For chocolate lovers, Christmas is the perfect time to indulge in decadent treats. And what better way to satisfy your sweet tooth than with a rich and delicious chocolate Christmas cake? Nigella Lawson, a renowned chef and food writer, has shared her famous chocolate Christmas cake recipe that is sure to impress your family and friends this holiday season. So, get your apron on and let's dive into the details of this delectable dessert.
Christmas is the perfect time to indulge in some delicious and festive treats, and what better way to celebrate than with a mouth-watering Christmas cake? From traditional fruit cakes to modern twists on the classic, we've got you covered with our top 20 Christmas cake recipes.
If you're tired of the usual round Christmas cake, why not try a Christmas cake roll? This impressive dessert is made with a light and fluffy sponge cake rolled with a rich and creamy filling, perfect for any festive gathering. Plus, the rolling technique allows for endless possibilities for decoration, making it a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday table.
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Chocolate Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
Main Ingredients: Chocolate Cake Mix, M Ms, Eggs, Vegetable Oil, Sliced
If you're short on time but still want to whip up a delicious Christmas treat, these Chocolate Christmas Cake Mix Cookies are the perfect solution. Made with just a few simple ingredients, these cookies are rich, fudgy, and full of festive flavors. Plus, they're great for gifting to friends and family or for leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve.
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Christmas Cake Muffins with Sugared Pecans
Main Ingredients: Fruits, Sherry, Oranges, Unsalted Butter, Light Brown
If you're looking for a fun and unique way to enjoy your Christmas cake, why not try making these Christmas cake muffins? Topped with sugared pecans for a crunch and a drizzle of icing for a touch of sweetness, these muffins are a great treat for breakfast or as a snack throughout the day.
Main Ingredients: Large Eggs, White Sugar, Brown Sugar, All Purpose
The Yule log, or Buche de Noel, is a classic Christmas dessert that originated in France. This impressive cake is shaped to look like a log and is traditionally made with a chocolate sponge cake rolled with a rich chocolate frosting. It's a must-have for any holiday celebration and is sure to impress your guests.
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Minty Christmas Ice Cream Cake
Main Ingredients: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Chocolate, Flaked
If you're looking for a refreshing and unique Christmas dessert, this Minty Christmas Ice Cream Cake is the perfect choice. Made with layers of mint chocolate chip ice cream, chocolate cake, and crushed candy canes, this cake is both delicious and festive. Plus, it's a great make-ahead option for those busy holiday gatherings.
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Pandoro Christmas Tree Cake (Italian Christmas Cake)
Main Ingredients: Cake, Mascarpone, Vin Santo, Powdered Sugar
If you want to try something different this Christmas, why not try this Pandoro Christmas Tree Cake? Originating from Italy, this cake is made with a rich and buttery bread called Pandoro, which is shaped like a Christmas tree and covered in a light and fluffy frosting. It's a fun and delicious twist on the traditional Christmas cake.
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Cranberry Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Canela, Baking Powder, Baking Soda
Cranberries are a staple of the holiday season, so why not incorporate them into your Christmas cake? This Cranberry Christmas Cake is a delicious combination of tangy cranberries, sweet apples, and warm spices, all topped with a creamy and decadent frosting. It's the perfect balance of flavors and textures for a festive dessert.
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Toffee Pecan Christmas Cookies
Main Ingredients: Light Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar, Country Crock
These Toffee Pecan Christmas Cookies are a delightful treat that combines the traditional flavors of Christmas with a crunchy and chewy texture. The toffee bits and chopped pecans add a delicious crunch to these soft and buttery cookies, making them a must-have for your holiday cookie platter.
If you're a fan of sweet and salty treats, then you'll love this Christmas Crack. Made with just a few ingredients, including saltine crackers, chocolate, and toffee bits, this addictive treat is perfect for snacking on during the holidays. Just be careful - it's called crack for a reason!
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Cherry Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Water, Lemon Juice, Granulated Sugar, Corn Starch
Cherries are another popular holiday flavor, and this Cherry Christmas Cake is a great way to incorporate them into your dessert. Made with cherry pie filling and almond extract, this cake is bursting with flavor and topped with a creamy and decadent frosting. Plus, the vibrant red color makes it a festive addition to any table.
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Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls
Main Ingredients: Vanilla, Cream Cheese, Candy Melts, Sanding Sugar
If you're a fan of the classic Little Debbie snack cakes, then you'll love these Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls. Made with crushed snack cakes, cream cheese, and a coating of chocolate, these bite-sized treats are a fun and delicious way to enjoy your favorite childhood snack in a new and festive way.
