Step Aside, Cookies—These 55 Cakes Are What We Want To Be Baking This Winter
It's officially winter-coat-weather—and maybe even snowing—all across the country, so it is important to find new ways to stay warm. If you ask me, a slightly cracked oven door and fresh baked festive cakes are an effective and delicious way to keep the winter wonderland outside. So whether you're planning the dessert spread for your Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Hanukkah get-togethers (or simply just in need of a mid-week treat in February), these winter-friendly cake recipes will more than warm you up. As far as I'm concerned, one bite of our cranberry cake can instantly chase away any and all winter blues.
Winter brings snow days, ugly sweaters, but most importantly, cakes that I dream about the rest of the year. There's almost too many seasonal greats to count, like figgy pudding, fruitcake, bûche de noël (yule log cake), not to mention sticky toffee pudding and Battenberg cake. Try them all and you just might find yourself outshining everyone on Great British Baking Show this holiday season.
Here at Delish, we think it's no coincidence that the best citrus arrives in winter; the tart, zippy flavor of orange and lemon always carry us through 'til warmer temperatures creep back up. So why not add that bit of sunshine to your cakes? Our winter upgrade to a standard pineapple upside-down cake—our citrus upside-down cake—might just be your new year-round favorite. The same is absolutely true of our lemon meringue cheesecake, our cranberry mimosa breakfast cake, and our almost flourless chocolate-orange cake. They're instant day-brighteners and incredibly easy to whip up.
Get your hygge on all season long by cooking up all of our cozy winter recipes, including our favorite winter desserts, our top winter dinners, our best winter salads, and our fun winter cocktails.
Eggnog Poke Cake
When it comes to holiday desserts, poke cakes take the cake (no pun intended). We have plenty of variations on this dessert hack, but this eggnog version is a festive favorite come the holiday season. If you can't get enough of the creamy winter cocktail, then get ready to meet your new favorite dessert.
Get the Eggnog Poke Cake recipe.
Cannoli Icebox Cake
With the not-too-sweet creamy filling inside a crispy shell, cannoli are a nearly perfect dessert. Making your own is a fun little project but a little time consuming, and frying the shells can be intimidating. This easy cake is a great alternative. The filling is similar: sweetened ricotta and orange zest combine with whipped cream to make the cake even lighter.
Get the Cannoli Icebox Cake recipe.
Baklava Cheesecake
Baklava is already one of our not-too-sweet dessert faves, so turning it into a cheesecake felt like an obvious way to take things to the next level. To carry the nutty-honey of baklava flavor through the entire dessert, the creamy cheesecake center is blended with pistachio paste, honey, and orange zest, then topped with more nuts, and honey-butter brushed phyllo dough roses. Once it’s all baked and cooled, the whole thing is drizzled with honey syrup to create a sticky-sweet, creamy sensation.
Get the Baklava Cheesecake recipe.
Pull Apart Santa Cake
Holly jolly and extremely delicious, these pull-apart cupcakes are the holiday showstopper that you’ve been looking for. To make this recipe as simple as possible, I used boxed cake mix so that you can focus on the decoration. Feel free to let your creative juices flow on this recipe! Turns out these pull-apart cupcakes are just as easy to put together into one Santa cake.
Get the Pull Apart Santa Cake recipe.
Chocolate Bundt Cake
Calling all chocolate dessert lovers—this fudgy Bundt cake is really something special. We’re partial to covering it in a rich ganache and serving it after a nice dinner, but keep it plain and it can be the perfect indulgent Christmas brunch or midday pick-me-up.
Get the Chocolate Bundt Cake recipe.
Mini Black Forest Trifles
A black forest cake can feel like a big task to make, but these mini trifles break down the components into a very approachable dessert. These trifles can come together quickly as far as desserts go, which make them great for last-minute guests or when you’re the host and already have so many other dishes planned.
Get the Mini Black Forest Trifles recipe.
Gingerbread Cake
Want your kitchen to smell like Christmas? Make gingerbread cake! Enjoy it warm or cold, for breakfast or after dinner, plain or topped with whipped cream, from a plate with a fork or straight out of your hand. No judgment here.
Get the Gingerbread Cake recipe.
Opera Cake
Opera cake is one of those baking projects that will make you feel like a pastry chef superstar. Coffee-soaked almond cake, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache are layered together to create a French masterpiece that’s equally stunning to look at and enjoy.
Get the Opera Cake recipe.
Biscoff Tres Leches
This perfect holiday treat takes two holiday classics in crisp, caramelly Biscoff cookies and the iconic Mexican tres leches cake, and combines them into a new instant favorite. This cake is the perfect combo of caramel and cream and comes together for what just may be your new holiday tradition.
Get the Biscoff Tres Leches recipe.
