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These festive holiday cakes can be decorated and flavored to fit any special occasion and are perfect for feeding a crowd!
Reasons We Love Holiday Cakes!
There’s just something special about baking during the holidays, isn’t there? The smell of cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar wafting through the kitchen instantly makes everything feel cozy and bright. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, a homemade cake always takes center stage on the dessert table.
Cakes are versatile and can be altered for different holidays with sprinkles and food coloring. A homemade cake can be a showstopper and perfect for feeding a large group. Many of these recipes are easy enough for beginner bakers but impressive enough to earn a spot at any holiday feast. Whether you’re whipping up a Pumpkin Cheesecake for Thanksgiving, a Yule Log cake for Christmas, or a Lemon Pound Cake for Easter brunch, these cakes are sure to make your holidays a little sweeter.
PRO TIP: Pin or bookmark this list so you’re ready with the perfect cake for every holiday celebration.
Top 10 Most Loved Holiday Cakes
Whether you need a classic Chirstmas cake or another unique, festive creation, you’ll find a recipe that fits your holiday occasion.
1 Yule Log Recipe
Yule Log Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
This yule log recipe is a traditional holiday dessert made from a chocolate cake rolled with a chocolate filling. It's beautifully tasty!
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2 Easy Pound Cake Recipe
Easy Pound Cake Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
This deliciously easy pound cake recipe is simply irresistible. It is moist, buttery, and will melt in your mouth!
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3 Pecan Pie Cheesecake Recipe
Pecan Pie Cheesecake Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Pecan pie cheesecake combines a creamy cheesecake layer with a buttery, caramel-pecan topping. It is perfectly indulgent!!
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4 Pumpkin Roll Recipe
Pumpkin Roll Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
This classic pumpkin roll with cream cheese filling is soft, spiced, and swirled to perfection for an irresistible fall dessert.
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5 Christmas Trifle
Christmas Trifle
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Indulge in chocolate and peppermint flavors with this beautiful layered Christmas trifle, a favorite holiday dessert that feeds a crowd!
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6 Pumpkin Dump Cake
Pumpkin Dump Cake
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
This simple spiced pumpkin dump cake preps in minutes for a perfectly delicious shareable dessert all fall long!
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7 Peppermint Cheesecake Recipe
Peppermint Cheesecake Recipe
Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
Oreo crust peppermint cheesecake is packed with both white and milk chocolate and loaded with peppermint flavor!!
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8 Pumpkin Crunch Cake Recipe
Pumpkin Crunch Cake Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
This Pumpkin Crunch Cake is rich, creamy, and full of fall flavor with a buttery cake topping and crunchy pecans.
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9 German Chocolate Cake
German Chocolate Cake
Total Time: 1 hour
German chocolate cake recipe is a beloved classic for its irresistible cake, rich coconut pecan filling, and decadent chocolate frosting.
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10 Homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Total Time: 45 minutes
Our homemade pineapple upside down cake is a family favorite with a secret ingredient that takes this classic to a whole new level!
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Thanksgiving + Fall Favorites
Spice, pumpkin, and cozy bakes that make the house smell amazing.
11 Libby’s Pumpkin Roll Recipe
Libby’s Pumpkin Roll Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
This delicious spiced Libby's pumpkin roll filled with tangy pineapple cream cheese frosting is a classic fall favorite!
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12 Easy Apple Cake Recipe
Easy Apple Cake Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
This easy apple cake is filled with cinnamon and apples. Top it off with ice cream and caramel sauce for the perfect fall treat!
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13 Pumpkin Bundt Cake Recipe
Pumpkin Bundt Cake Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Moist Pumpkin Bundt Cake loaded with warm spices and topped with cream cheese frosting, easy to mix, bakes tall, perfect for fall gatherings.
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14 Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
Total Time: 7 hours 25 minutes
Oreo crust, two layers of cheesecake (one plain and one with pumpkin puree), whipped cream, and chocolate ganache! Everything about this chocolate pumpkin cheesecake is heavenly.
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15 Caramel Cake
Caramel Cake
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Caramel cake is tender and tasty, with layers of light cake smothered with caramel frosting and topped off with caramel syrup!
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16 Butter Pecan Cake
Butter Pecan Cake
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Indulge in the delicious goodness of our butter pecan cake, topped with a toasted pecan buttercream frosting for a show-stealing sweet treat!
