Description
A wildly festive dessert stacked with layers of holiday flavor—dark chocolate sponge, cinnamon buttercream, spiced cranberry compote, and crunchy peppermint shards. It’s Christmas, in cake form—loud, chaotic, and unforgettable.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 batch cinnamon buttercream (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup spiced cranberry compote
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy
- Optional: edible glitter, sugared cranberries, mini candy canes for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat together sugars, oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir in hot water until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly between pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cakes cool completely.
- Spread cinnamon buttercream on the first layer. Top with cranberry compote. Repeat with second layer.
- Place the third cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with remaining buttercream.
- Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over the top. Add garnishes like sugared cranberries or edible glitter if desired.
- Chill cake 20 minutes before slicing. Serve with holiday cheer!
Notes
Make the cake layers a day ahead for easier assembly. Use a piping bag for cleaner buttercream layers if you’re feeling fancy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Holiday Special
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Christmas cake, holiday dessert, chocolate cake, cranberry, peppermint