Christmas Chaos Cake
A delightful holiday cake combining festive flavors and textures with cream cheese swirl and frosting, perfect for gatherings and celebrations.
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 9x13-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.
Notes
Keep the Christmas Chaos Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If refrigerating, it can last up to a week. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring it's well-wrapped to prevent freezer burn. Tips include using room temperature ingredients for a smooth batter, not overmixing, and being creative with the cream cheese swirl design.