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Christmas + Winter Wonders
Peppermint, chocolate, and snowy “ooh-and-ahh” cakes.
17 Chocolate Cheesecake
Chocolate Cheesecake
Total Time: 9 hours 30 minutes
An Oreo crust, chocolate cheesecake layer, and rich chocolate ganache topping combine to make this ultimate dessert for chocoholics.
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18 Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe
Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes
Our deliciously easy chocolate cake recipe topped with homemade chocolate frosting is a no-fuss family favorite for good reason!
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19 Turtle Cheesecake Recipe
Turtle Cheesecake Recipe
Total Time: 5 hours 40 minutes
Turtle Cheesecake has a delicious crumbly crust, chocolate layer, cheesecake layer and to top it off, chocolate ganache, pecans and caramel!!
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20 Red Velvet Cake
Red Velvet Cake
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Filled with rich chocolatey flavor and topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting our classic red velvet cake is a show-stopper!
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21 Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake Recipe
Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake Recipe
Total Time: 33 minutes
Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake is filled with a delicious cream cheese layer in the center and topped with a homemade cream cheese frosting making it a delicious dessert to enjoy all year long.
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22 Red Velvet Poke Cake Recipe
Red Velvet Poke Cake Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
Delicious Red Velvet Poke Cake with homemade cream cheese frosting is moist and velvety. It's perfectly sweet for any occasion.
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New Year’s Eve Showstoppers
Glitzy, rich, and party-size picks to ring in the year.
23 Better Than Anything Cake Recipe
Better Than Anything Cake Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Quick and Easy Better than Anything Cake is a sweet cake filled with caramel and topped with cool whip and toffee bits!
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24 Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe
Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour
Indulge in this simple Chocolate Bundt Cake with chocolate glaze. It's perfect for chocolate lovers with the right amount of rich!
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25 Chocolate Sheet Cake
Chocolate Sheet Cake
Total Time: 35 minutes
Our best-loved chocolate sheet cake topped with chocolate buttercream is simply delicious and feeds a crowd!
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26 Cream Puff Cake Recipe
Cream Puff Cake Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Smooth + rich Cream Puff Cake is a take on the popular cream puff dessert. Drizzle it in chocolate for a perfect bite!
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27 Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe
Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
This timeless cream cheese pound cake recipe is soft, flavorful, and perfect topped with powdered sugar and fresh fruit.
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Easter + Spring Cakes
Light, citrusy, and pastel-pretty for brunch and baskets.
28 Easter Bunny Cake
Easter Bunny Cake
Total Time: 52 minutes
Create an adorably easy Easter Bunny cake with no special equipment, a cake mix, and homemade vanilla frosting!
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29 Strawberries and Cream Angel Food Cake Recipe
Strawberries and Cream Angel Food Cake Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
Strawberries and Cream Angel Food Cake – a sweet and delicious dessert filled with a creamy layer and topped with strawberries. It’s so simple and so delicious!
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30 Chiffon Cake Recipe
Chiffon Cake Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Chiffon cake is a moist and airy-like sponge cake with a delicate flavor. Our version is topped with a citrusy frosting with berries.
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31 Coconut Cake Recipe
Coconut Cake Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour
Tropical coconut cake is topped with a scrumptious cream cheese frosting. It's a tasty dessert to enjoy all year long!
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32 Lemon Pound Cake with Lemon Glaze
Lemon Pound Cake with Lemon Glaze
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
This bright, zesty lemon pound cake with lemon glaze has a tender crumb and a quick prep. It's the perfect sun-shiny treat!
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33 Lemon Raspberry Cake
Lemon Raspberry Cake
Total Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
This chilled lemon raspberry cake is a show-stopper dessert that uses fresh fruit for a punch of flavor and a classic combination.
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34 Strawberry Pound Cake Recipe
Strawberry Pound Cake Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Strawberry Pound Cake, with fresh strawberries and a beautiful white glaze, will be your perfect solution for the spring and summer dessert season.
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35 Banana Pudding Cake
Banana Pudding Cake
Total Time: 40 minutes
With only 10 minutes of prep, this banana pudding poke cake delivers all the flavors of banana cream pie in one easy dessert!
