Dazzling Christmas Wreath Cake Recipe: A Festive Holiday Showstopper

Crafting a magical christmas wreath cake brings pure holiday cheer right into your kitchen.

Delicate frosting swirls transform a simple dessert into an elegant centerpiece.

Delightful green and red decorations capture the season’s spirit with charming sophistication.

Bakers of all skill levels can create this stunning treat without stress.

Soft layers of tender cake peek through intricate piped designs that sparkle like winter’s first snowfall.

Festive details make this dessert more than just a sweet, it becomes a conversation starter at any gathering.

You’ll wow everyone with this magnificent edible artwork that celebrates christmas traditions deliciously.

How to Keep Christmas Wreath Cake Fresh for Days

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover with plastic wrap or place in a sealed cake carrier to prevent drying out.
• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Keep the cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon. Place under a cake dome or cover with a clean kitchen towel to maintain moisture.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, place the entire cake in a preheated 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes to restore freshness and bring out the glaze's shine.

Christmas Wreath Cake Serving Ideas

• Festive Wine Pairing: Select a sweet Riesling or Moscato d'Asti with delicate fruit notes that complement the cake's vanilla and subtle herbal rosemary flavors.
• Holiday Beverage Match: Enjoy a warm spiced mulled wine or hot apple cider, which echoes the seasonal ingredients and provides a cozy counterpoint to the cake's sweetness.
• Complementary Side Treat: Serve with a small scoop of cinnamon or vanilla bean ice cream to enhance the cake's richness and add a creamy texture contrast.
• Flavor Harmony Suggestion: Add a small plate of candied orange peel or spiced nuts beside the cake to create a complex taste experience that highlights the dessert's festive elements.

Christmas Wreath Cake Celebration Combos

• Gluten-Free Christmas Wreath Cake: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with celiac disease or wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Holiday Wreath Cake: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and sour cream with dairy-free yogurt to create a plant-based version that's equally festive and delicious.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Cake: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the glaze to make a diabetic-friendly dessert that maintains the holiday spirit.
• Nut-Free Festive Cake: Omit any potential nut ingredients and ensure all components are processed in a nut-free environment, making it safe for those with nut allergies while preserving the cake's original charm.

FAQs

• Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cake 1-2 days in advance. Keep it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature, and add the glaze and decorations just before serving.

• Is it okay to substitute ingredients in this recipe?

Absolutely! You can replace sour cream with Greek yogurt or buttermilk. If you don’t have vanilla extract, almond extract works well too. Just keep the measurements the same.

• What type of bundt pan works best for this recipe?

Use a non-stick bundt pan with a detailed design for the most attractive wreath shape. If you don’t have a bundt pan, a round cake pan will work perfectly fine.

• How do I ensure my cake turns out moist?

The key is to not overmix the batter and to measure ingredients precisely. Also, don’t overbake – check the cake at the minimum recommended baking time and remove it from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out clean.

Cake That Looks Like a Wreath and Shines on the Holiday Table

• Create a Festive Masterpiece: Transform an ordinary cake into a stunning holiday centerpiece that wows your guests.
• Effortless Elegance: Whip up this impressive dessert with basic baking skills, making it perfect for home bakers of all levels.
• Family-Friendly Baking Adventure: Gather loved ones to help decorate the cake, turning preparation into a joyful holiday memory.
• Versatile Holiday Delight: Ideal for Christmas gatherings, potlucks, or as a special treat that brings warmth and cheer to any celebration.

Christmas Wreath Cake Ingredient Breakdown

• All-Purpose Flour: Classic baking staple for tender cake structure.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden cake color.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and smooth texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and subtle tanginess.

• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies other flavors.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet white glaze.
• Milk: Thins glaze to perfect drizzling consistency.
• Rosemary Sprigs: Adds festive green holiday garnish.
• Fresh Cranberries: Provides bright red Christmas accent.

Baking a Christmas Wreath Cake That’s a Holiday Showpiece

Step 1: Prepare Cake Batter

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

In another large bowl, whip butter and sugar until fluffy and pale. Gently incorporate eggs one by one, stirring after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract. Slowly fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, alternating with sour cream. Mix until ingredients are just blended.

Step 2: Bake The Cake

Transfer batter into prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly. Slide pan into preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into center – it should come out clean. Allow cake to rest in pan for 10 minutes, then move to cooling rack.

Step 3: Whip Up Glaze

Blend powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl until silky smooth. Adjust liquid to reach desired drizzling consistency.

Step 4: Design Festive Wreath Decoration

Once cake has completely cooled, drizzle glaze across top, allowing delicate streams to cascade down sides. Artfully arrange fresh rosemary sprigs and bright red cranberries to mimic a classic wreath design. Dust lightly with powdered sugar for a magical winter touch.

Wreath Cake Tips That Turn Christmas into a Showstopper

• Perfectly Mix Ingredients: Cream butter and sugar thoroughly until light and fluffy to ensure a smooth, even cake texture that melts in your mouth.
• Avoid Overmixing Batter: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined, preventing a tough, dense cake that loses its delicate crumb.
• Control Baking Time: Check cake doneness early with a toothpick test, as oven temperatures vary; remove immediately when it comes out clean to prevent drying.
• Create Stunning Decoration: Use fresh rosemary and cranberries strategically to mimic a traditional wreath design, adding festive color and natural elegance.
• Glaze with Precision: Adjust milk quantity in glaze carefully to achieve the perfect drizzling consistency that looks beautiful and doesn't pool excessively.

Christmas Wreath Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas Wreath Cake brings holiday cheer with its elegant design and delightful flavors. Guests will marvel at this centerpiece that combines seasonal charm and delicious bakery artistry.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups (250 g) sugar
• 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Assemble dry ingredients by sifting flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium mixing vessel, ensuring even distribution and eliminating potential lumps.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, transform butter and sugar into a creamy, aerated mixture using an electric mixer, beating until the texture becomes pale and voluminous.
3. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, thoroughly blending after each addition to maintain a smooth, cohesive batter. Introduce vanilla extract for enhanced flavor complexity.
4. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with sour cream, beginning and concluding with the flour combination. Mix delicately to prevent overworking the batter.
5. Transfer the velvety batter into a prepared bundt or round cake pan, carefully smoothing the surface to ensure even distribution and an aesthetically pleasing final presentation.
6. Position the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C), allowing the cake to bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the center.
7. Allow the freshly baked cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then gracefully transfer to a wire cooling rack, permitting complete temperature equalization.
8. Craft a luxurious glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until achieving a silky, pourable consistency, adjusting liquid volumes as needed.
9. Once the cake has thoroughly cooled, elegantly drizzle the glaze across the surface, encouraging delicate cascades along the cake’s contours.
10. Artfully arrange fresh rosemary sprigs and vibrant cranberries to create a wreath-like design atop the glazed cake, then delicately dust with a whisper of powdered sugar for a festive finale.

Notes

• Precision matters when measuring ingredients for a consistent, fluffy cake texture that will impress your guests.
• Creaming butter and sugar thoroughly creates tiny air pockets, ensuring a light and tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Always check cake doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs, preventing dry or undercooked areas.
• Cooling the cake completely before glazing prevents the icing from sliding off and helps create a beautiful, professional-looking finish.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 29 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg