Jolly Holiday Crunch Cake Recipe: A Festive Christmas Treat

Baking a delightful Christmas crunch cake with festive flavors sparks joy during the holiday season.

This mouthwatering dessert combines rich textures and seasonal ingredients that dance across your palate.

The recipe brings warmth and cheer to any gathering, creating memories that linger long after the last crumb disappears.

Layers of soft cake blend seamlessly with crunchy elements, offering a delectable contrast.

Sweet aromas will fill your kitchen, promising a delicious celebration of winter’s most magical time.

Each slice promises a delightful journey through traditional holiday flavors.

You’ll love how simple ingredients transform into an extraordinary dessert that captures the spirit of Christmas.

Christmas Crunch Cake Shopping List

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base for the cake's structure and ensures a tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: Creates light and airy texture by helping the cake rise evenly.
• Baking Soda: Helps neutralize acidic ingredients and contributes to the cake's soft texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and helps create a moist, tender cake texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden, caramelized exterior.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure and richness to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor and complements the festive peppermint notes.
• Buttermilk: Introduces tangy flavor and helps create a soft, tender crumb.

• Candy Canes or Peppermint Candies: Brings a delightful Christmas spirit with a cool, minty crunch and visual appeal.

Tools You’ll Want for Baking Crunch Cake

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar to a light, fluffy texture and mixing batter smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining wet ingredients and creating cake batter.
• Medium Bowl: Ideal for whisking together dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• 9×13-inch Cake Pan: Standard size for baking this festive Christmas cake.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and ensuring even distribution.
• Spatula: Helpful for folding in candy canes and scraping batter from sides of bowl.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cake to cool evenly after baking.

Instructions for Making the Ultimate Holiday Cake

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and give your cake pan a quick butter and flour massage to prevent sticking.

• Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a bowl and whirl together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until they’re best friends.

• Cream Butter and Sugar

In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture that looks like sweet heaven.

• Add Egg Magic

Drop in eggs one by one, stirring after each arrival. Splash in vanilla for an extra flavor punch.

• Combine Wet and Dry

Gently marry your dry and wet ingredients, alternating between flour mixture and buttermilk. Don’t overmix – just blend until everything looks harmonious.

• Sprinkle Festive Cheer

If you’re feeling jolly, fold in some crushed candy canes to give your cake a festive crunch that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour your batter into the prepared pan and slide it into the warm oven. Let it bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean, typically around 3540 minutes.

Add-In Ideas for Texture and Fun

• No-Fail Mixing Magic: Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for smoother blending and a more even cake texture, preventing lumpy batter and promoting even baking.
• Candy Cane Crunch Control: Crush peppermint candies just before adding to prevent moisture from making them sticky, using a rolling pin or food processor for consistent small pieces.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make this cake accessible for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining similar texture and taste.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Substitute buttermilk with almond or oat milk mixed with apple cider vinegar, and use plant-based butter for a completely dairy-free holiday treat that everyone can enjoy.
• Make-Ahead Wonder: Bake the cake a day in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature, which allows flavors to develop and makes holiday prep easier.

How to Plate and Share Christmas Crunch Cake

• Holiday Flavor Blast: Sprinkle extra crushed candy canes on top of the cake for a festive crunch and sparkling peppermint look.
• Frosting Wonderland: Cover the cake with cream cheese frosting and decorate with additional crushed peppermint candies around the edges for a winter wonderland effect.
• Dessert Pairing Magic: Serve warm slices with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a rich hot chocolate to enhance the Christmas flavor profile and create a delightful dessert experience.
• Gifting Delight: Wrap individual cake slices in festive holiday packaging for a homemade gift that spreads Christmas cheer to friends and family.

How to Store This Cake Without Losing Crunch

• Festive Slice Storage: Wrap individual cake pieces in plastic wrap, then place in an airtight container to keep fresh for 35 days at room temperature.
• Chill & Extend: Refrigerate the entire cake, covered with plastic wrap or in a sealed container, for up to 5 days. The cool environment helps maintain moisture and texture.
• Freezing Magic: Slice the cake before freezing, wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen cake stays delicious for 23 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
• Party Prep Hack: Bake the cake a day ahead and store at room temperature. This technique allows flavors to meld and makes serving easier during holiday gatherings.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 12

Festive Christmas Crunch Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas crunch cake combines holiday spirit with delightful textures and rich flavors. Seasonal spices and crunchy elements create a memorable dessert perfect for winter gatherings and celebration.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (230 g/8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups (350 g/12.35 oz) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) buttermilk
• 2 ½ cups (310 g/10.9 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (85 g/3 oz) crushed candy canes or peppermint candies
• 1 cup (90 g/3.17 oz) rice cereal
• ½ cup (100 g/3.5 oz) holiday sprinkles
• ¼ cup (50 g/1.76 oz) crushed pretzels
• ½ cup (85 g/3 oz) white chocolate chips
• ¼ cup (50 g/1.76 oz) melted butter
• ¼ cup (50 g/1.76 oz) brown sugar
• 1 cup (125 g/4.4 oz) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsps milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and coat a 9×13-inch cake pan with grease and flour, ensuring complete coverage for easy cake release.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient blend that will provide structure and lift to the cake.
3. Butter-Sugar Transformation: Cream butter and sugar together in a spacious bowl, beating until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale, developing a smooth, aerated base for the cake.
4. Egg and Flavor Integration: Add eggs one at a time, thoroughly incorporating each before introducing vanilla extract, creating a rich, cohesive wet mixture with deep flavor undertones.
5. Batter Composition: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk and mixing until just combined, taking care not to overmix and maintain the cake’s delicate texture.
6. Festive Embellishment: Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies or candy canes throughout the batter, distributing evenly to create vibrant, seasonal bursts of flavor and visual appeal.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir cake batter gently and only until ingredients are just combined to maintain a tender, light texture and avoid dense, tough cake.
• Candy Crush Technique: Crush peppermint candies into fine, uniform pieces to ensure even distribution and prevent large, hard chunks in the cake’s soft crumb.
• Temperature Precision: Allow butter, eggs, and buttermilk to reach room temperature before mixing to create smoother batter and more consistent cake texture.
• Festive Variation Options: Swap peppermint candies with other seasonal mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried cranberries to customize the cake’s flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 346
• Sugar: 31 g
• Sodium: 193 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg