72 holiday cake recipes

Eggnog cookies with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a splash of holiday eggnog. Soft, cake-like Christmas cookies with the spiced flavor of your favorite seasonal drink.

Sour cream coffee cake with a cinnamon-pecan ribbon and a chocolate glaze swirled through the middle. A holiday brunch standout with tender crumb and fudgy chocolate veins.

Soft, cake-style pumpkin spice cookies built on egg whites and pumpkin puree with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, baked tender for a lighter holiday cookie tin.

Chocolate nut torte: a four-layer sponge cake filled with silky cooked chocolate-buttercream frosting and topped with chopped nuts. An old-world holiday torte for special occasions.

Chocolate eggnog bundt cake made with pudding mix for extra moisture, warm nutmeg, and a creamy eggnog buttercream frosting. A holiday dessert that puts leftover eggnog to good use.

Victorian jewels mini fruitcakes: brandy-soaked candied fruit, raisins, and walnuts baked into tender two-bite cakes. A glossy jelly glaze gives each one its jewel-box shine. Holiday gifting star.

Mother's fruit cake is a brandy-soaked holiday classic with cherries, apricots, pineapple, peel, raisins, and currants bound in a spiced chocolate-scented batter. Baked slow and aged for two months.

Chocolate and chestnut layer cake with a tender olive oil and white wine sponge, a smooth sweetened chestnut cream filling, and glossy dark chocolate ganache. An elegant autumn and holiday dessert.

Buttery rolled sugar cookies with lemon zest and vanilla, made with cake flour for a melt-in-your-mouth tender crumb. A classic cut-out cookie recipe that's ideal for decorating and holiday baking.

Mocha spice roll cake is a warmly spiced sponge rolled around billowy coffee-cocoa whipped cream, then frosted and fork-scored to look like a bark log. A holiday-ready bûche de Noël with cinnamon, clove, and allspice woven through.

Streamlined pecan pie with just 6 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep. This minimalist version skips fussy steps but delivers classic gooey filling and crunchy pecans for stress-free holiday baking.

Granny's Thumbprint Cookies are a classic, melt-in-your-mouth treat with a nutty coating and a vibrant jelly center. These cookies are simple to prepare, making them ideal for holiday baking, tea parties, or a cozy family dessert. The combination of tender cookie dough and sweet jelly creates a delightful balance of textures and flavors.

Homemade Danish pastry wreath with layers of buttery laminated dough, almond filling, and candied cherries. A holiday baking project that rewards patience with flaky, golden results.

Homemade apricot-raisin jam with lemon and orange juice creates a thick, spreadable preserve perfect for gift-giving and holiday baking.

Spice and nut thumbprint cookies with ground pecans, cinnamon, and jam filling. Buttery shortbread-style cookies with a fruity center, perfect for holiday baking.

Linzertorte fingers with a buttery ground almond pastry layered with raspberry jam and topped with sliced almonds. An Austrian-inspired bar cookie for elegant holiday baking.