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Year-Round Crowd-Pleasers
Classics that fit any party theme.
36 Gooey Butter Cake Recipe
Gooey Butter Cake Recipe
Total Time: 47 minutes
Simple gooey butter cake includes a crumbly cake crust with a gooey cream cheese topping that is completely addicting!
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37 Boston Cream Pie
Boston Cream Pie
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Old-fashioned Boston cream pie is a best-loved classic cake, not pie, that is utterly decadent and delicious!
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38 White Sheet Cake Recipe
White Sheet Cake Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
This white sheet cake is moist, and is topped with an amazing frosting with hints of almond throughout. It also feeds a ton, making it great for parties and get together.
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39 Dirt Cake Recipe
Dirt Cake Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
This deliciously addictive dirt cake recipe preps in minutes for a cool, creamy, family-favorite treat perfect for Oreo lovers!
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40 Jello Cheesecake Recipe
Jello Cheesecake Recipe
Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
This easy jello cheesecake is completely no-bake and perfect for summer! You'll love the tangy, creamy filling and graham cracker crust.
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Holiday Cakes
These festive holiday cakes can be decorated and flavored to fit any special occasion and are perfect for feeding a crowd!
Video
Ingredients
for the filling:
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1â…” cups powdered sugar
- 1½ tablespoons cocoa powder
- pinch salt
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- â…“ cup mascarpone cheese
for the cake:
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 5 large eggs at room temperature
- â…” cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ÂĽ cup powdered sugar
for the ganache:
- Âľ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Buttercream Filling
- To make the filling, beat the butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, milk, and vanilla, and mix until well combined. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat until light and fluffy. Fold in the mascarpone using a rubber spatula. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Chocolate Sponge Cake
- To make the cake, preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a 13 x 18 baking sheet with cooking spray, then line with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, salt, and flour.
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the eggs and sugar together until they are light in color, fluffy, and slightly thickened (about 5-8 minutes). Add the vanilla and half of the cocoa powder mixture, and mix until combined. Add the remaining cocoa powder, and mix until combined.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Tap lightly on the counter to remove any large air bubbles. Bake the cake 8-10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, and the edges of the cake pull away from the sides of the pan.
- Dust a clean kitchen towel evenly with powdered sugar, then invert the cake onto the towel. Remove the parchment paper and sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar. Roll the cake up into a spiral, starting from the long edge, wrapping the towel inside the cake. Cool 15-20 minutes.
- After the cake has cooled, gently unroll the cake and spread the filling evenly across the cake, reserving about 1/2 cup of filling. Gently roll up the cake, being careful not to roll so tightly the filling squishes out. Wrap the cake in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least two hours.
- After the cake has chilled, trim 1/2 inch from both ends of the log to display the spiral pattern. Make a diagonal cut about 3 inches from one end of the cake, then attach the cut piece on one side of the log with the remaining filling. Fill in any gaps with the filling.
Chocolate Ganache
- To make the ganache, heat the heavy cream to boiling in a microwave safe bowl or measuring cup, about 2 minutes. Place the chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Pour the cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for one minute, then stir until the ganache is smooth and the chocolate chips are completely melted.
- Let the ganache cool 10-15 minutes, until slightly thickened. Spoon the ganache over the yule log, covering all surfaces except the cut ends of the cake. Refrigerate 15 minutes, then make a swirl pattern in the ganache using the back of a spoon to resemble tree bark. Refrigerate at least one hour, until set. When ready to serve, move the cake to a serving platter and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Notes
Optional garnish. Meringue mushrooms, sprigs of rosemary and sugared cranberries, pine cones, a dusting of powdered sugar to resemble snow
Prep ahead of time.
- Option 1. The sponge cake and filling can be made 1-2 days in advance. Store the filling in an airtight container in the fridge. Once the cake has cooled in the towel, remove the towel, place a piece of wax paper over the top, and reroll it. Wrap it with plastic wrap until you’re ready to assemble.Â
- Option 2. Apply the filling, roll the cake wrap, and store in the fridge for 1-2 days, or wrap in aluminum foil and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 475kcal, Carbohydrates: 51g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Cholesterol: 140mg, Sodium: 244mg, Potassium: 227mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 43g, Vitamin A: 779IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 57mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
