Why Make This Recipe
Christmas Chaos Cake is a delightful addition to your holiday festivities. This cake not only embodies the spirit of Christmas with its festive flavors but also combines multiple textures and tastes in one bite. With nuts, cranberries, and chocolate chips stirring up a “chaos” of flavors, it’s perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or a treat for yourself during the busy season. The cream cheese swirl and frosting make it even more special, ensuring it will be a holiday favorite!
How to Make Christmas Chaos Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- ¾ cup chopped dried cranberries
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons butter (softened)
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 –2 tablespoons milk (for consistency)
Optional Toppings:
- Red and green sprinkles
- Chopped candied cherries
- White chocolate drizzle
Directions
Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
Cream Butter & Sugars: In another large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy — about 2–3 minutes.
Add Eggs & Flavoring: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Combine Wet & Dry: Alternate adding the dry ingredients with sour cream and milk, mixing just until smooth.
Add the Chaos: Fold in chopped nuts, cranberries, and chocolate chips — the “chaos” that makes this cake festive and flavorful.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Swirl: In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Spoon dollops of the mixture over the cake batter and swirl gently with a knife.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 38–42 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan.
Make the Frosting: Beat together cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough milk to reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Frost & Decorate: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Add festive toppings like sprinkles, candied cherries, or a white chocolate drizzle.
Serve: Slice into squares and enjoy this soft, festive cake that tastes like all your favorite holiday treats in one bite.
How to Serve Christmas Chaos Cake
To serve Christmas Chaos Cake, slice it into squares and arrange on a festive platter. This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee, and it’s perfect for holiday gatherings. Guests will appreciate the delightful flavors and textures in each piece!
How to Store Christmas Chaos Cake
Keep the Christmas Chaos Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to store it longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. To maintain its quality, you can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure it’s well-wrapped to prevent freezer burn!
Tips to Make Christmas Chaos Cake
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for a smooth batter.
- Don’t Overmix: Avoid overmixing once you combine wet and dry ingredients to keep the cake light and fluffy.
- Swirl Creatively: When making the cream cheese swirl, have fun with the design! Create swirls that decorate the top without blending completely.
- Add More Festive Touches: You can customize the toppings based on your holiday preferences.
Variation
Feel free to mix up the nuts or use different dried fruits like raisins or cherries for a unique flavor. You can also experiment with flavored extracts, such as almond or peppermint, for a seasonal twist.
FAQs
1. Can I make this cake in advance?
Yes! You can bake the cake a day or two before serving. Just keep it covered, and frost it when you’re ready to serve.
2. Can I use other types of flour?
You can use gluten-free all-purpose flour if you have dietary restrictions. Just make sure to check the brand for the best results.
3. How can I make this cake more chocolatey?
You can add cocoa powder to the batter or increase the amount of mini chocolate chips for a richer chocolate flavor. Adjust the flour accordingly if using cocoa powder.
Christmas Chaos Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- 0.5 cup whole milk
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 0.75 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 0.5 cup mini chocolate chips
For the Cream Cheese Swirl
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons butter (softened)
- 1.5 cups powdered sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (for consistency)
Optional Toppings
- Red and green sprinkles
- Chopped candied cherries
- White chocolate drizzle
Instructions
Preheat & Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
Cream Butter & Sugars
- In another large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy — about 2–3 minutes.
Add Eggs & Flavoring
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Combine Wet & Dry
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients with sour cream and milk, mixing just until smooth.
Add the Chaos
- Fold in chopped nuts, cranberries, and chocolate chips — the “chaos” that makes this cake festive and flavorful.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Swirl
- In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Spoon dollops of the mixture over the cake batter and swirl gently with a knife.
Bake
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 38–42 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan.
Make the Frosting
- Beat together cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough milk to reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Frost & Decorate
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Add festive toppings like sprinkles, candied cherries, or a white chocolate drizzle.
Serve
- Slice into squares and enjoy this soft, festive cake that tastes like all your favorite holiday treats in one bite.