353 holiday cake recipes

Holiday mint log is a light chocolate sponge cake rolled into a classic yule log shape. Separated eggs keep the cake airy enough to roll without cracking, baked in just 12-15 minutes.

Friendship cake starter made with pineapple, cherries, and peaches layered with sugar and brandy over six weeks. A fermented fruit base for holiday fruitcakes.

Swedish spice cake (Mjuk Pepparkaka) with cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamom, studded with raisins and nuts. A soft, aromatic Scandinavian holiday classic.

Layered chocolate torte with a dried sour cherry and Marsala filling, coffee-soaked cake layers, and a cream cheese whipped cream. A multi-component holiday showpiece that tastes like Black Forest cake's sophisticated Italian cousin.

Mexican wedding cakes are always a holiday favorite but this recipe takes it up a notch or two, writes Mary Wilhelm of Sparta.

A light sponge cake rolled with whipped cream, applesauce, and walnuts for an elegant holiday dessert that looks impressive but comes together quickly.

Mini crab cakes baked in muffin tins with a panko-parmesan crust and creamy cream cheese filling. Lemon-orange-scented appetizer bites for cocktail parties, showers, and holiday gatherings.

Mince-meat cookies made with a tender cake flour dough rolled thin, filled with cooked mincemeat, and sandwiched together. A vintage holiday filled cookie that makes 36.

Lightened cranberry cake with whole berries on the bottom and a tender egg-white batter on top. A jewel-toned holiday dessert with naturally sweet-tart bite.

Yeasted coffee cake ring filled with apricot preserves, dried fruit, and pecans, flavored with cardamom and apple juice concentrate. A Scandinavian-style holiday bread.

Dense, jewel-toned fruit cake packed with whole dates, walnuts, and candied cherries held together by just enough batter. A showstopper for holiday giving.

Spiced brown sugar bundt cake with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves, baked with chopped pecans and finished with a butterscotch glaze. Holiday-table ready.

Patty Ann's cheese cake tarts: bite-size cream cheese pastry shells with two fillings, pecan and coconut. Muffin-tin desserts for holiday cookie trays.

Russian tea cakes with a buttery shortbread base, a thumbprint of jam or chopped walnuts, and a snowfall of powdered sugar. Holiday cookie tin classic.

Fresh gingerbread cake paired with whole pears poached in ruby port with ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla. Served with ginger-scented whipped cream for an elegant holiday dessert plate.

Sweet potato pancakes with creamy mushroom ragout pair crispy panko-crusted sweet potato cakes with a sage-and-shallot wild mushroom cream sauce. An elegant vegetarian appetizer or holiday side.