15 Classic Christmas Cakes

on December 22, 2011

Elsie's Gingerbread

This streusel-topped version, light on molasses and heavy on spice, has a moist, almost coffeecake-like texture. The streusel melts into the cake and provides a yummy appearance. Get the Recipe

Prune Cake

Convert the prune scoffers in your family with this moist, rich cake featuring dried plums. It's perfect for Christmas or any family gathering. Get the Recipe

German Chocolate Cake from Magpies Bakery

German Chocolate Cake, one of the most popular of Southern cakes, is essentially a light buttermilk chocolate cake iced with a coconut and pecan cooked custard. Despite its name, German Chocolate Cake did not originate in Germany, but in Texas. While the recipe itself dates back to at least the 1920s, the name comes from the chocolate called for in the recipe popularized in the 1950s by the Baker's Chocolate Company: German's Sweet Chocolate. Get the Recipe

Miss Grace's Carrot Cake

Family gatherings are a great time to bring out old family recipes. It seems that every clan has a favorite cake recipe that gets passed on to the next generation of bakers. Miss Grace's Carrot Cake is such a recipe. Her granddaughter submitted the recipe in honor of her grandmother who recently passed away. " We all love it, and will continue her baking tradition," she says. Get the Recipe

Tiramisu Torte

A store-bough cake mix and Heath candy bars give you a jump-start to this rich cake coffee-flavored filled with cream cheese icing. Get the Recipe

Old-Fashioned Jam Cake

A blackberry and raspberry jam cake, topped with caramel pecan icing We gather at my granddaughter's house each Thanksgiving and Christmas to keep our family traditions going strong. One of my family's favorites is my Jam Cake. Get the Recipe

Halekulani Hotel Coconut Cake

This fabulous cake came to us from the majestic Halekulani Hotel on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii, where it has been the hotel's signature cake for years. It's light sponge cake is cut into three layers, then pasted together with pastry cream. Don't worry if your layers aren't perfect; once it's put together, you'll never know. The taste is all you'll care about. Get the Recipe

Lemon Ginger Almond Upside-Down Cake

Thinly sliced lemons turn into a caramelized topping in this intriguing, lemony alternative to pineapple upside-down cake. Get the Recipe

Olive-Oil Orange Cake with Poached Figs

This delicious orange cake topped with fig-infused syrup is a perfect ending for your Hanukkah meal. Get the Recipe

Red Velvet Cake

As beautiful as it is delicious, this classic cake is a dessert worthy of special occasions. Get the Recipe

Cappuccino Chocolate Layer Cake with Mocha Frosting

Coffee naturally enhances the flavor of chocolate, and this recipe packs a one-two punch-instant espresso powder cranks up both the batter and the frosting. Get the Recipe

Peppermint Layer Cake with White Chocolate Frosting

The flavor of Christmas candy canes makes this snowy white cake as delicious to eat as it is pretty to look at. Get the Recipe

White Chocolate Layer Cake with Cranberry Filling and Orange Frosting

White Chocolate Layer Cake with Cranberry Filling and Orange Frosting This cake hits the holiday flavor trifecta with white chocolate, cranberries and orange. After several tries with canned cranberry sauce, we discovered Trappist brand cranberry conserve. It makes a quick-and-easy filling for the cake and is perfect with the orange frosting. Get the Recipe

Eggnog Spice Bundt Cake

The quintessential holiday Bundt for serving with hot coffee on the morning after the big repast. You can also prepare this recipe in a large loaf pan for a delicious Eggnog Spice bread. Get the Recipe