
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Stir just until everything is combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar while mixing on low speed. Then, add the vanilla extract and heavy cream. Beat on high for 2-3 minutes until fluffy.
- Take the first layer of the cake and spread a layer of frosting on top. Place the second layer on top and apply a thin crumb coat. Chill for 30 minutes before frosting the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
- Decorate with fondant holly leaves, red sugar pearls for berries, and sprinkle with powdered sugar and gold glitter.
Notes
Store your Christmas Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
