A classic Christmas cake tied with a gold ribbon against a festive backdrop

21 Christmas cake recipes

Emily Marten

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We've got all the Christmas cake recipes you need, from the classic fruitcake or a modern twist, to Italian, Caribbean and Mexican versions – plus vegan and gluten-free options

A classic Christmas cake is the cherry on top of your festive celebrations. Typically a fruitcake topped with a layer of marzipan and fondant icing, it adds a touch of tradition to afternoon teas, get-togethers and parties throughout the holiday season. Served with a warming hot drink or Christmas cocktails it's sure to get you and your guests firmly in the festive mood.

Not everyone is a fan of the rich, spiced fruitcake however, so we've included modern twists such as our coconut and white chocolate cake, as well as the traditional yule log, and Italian, Caribbean and Mexican Christmas cakes – plus gluten-free and vegan options to keep everyone happy. For more plant-based seasonal inspiration try our vegan Christmas desserts and if you're coeliac or gluten-intolerant check out our gluten-free Christmas recipes.

Try more of our best Christmas recipes, including Christmas baking recipes such as Christmas biscuits, Christmas market recipes and Christmas desserts. Next, discover our best Christmas cake decoration ideas.

Christmas cake recipes

Classic Christmas cake

Get ahead with your festive baking and rustle up our gently spiced fruitcake, covered in marzipan and fondant icing. This classic Christmas cake serves 12.

A fruit cake covered in white icing with a slice taken out of it

Gluten-free Christmas cake

This gluten-free Christmas cake uses ground almonds instead of flour for texture. It's also been soaked in brandy for added flavour, moisture and decadence.

An iced Christmas cake with one slice taken out of it

Rum and almond fruitcake

Want an easy fruitcake with no fuss? Impress your guests this Christmas and jazz up your cake with rum and a simple almond buttercream. Make it now or save the recipe for when you need to whip up a quick last-minute Christmas cake.

Christmas Cake Recipe with Almond Buttercream

Bûche de Noël

Serve this bûche de Noël for a Christmas dessert showpiece. This festive log features layers of chocolate sponge, Chantilly cream and chocolate buttercream.

A bûche de noël on a golden serving platter decorated with holly

White velvet snowball cake

Impress your friends and family this Christmas and make our standout snowball cake. It might not be snowing outside, but one bite of this cake and you'll feel like you're in a winter wonderland. Filled with coconut and covered in white chocolate, it's sweet and indulgent, making it the perfect Christmas Day centrepiece.

Italian Christmas cake

This chocolate and hazelnut cake (called torta alla nocciola in Italian) celebrates a classic combination and is deliciously indulgent. It makes for a great dinner party dessert or festive bake.

Chocolate cake topped with chopped hazelnuts

Vegan Christmas cake

Everyone will enjoy a slice of this dairy-free and egg-free Christmas cake, which can be baked and matured up to eight weeks before Christmas. Feed the cake weekly with your choice of brandy, rum or whisky for extra moisture and a warming flavour

Rum and raisin cake

Fill your kitchen with festive smells, and take your time to make a wish as you stir up a make-ahead Christmas cake with a spiced, boozy twist.

A dark brown fruit cake with a slice taken out of it

White Christmas cake

This is a very light vanilla cake, and one that we love to serve on Christmas Day in place of a normal fruitcake. In order to keep the colour as white as possible, use a very light-coloured butter such as Lurpak.

white Christmas cake

Caribbean rum cake

This decadent and boozy cake from Caribbean chef Keshia Sakarah is fed with spiced rum and traditionally served during the festive season.

Gold jug pouring rum onto a CAribbean rum cake on a crystal cake stand

Mexican chocoflan

This festive flan cake, featuring chocolate, caramel and cinnamon, combines two popular Mexican desserts and is known in Mexico as 'flan imposible'.

Mexican Chocoflan Recipe on a platte with a gold serving knife

Spiced brandy butter cake

This spectacular cake, full of spice and winter flavours of orange and brandy is a great alternative for those who don’t like a traditional Christmas cake.

A triple layer cake decorated with a buttercream frosting and topped with candied oranges

Caribbean black cake

This is a speedy version of the classic Caribbean treat, which is a popular dessert at Christmas. Featuring port, dark rum and dried fruit, it's rich and decadent – and just the thing for the festive season.

Black cake on a black plate and black surface with a slice removed

Cranberry cake

Tangy bursts of cranberry, crunchy pistachios, fluffy citrus sponge and smooth, sweet icing make this cake a flavour sensation.

An iced loaf cake with one slice taken out of it

Gluten-free chocolate fudge cake

This impressive woodland-inspired cake, coated in ganache and chocolate buttercream, comes from artisan chocolate maker The Little House Dorset, and makes a great centrepiece for a Christmas party.

A woodland chocolate fudge cake on a gold cake stand with a green background

Chocolate yule log

Need a showstopping dessert recipe to impress guests over the Christmas period? Check out our indulgent festive yule log with a boozy Baileys cream and crunchy hazelnut brittle.

Chocolate yule log on a slate

Baileys cake

A real showstopper of a cake, this three-tiered beauty is all dark chocolate and Baileys Irish Cream. It's perfect for an impressive Christmas dessert.

Rum and raisin bundt cake

Rum and raisin is a classic flavour combo – try this bundt cake warm for pudding, dolloped with sweetened whipped cream.

Rum and Raisin Cake Bundt Recipe

Mulled wine hazelnut loaf cake

This rich, festive loaf cake from Bristol bakery Ahh Toots makes the perfect partner for a Christmas cuppa. It's delicious on its own or served with cream.

Mulled wine and roast hazelnut loaf cake

After Eight cake

This After Eight bundt cake is a glorious combination of chocolate and mint and makes an excellent dessert for a festive party.

Chocolate After Eight Cake Recipe

Mulled apple bundt cake

Edd Kimber's festive bake gets its apple flavour from multiple sources: apple purée, chunks of spiced apple and an apple caramel sauce made from reduced apple juice.

A beautiful bundt cake topped with caramel sauce and golden apple slices

Authors

Emily Marten headshot

Emily MartenDigital Content Producer

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