Bûche de Noël (Yule Log Cake)
Bûche de Noël cakes are a French Christmas tradition dating back to the 19th century. Decorate it like a log, as is traditional, or try any other variety of frosting and topping combos—it's all about that gorgeous swirl, so anything else is a bonus.
Get the Bûche de Noël (Yule Log Cake) recipe.
Candy Cane Cake
Get ready to dazzle your holiday guests with this stunning candy cane cake. This show-stopping holiday dessert features eight layers of moist, flavorful cake in festive red and white stripes, reminiscent of a classic candy cane. Each bite is a delightful blend of vanilla and peppermint, creating a perfect harmony of holiday flavors.
Get the Candy Cane Cake recipe.
Citrus Upside-Down Cake
We used slices from navel, blood orange, Cara Cara oranges, grapefruit, and lemons, but really any of your favorite wintery citrus can be used for this stunner of an upside-down cake.
Get the Citrus Upside-Down Cake recipe.
Battenberg Cake
Want to feel like you’re on The Great British Bake Off? Make Battenberg cake. White- and pink-tinted slices of rich almond cake are brushed with apricot jam, artfully stacked, and covered with sweet almond marzipan for a cake that’s stunning and delicious enough to win the approval of Paul Hollywood any day of the week.
Get the Battenberg Cake recipe.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Traditionally a date-studded sponge cake topped with a rich toffee sauce, this is the perfect dessert for holiday meals or special occasions. It’s truly a dessert unlike any other and is best served still slightly warm out of the pan with extra toffee sauce drizzled on top.
Get the Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe.
Espresso Martini Icebox Cake
My espresso martini icebox cake has layers of chocolate graham crackers, coffee chocolate ganache, and espresso whipped cream stacked in a loaf pan and chilled until set and sliceable. The top is decorated with cocoa powder and chocolate-covered espresso beans for an added crunch and a hint about the flavors hiding inside.
Get the Espresso Martini Icebox Cake recipe.
Fruitcake
Fruitcake is an iconic holiday dessert, and most of the time, it isn't getting the love it deserves. This is the one you should take the risk on. Freshly baked, fruitcake is delicious and studded with dry fruit and pecans and warmly spiced—we love it with a glaze, but feel free to skip!
Get the Fruitcake recipe.
Red Velvet Cake
Everyone should have a good red velvet cake recipe in their back pocket—and this is it. It has a decadent chocolate flavor and the creamiest cream cheese frosting, and the striking red color makes it unforgettable (and perfect for the holidays!).
Get the Red Velvet Cake recipe.
Christmas Tree Cake
Nine layers of breathtaking beauty! This Christmas tree cake is perfect for when you really want to show off this holiday season. We recommend using a homemade cake recipe, like our chocolate or yellow cakes, but boxed cake mix will work too.
Get the Christmas Tree Cake recipe.
Mini No-Bake Gingerbread Icebox Cakes
A classic icebox cake is just layers of chocolate cookies and whipped cream chilled for a few hours into harmony. Yet there is magic in that combination as the cookies soften and the cream firms, becoming way more than the sum of its parts. For this recipe, everything is scaled down to create individually sized icebox cakes using thin gingersnaps full of warm spices, cool cream, and adorable charm.
Get the Mini No-Bake Gingerbread Icebox Cakes recipe.
Baked Alaska
Baked Alaska is the classic, nostalgic dessert that we’re bringing back. Basically a glorified ice cream cake, this towering dessert will be the talk of any dinner party you serve it at (especially when you cut into it for the very first time—be prepared for ooh’s and aah’s).
Get the Baked Alaska recipe.
Cranberry-Mimosa Breakfast Cake
Cranberries, oranges, and bubbly Prosecco incorporated into a tender cake? And for breakfast too? This is exactly what Christmas morning dreams are made of.
Get the Cranberry-Mimosa Breakfast Cake recipe.
Rum Pound Cake
The centerpiece of every holiday gathering in my lifetime has been my great aunt’s rum cake. Family members would sneak bites throughout the day, long before it was time for dessert. Her recipe was modeled after the classic Bacardi version with cake mix, instant pudding, and lots of rum. This pound cake takes all of the best parts of the OG and makes everything just a little more decadent.
Get the Rum Pound Cake recipe.
Grinchy Pull-Apart Cupcakes
One bite of these cupcakes, and even the grouchiest of Grinches will feel their heart growing three sizes. Just like our Santa pull-apart cake, all you need are boxed cake mix, homemade buttercream frosting, and food coloring to make this adorable Christmas treat.
Get the Grinchy Pull-Apart Cupcakes recipe.
Almost Flourless Chocolate-Orange Cake
In the list of great chocolate duos, chocolate and orange are pretty much a power couple. This almost flourless chocolate cake gets an added burst of orange flavor from both orange zest and orange liqueur and some candied orange peel that really puts it over the top.
