Christmas Cake
A festive masterpiece that combines spices and a rich buttery taste, perfect for holiday celebrations and gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2.5 cups 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 2.5 teaspoons 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 0.5 teaspoon ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1.5 cups 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 4 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
For the Frosting
- 2 cups 2 cups (450g) unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups 6 cups (750g) powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 2-3 tablespoons 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
For Decoration
- Red sugar pearls (for berries)
- Edible gold glitter or sprinkles
- Green fondant or gum paste (for holly leaves)
- Powdered sugar (for snow dusting)
- Meringue cookies or piped frosting swirls
Instructions
Prepare the Cake Batter
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
Bake the Cake
- Divide the batter evenly between the two pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Frosting
- Beat the butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low.
- Add vanilla extract and heavy cream, then beat on high for 2-3 minutes until fluffy.
Frost the Cake
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting on top.
- Add the second layer and apply a crumb coat (thin frosting layer). Chill for 30 minutes.
- Frost the entire cake with a smooth layer, adding textured swirls or patterns.
Decorate
- Use fondant to make holly leaves, adding red sugar pearls as berries.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar for a snowy effect and add gold glitter for sparkle.
Notes
Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature for a better batter mix. Don’t skip the crumb coat; it helps to create a smooth final layer of frosting. Feel free to personalize the decorations with your favorite edible items.