When it comes to holiday celebrations, nothing beats a delicious and festive cake. But with all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, who has time for complicated recipes? That's why we've put together the ultimate easy holiday cake recipe that is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth. So grab your apron and get ready to make a mouth-watering dessert that will be the highlight of your holiday feast.
The holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in some delicious and festive treats, and what better way to celebrate than with a holiday cake? Whether you're looking for a classic recipe or something with a fun twist, we've got you covered with our top 20 holiday cake recipes. From traditional flavors like pumpkin and cranberry, to more unique combinations like chocolate peppermint and pumpkin chai, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
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Sparkly Holiday Cake Bites
Main Ingredients: Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Frosting, Chocolate Chips
These sparkly holiday cake bites are perfect for any holiday party or gathering. Made with a simple cake mix, these bites are easy to make and even easier to eat. The best part? They're topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting and dusted with edible glitter for a festive touch. These bite-sized treats are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
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Holiday Cake Mix Bars
Main Ingredients: Cream Cheese, Unsalted Butter, Duncan Hines Classic
If you're short on time but still want to impress your guests with a delicious holiday treat, these holiday cake mix bars are the perfect solution. Made with just a few ingredients, including a box of yellow cake mix, these bars are quick and easy to make. Plus, they can be customized with your favorite holiday sprinkles or candies for a fun and festive touch.
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Chocolate Peppermint Holiday Cake
Main Ingredients: Cakes, Butter, Cream Cheese, Salt, Food Color, Vanilla
Chocolate and peppermint is a classic holiday flavor combination, and this cake does not disappoint. Made with a rich and decadent chocolate cake, layered with a creamy peppermint frosting, and topped with crushed candy canes, this cake is a showstopper. It's the perfect dessert to serve at your holiday dinner party or to bring to a potluck.
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Easy Holiday Cake Mix Bars
Main Ingredients: Red Velvet Cake Mix, Butter, Egg, Sweetened Condensed
If you're a fan of cake mix bars, you'll love this easy holiday version. Made with just a box of white cake mix, butter, and holiday sprinkles, these bars are a fun and festive treat. Plus, they can easily be customized with different cake mix flavors and toppings to suit your tastes.
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Holiday Cake Batter Bark
Main Ingredients: Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate, Yellow Cake Mix
If you're a fan of cookie dough, you'll love this holiday cake batter bark. Made with white chocolate chips and a box of yellow cake mix, this bark is a fun and unique twist on the classic holiday treat. It's also a great option for gift-giving, as it can be packaged in cute holiday tins or bags.
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Holiday Cake Mix Cookies
Main Ingredients: Vanilla Cake Mix, Baking Powder, Eggs, Canola Oil
If you're looking for a quick and easy holiday cookie recipe, look no further than these cake mix cookies. Made with just a box of cake mix, eggs, and oil, these cookies are soft, chewy, and can be customized with your favorite holiday sprinkles or decorations. They're perfect for holiday cookie exchanges or a sweet treat to enjoy at home.
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Cranberry Pumpkin Holiday Cake
Main Ingredients: Crisco, Flour, Finely Chopped Pecans, Golden Raisins
For a more traditional holiday flavor, this cranberry pumpkin cake is a must-try. Made with canned pumpkin, fresh cranberries, and warm spices, this cake is both festive and flavorful. It's also a great way to use up any leftover cranberries from your holiday feast.
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Ho Ho Ho Holiday Cake
Main Ingredients: Chocolate Cake Mix, Eggs, Vegetable Oil, Coke, Cherry
This festive holiday cake is sure to put a smile on everyone's face. Made with layers of red velvet and vanilla cake, and topped with a sweet cream cheese frosting, this cake is perfect for any Christmas celebration. The "Ho Ho Ho" design on top can easily be created with a piping bag and some red food coloring, making this cake a fun project for kids to help with.
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Fluffy White Raspberry Holiday Cake
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Sugar, Baking Powder, Salt, Butter
If you're looking for a lighter and fresher holiday dessert, this fluffy white raspberry cake is the perfect option. Made with angel food cake mix and fresh raspberries, this cake is light, airy, and bursting with flavor. It's also a great option for those who prefer a less sweet dessert.
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Simple Chocolate Yule Log Holiday Cake
Main Ingredients: Dutch Process Cocoa, Boiling Water, Unsalted Butter
The yule log is a classic holiday dessert, and this simple chocolate version is sure to impress. Made with a moist chocolate sponge cake and a rich chocolate ganache, this yule log is both decadent and delicious. It's also a great option for those with nut allergies, as it does not contain any ground almonds like traditional yule logs.