Get the Almost Flourless Chocolate-Orange Cake recipe.
Tres Leches Cake
We use sweetened condensed, evaporated, and whole milk for this Latin American sponge cake. Some recipes use heavy cream in place of whole milk, but we feel the mixture is already so decadent and that milk helps balance it. Plus, we use heavy cream for the topping so it still makes it way in there. 😉
Get the Tres Leches Cake recipe.
Tiramisu Cake
It’s hard not to love a creamy, light slice of tiramisu, but we especially love it in cake form. Whether you’re looking for a slightly more approachable take on the Italian classic, or are just a fanatic looking for a clever twist, this recipe is perfect.
Get the Tiramisu Cake recipe.
Santa’s List-Cakes
If you love the thrill of uncovering surprises and the festive spirit of the holidays, then these Santa’s list-cakes are just what you need. Inspired by the excitement of discovering whether you made the naughty or nice list, each cupcake is filled with a hidden surprise of either joyful colored sprinkles or mischievous black sugar sprinkles.
Get the Santa’s List-Cakes recipe.
Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites
Need a last-minute dessert that requires very little planning, but will be a showstopper on your holiday table? Stop here. We're obsessed with this holiday treat for two reasons: 1) It’s ridiculously cute and 2) ridiculously simple. All you need are 3 ingredients—store-bought cheesecake, whipped cream, and strawberries—and 10 minutes to create this adorable holiday dessert.
Get the Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites recipe.
Marshmallow Cake
Classic buttercream is great and all, but have you ever had Italian meringue? The not-too-sweet frosting pairs well with the rich chocolate cake and looks great swirled or toasted on the outside. Pipe it on to make pretty swirls and rosettes, or use a kitchen torch for a s'mores vibe.
Get the Marshmallow Cake recipe.
Snowman Cupcakes
Baby, it’s cold outside! We can’t think of a better way to welcome the first snow of the season than with these adorable snowman cupcakes. Marshmallow snowmen sit atop sweet, frosted coconut cupcakes to create a dessert guaranteed to put you in a festive mood.
Get the Snowman Cupcakes recipe.
Chocoflan
Chocoflan’s beautiful contrasting layers of chocolate cake and flan are totally mind-blowing. During the bake, the batters switch places. The end result is a distinctly layered dessert with moist chocolate cake as the foundation, a creamy set flan on top, and a caramel drizzle to crown it all.
Get the Chocoflan recipe.
Igloo Cake
We turned two store-bought cake mixes, one 8" cake pan, one 8" heatproof bowl, marshmallows, and one cake donut to create this joyful igloo cake. Check out our video for tips, then use this recipe to spark your baking imagination.
Get the Igloo Cake recipe.
Butter Pecan Cheesecake
Toasty, buttery pecans turn a classic cheesecake into an even more decadent and rich dessert. It’s perfect as is, but topped off with whipped cream and even more pecans makes it the best slice of cheesecake you'll ever try.
Get the Butter Pecan Cheesecake recipe.
Skillet Texas Sheet Cake
For a traditional Texas sheet cake, the batter and the icing are prepared separately on the stovetop. Using a skillet eliminates a dish and makes things way more fun. Especially when everyone digs in while it's still warm... with tons of ice cream on top.
Get the Skillet Texas Sheet Cake recipe.
Santa Hat Cupcakes
Bake off your favorite cupcakes, pipe a tall swirling mound of red frosting on top, then add a little white around the edges and top. You'll have the cutest Christmas treat in no time, and everyone will be obsessed.
Get the Santa Hat Cupcakes recipe.
Cranberry Cake
This cranberry pound cake is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. The cranberries burst and release all of their juices while baking, making each bite extra exciting. The sugar topping adds a subtle crunch too, and the sour cream keeps this cake moist for days.
Get the Cranberry Cake recipe.
Classic Coffee Cake
Need an easy breakfast to serve guests? Craving a sweet afternoon pick-me-up? Looking for a simple, less decadent dessert? Coffee cake is always the answer.
Get the Classic Coffee Cake recipe.
White Chocolate Cake
A classic chocolate cake is always a good idea, but if you want to switch things up a bit, give this white chocolate cake a try. It's soft and layered with a white chocolate mousse and then frosted with a simple cream cheese frosting.
Get the White Chocolate Cake recipe.
Peppermint Bark Cheesecake
It doesn’t get more festive than everyone’s favorite holiday menu special from The Cheesecake Factory. Peppermint bark meets cheesecake in this minty, chocolate-y epic dessert. Studded with chopped chocolate and candy canes, it tastes just like the real thing.
Get the Peppermint Bark Cheesecake recipe.
Gluten-Free Christmas Pudding
Christmas pudding might not be the dessert you make every year, but we are here to suggest you start! Full of dried fruit and nuts and topped with a brandy sauce, what's not to love?
