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45 Easy Christmas Cake Recipes For Your Holiday Dessert Table

Enjoy a slice (or three) of these amazing holiday cake recipes.

Con Poulos

For many people, the anticipation that comes with Christmas can't be beat — and that includes the anticipation that comes with looking forward to Christmas dinner. Though the holiday season can be hectic and stressful, knowing that the month of December will end with a dinner table full of Christmas recipes that have been passed down for generations makes everything worth it. Even the newer, more creative Christmas recipes can be exciting. Of course, the main meaning behind Christmas isn't the festive Christmas appetizers on the menu or the holiday cocktails that will be consumed as Elf plays in the background — but they certainly don't hurt.

Though the dessert portion of Christmas dinner may traditionally be cookies (gingerbread, anyone?), it's worth exploring how you can add a delicious and festive Christmas cake to the mix, too. Cakes just feel worthy of a special occasion, and what could be more special than Christmas? The best part of baking a cake for everyone to enjoy is not only that it feels like a treat, but also that you don't have to lean too heavily on Christmas-y flavors like peppermint and cocoa if you don't want to. Most traditional cake recipes can be made festive with some colorful toppings of red and green fruit, or some colorful icing. Here are 45 Christmas cake recipes to spark your creativity.

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Apple Spice Cake

This cake would make a delicious, sweet alternative to a coffee cake or an apple crumble. Pair it with a steaming cup of coffee in the morning or add a scoop of ice cream or homemade whipped cream after dinner.

Get the Apple Spice Cake recipe.

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Rich Chocolate Cake

There's nothing more universally beloved that a delicious, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake. This cake will bit a hit at any Christmas event you have planned this holiday season.

Get the Rich Chocolate Cake recipe.

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Cannoli Cake

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.

Get the Cannoli Cake recipe.

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Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake

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.

Get the Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake recipe.

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Strawberry Rhubarb Layer Cake

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Abominable Snowman Cake

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).

Get the Abominable Snowman Cake recipe.

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Choco-Berry Surprise Cake

This cake has the bright red hues of the Christmas season, making it a beautiful cake to look at. Plus, the decadent chocolate details add a big punch of rich flavor.

Get the Choco-Berry Surprise Cake recipe.

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Oatmeal-Brownie Bundt Cake

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.

Get the Oatmeal-Brownie Bundt Cake recipe.

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Mini Lemon-Blueberry Bundt Cakes

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Chocloate-Speckled Angel Cake

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.

Get the Chocolate-Speckled Angel Cake recipe.

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Olive Oil-Clementine Cake

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.

Get the Olive Oil-Clementine Cake recipe.

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Microwave Mug Chocolate Cake

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Santa Cake

If you happen to have leftovers of this festive cake (tough chance!), make sure to leave a slice for Santa himself.

Get the Santa Cake recipe.

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Double White Chocolate Cake

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Chocolate Meringue Layer Cake

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Sticky Cranberry-Toffee Date Cake

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Amaretto Apricot Cake

A touch of amaretto complements sweet apricots in this moist holiday cake. As an added bonus, the cake can be made ahead of time and glazed just before serving.

Get the Amaretto Apricot Cake recipe.

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Tree-Mendous Gingerbread

A sprinkle of powdered sugar on top of this tree-lined cake is the secret to turning a standard chocolate treat into something magical.

Get the recipe at Good Housekeeping.

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Candy Cane Forest Cake

Put the candy canes your kids got at school to good work and use them to decorate your Christmas night dessert.

Get the recipe at Country Living.

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Death By Chocolate Poke Cake

Serious chocoholics only are allowed to indulge in this triple chocolate dream of a cake. It consists of chocolate cake, chocolate fudge filling, and chocolate buttermilk. Yum!

Get the recipe at Delish.

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Stained Glass Cake

Jolly Rancher shards transform this cake into a delicious mosaic.

Get the recipe at Country Living .

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Vegan Cheesecake

Finding a tried and true vegan dessert can be a challenge, but it's important to make sure all of your guests feel included in the celebration, regardless of their dietary restrictions. This vegan cheesecake relies on soaked cashews to make sure it's super smooth.

Get the recipe at Delish.

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Sour Cream Pound Cake

This super easy-to-make pound cake only requires 10 minutes of prep work before you pop it in the oven. It tastes amazing fresh, and will be the perfect treat to go with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for days after Christmas.

Get the recipe at Delish.

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Salted Caramel Pound Cake

This pound cake doesn't just have a decadent caramel drizzle on top, it also has a baked-in caramel swirl inside. Rest assured, the caramel lovers will rejoice.

Get the recipe at Delish.

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Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake

Maybe it's the bright red and white colors that make red velvet feel so Christmasy, or maybe it's the buttercream frosting that feels highly Santa-approved. But whatever it is, this red velvet cake adds a delightfully creamy layer of cheesecake to make it even more wintery and wonderful.

Get the recipe at Delish.

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Peach Dump Cake

Sure, peaches might make you feel like your most summery self, but enjoying a warm peach cake in the middle of the winter goes perfectly with sitting by the fire and listening to carols.

Get the recipe at Delish.

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German Apple Cake

This German-inspired treat is chock full of apples and will taste like your favorite childhood memories of visiting the local cider mill. Sprinkle with powdered sugar for an extra dash of wintertime whimsy.

Get the recipe at Delish.

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Cookie Dough Pound Cake

Christmas cookies are classic, but what happens when your love of Christmas cookies combines with the need for a post-Christmas feast cake? The cookie dough pound cake is born.

Get the recipe at Delish.

Kelsey Hurwitz Assistant Digital Editor Kelsey Hurwitz is the assistant editor of WomansDay.com, and covers entertainment, holidays, pets, and good news.

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