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Christmas Cake Jars
Main Ingredients: Red Velvet Cake Mix, White Cake Mix, Unsalted Butter
Jar desserts are all the rage, and these Christmas Cake Jars are no exception. Layered with moist cake, creamy frosting, and festive sprinkles, these jars are not only cute and charming, but they also make for a great edible gift. They're also a fun and easy dessert to make with kids!
If you're a fan of white chocolate, then this White Chocolate Christmas Cake is a must-try for the holiday season. Made with a white chocolate sponge cake, filled with a creamy white chocolate filling, and topped with a white chocolate ganache, this cake is truly a white chocolate lover's dream come true.
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Christmas Cake Batter Truffles
Main Ingredients: White Cake Mix, All Purpose Flour, Granulated Sugar
Truffles are a decadent and indulgent treat, perfect for the holidays. These Christmas Cake Batter Truffles are made with crushed cake, cream cheese, and sprinkles, all coated in a rich and creamy white chocolate. They're a fun and unique way to enjoy your favorite Christmas flavors in a bite-sized treat.
No Christmas celebration is complete without some homemade candy, and this Easy Christmas Candy is a great choice for a quick and delicious treat. Made with just a few ingredients, including chocolate, pretzels, and M&M's, this candy is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
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Nightmare Before Christmas Cake (Jack Skellington Cake)
Main Ingredients: Large Egg Whites, Granulated Sugar, Salted Butter
If you're a fan of the classic movie, "The Nightmare Before Christmas," then you'll love this Jack Skellington Cake. This spooky and whimsical cake is perfect for a Halloween-themed Christmas celebration and is sure to impress your guests with its creative design and delicious flavors.
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Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
Main Ingredients: White Cake Mix, Large Eggs, Soda, M Ms, White Chocolate
If you're a fan of cake mix cookies, then you'll love these Christmas Cake Mix Cookies. Made with a boxed cake mix, these cookies are quick and easy to make, and you can customize them with your favorite mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, nuts, or sprinkles. They're a fun and festive treat for any holiday gathering.
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Glazed & Decorated Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: Bittersweet Chocolate, Golden Raisins, Candied Citrus
If you want to take your Christmas cake decorating skills to the next level, this Glazed & Decorated Christmas Cake is the perfect challenge. This beautiful and elegant cake is glazed with a shiny and smooth white chocolate ganache and decorated with festive designs, making it a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday table.
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Chai Toddy Christmas Cake
Main Ingredients: English Breakfast Tea, Rum, Mixed Dried Fruit, Orange
If you're a fan of chai tea, then this Chai Toddy Christmas Cake is a must-try for the holidays. Made with chai tea-infused cake, topped with a creamy chai frosting, and drizzled with a chai glaze, this cake is a warm and comforting treat that will fill your home with the delicious scents of Christmas.
Ingredients:
For the cake:
225g unsalted butter
375g dark muscovado sugar
200g dark chocolate, chopped
200ml hot strong coffee
150g plain flour
50g cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
175g ground almonds
For the icing:
250g dark chocolate, chopped
250ml double cream
1 tbsp golden syrup
Method:
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 150°C/130°C fan and line a 20cm round, deep cake tin with baking paper.
Step 2: Make the Cake
In a large saucepan, melt the butter, sugar, chocolate, and coffee together over low heat. Stir until everything is well combined and smooth.
In a separate bowl, sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and bicarbonate of soda together. In another bowl, beat the eggs and vanilla extract together. Slowly pour the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Then, fold in the dry ingredients and ground almonds until everything is well combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the tin for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Make the Icing
In a small saucepan, heat the cream until it starts to boil. Remove from heat and add in the chopped chocolate and golden syrup. Let it sit for a few minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
Once the cake is completely cooled, place it on a serving plate and pour the icing over the top. Use a spatula to spread the icing evenly and let it drip down the sides. Let the icing set for a few minutes before serving.
Final Thoughts
This chocolate Christmas cake is the perfect combination of rich and moist chocolate cake with a decadent chocolate icing. It's sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering and will leave everyone wanting more. Plus, with Nigella Lawson's easy-to-follow recipe, you'll have this delicious dessert ready to go in no time. So, go ahead and give it a try, your taste buds will thank you!
Now that you have the recipe, it's time to get baking and make this chocolate Christmas cake a staple in your holiday celebrations. Trust us, once you try it, you'll want to make it every year. Happy baking!