Get the Gluten-Free Christmas Pudding recipe.
Millionaire's Cheesecake
Also known as a caramel slice or caramel shortbread, millionaire shortbread consists of three layers: buttery shortbread, rich and chewy caramel, and a thick coating of chocolate. To make an even more luxurious and indulgent dessert fit for a millionaire, we added a fourth layer in the form of cheesecake.
Get the Millionaire's Cheesecake recipe.
Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake
Love cinnamon rolls? Us too! While we’ve got a couple different hacks and recipes to get our fix (cinnamon roll cookies, anyone?), this is by far the most impressive. We took the decadent breakfast treat and turned it into a cinnamon sugar-filled cheesecake that’s sure to elicit wows.
Get the Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake recipe.
Lemon Meringue Cheesecake
If you’re looking for a showstopping, mouthwatering dessert to impress dinner guests, look no further than this lemon meringue cheesecake recipe. The layers of graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake, bright yellow lemon curd, and a big swoop of toasted meringue will get everyone in a frenzy even before their first bite.
Get the Lemon Meringue Cheesecake recipe.
Pistachio Cake
Ground pistachios are added in with the flour to create a subtly green-hued cake with a nutty flavor and texture. There's a hint of cardamom in there to add intrigue, as well. The cake then gets a thin layer of cream cheese frosting for a tangy addition that perfectly ties it all together.
Get the Pistachio Cake recipe.
Figgy Pudding
Contrary to the name, Figgy Pudding isn't pudding (at least not by America's definition). "Pudding" in this case refers to the British style of a steamed cake-like dessert that will perfume your entire house as it bakes, thanks to its dreamy combination of spices.
Get the Figgy Pudding recipe.
Swiss Roll
Swiss roll is the chocolate cake you should be making for every winter occasion. This rich cocoa cake roll is filled with fluffy whipped cream and covered with chocolate ganache for a dessert that is light and creamy and intensely satisfying all at the same time.
Get the Swiss Roll recipe.
Hostess Sheet Cake
If you can't get enough of the fudgy, cream-filled cupcakes, then this sheet cake will be your new favorite dessert. Taking inspiration from the classic Hostess dessert, this sheet cake delivers on all the same flavors in an easy, shareable form.
Get the Hostess Sheet Cake recipe.
Milk N' Cookies Icebox Cake
Want to turn milk and cookies into a dessert you can serve a crowd?This no-bake show-stopper is for you—did we mention it only has 4 ingredients?
Get the Milk N' Cookies Icebox Cake recipe.
Gingersnap Apple Icebox Cake
For a winter version of our favorite icebox cake, we use crunchy gingersnap cookies to hold layers of caramel whipped cream and cinnamon apples together. The tart sweetness of the apples really shine against the rich whipped cream. My favorite part, though, is the spice of the gingersnaps with the sweetness of the rest of the cake.
Get the Gingersnap Apple Icebox Cake recipe.
Rum Crumb Cake
Coffee cake meets rum cake in this decadent homemade crumb cake. Dark rum goes into both the cake and the glaze for a warm, complex flavor that goes beyond your classic coffee cake. The result is a rich and tender cake with a perfectly crunchy topping, made to be served for weekend brunch, on Christmas morning with coffee, or after dinner with a hot toddy.
Get the Rum Crumb Cake recipe.
Easy Sponge Cake
If you’re looking for a simple celebration cake, one that’s perfect for everything from birthdays to holidays, look no further than this light and fluffy sponge cake. The best part? You can have this entire cake ready in just about an hour.
Get the Easy Sponge Cake recipe.
Chocolate Cheesecake
Have you ever wondered what a gooey chocolate brownie paired with cheesecake would taste like? Look no further! This chocolate cheesecake recipe is a chocolate lover’s dream. It’s rich, silky smooth, moist, and almost fudge-like—everything you want in a chocolate dessert.
Get the Chocolate Cheesecake recipe.
Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake
Gooey, puffy, spiced sugar-filled cinnamon rolls are truly what dreams are made of, but we can’t always get it together to make them from scratch. This poke cake helps you skip all the finicky rolling and proofing, but still get everything you love (including the cream cheese frosting!).
Get the Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake recipe.
Espresso Martini Cheesecake
Espresso martini connoisseurs, this cheesecake is for you. The cheesecake filling is spiked with coffee liqueur and espresso to make it super-rich and creamy, and the top gets the iconic dusting of cocoa powder over an espresso-infused whipped cream. Don’t worry, we’d never leave out the espresso beans either.
Get the Espresso Martini Cheesecake recipe.
Rum Cake
Popular in the Caribbean, rum cake is a vanilla Bundt cake that has rum in the batter. Traditionally, dried fruit is soaked in rum for months and then added to the cake batter too, but we have a more accessible (and quicker!) homemade version.
Get the Rum Cake recipe.
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