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Nilla Holiday "Cake" Bites! {Easy Christmas}
Main Ingredients: Nilla Wafers, Orange Juice, Raspberry Jam, Vanilla
If you're a fan of Nilla wafers, you'll love these holiday "cake" bites. Made with crushed Nilla wafers and a cream cheese frosting, these bites are a fun and easy dessert to make for any holiday gathering. Plus, they can be decorated with holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes for a festive touch.
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All Purpose Holiday Cake or Apple Cranberry Bourbon...
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Baking Soda, Salt, Vegetable Oil
If you're looking for a versatile holiday cake recipe, this all-purpose cake is a great option. Made with fresh apples, cranberries, and a splash of bourbon, this cake can be served for breakfast, as a dessert, or even as a side dish alongside your holiday meal. It's also a great way to sneak in some fruit during the holiday season.
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Holiday Honeycrisp Salad
Main Ingredients: Virgin Olive Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Unsweetened
For a healthier option to balance out all the holiday treats, this holiday honeycrisp salad is a great choice. Made with fresh honeycrisp apples, dried cranberries, and a homemade honey mustard dressing, this salad is both sweet and savory. It's a great side dish to serve at any holiday meal.
No holiday celebration is complete without a delicious cup of eggnog. This spiked version is perfect for adults looking for a little extra holiday cheer. Made with eggnog, rum, and a sprinkle of nutmeg, this festive drink will warm you up from the inside out.
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Pumpkin Chai Holiday Cupcakes
Main Ingredients: Boiling Water, Tea Bags, All Purpose Flour, Dark Brown
If you're a fan of pumpkin spice, you'll love these pumpkin chai holiday cupcakes. Made with a spiced pumpkin cake and a creamy chai frosting, these cupcakes are a unique and tasty addition to any holiday dessert spread. They're also a great option for those who prefer a less sweet dessert.
Looking for a fun and festive drink to serve at your holiday party? Look no further than this jingle juice holiday punch. Made with cranberry juice, orange juice, and a splash of vodka, this punch is refreshing, fruity, and oh-so-festive. Plus, the addition of fresh cranberries and rosemary makes for a beautiful presentation.
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10 Holiday Side Dishes
Main Ingredients: Brussels Sprouts, Olive Oil, Salt, Butternut Squash
While the main course may get all the attention, let's not forget about the side dishes at your holiday meal. This list of 10 holiday side dishes includes some classic favorites like green bean casserole and mashed potatoes, as well as some unique options like roasted Brussels sprouts with cranberries and bacon. These dishes are sure to impress and complement any holiday meal.
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Sugarplum Holiday Cake
Main Ingredients: Egg Whites, Imperial Sugar Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
This sugarplum holiday cake is a dreamy and whimsical addition to any holiday dessert table. Made with a vanilla cake and a swirl of purple and pink frosting, this cake is inspired by the famous sugarplum fairy from The Nutcracker. It's a great option for those who love a little extra magic during the holiday season.
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Holiday Cake Bon Bons
Main Ingredients: Cake Mix, Water, Vegetable Oil, Eggs, Frosting, Vanilla
If you're looking for a bite-sized holiday treat, these cake bon bons are the perfect option. Made with crumbled cake, cream cheese, and chocolate coating, these bon bons are easy to make and can be decorated with festive sprinkles or drizzled with different types of chocolate. They're also a great option for gift-giving or to bring to a holiday potluck.
Simple Ingredients, Incredible Flavor
What You'll Need:
1 box of yellow cake mix
1 can of cranberry sauce
1 cup of fresh cranberries
1 cup of chopped pecans
1 cup of water
1/3 cup of vegetable oil
3 eggs
Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl until well combined. The yellow cake mix provides a perfect base for this holiday cake, while the cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries add a tangy and festive flavor. The chopped pecans add a delightful crunch and the water, vegetable oil, and eggs ensure a moist and fluffy cake.
A Simple and Beautiful Presentation
Once your batter is ready, pour it into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 10-15 minutes before removing it from the pan.
For the finishing touch, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar and decorate with some additional fresh cranberries and chopped pecans. The result is a stunning and delicious holiday cake that will impress your guests without requiring hours in the kitchen.
Make it Your Own
This easy holiday cake recipe is also incredibly versatile. If you're not a fan of cranberries, you can substitute them with your favorite fruit or even chocolate chips. And if you're feeling extra indulgent, top the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
With this easy holiday cake recipe, you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the festivities with your loved ones. Happy baking!
