Jolly Christmas Crunch Cake Recipe: Festive Sweet Delight

Dessert enthusiasts often seek the ultimate holiday treat that combines nostalgia with delectable flavors.

This christmas crunch cake brings festive cheer to every slice with its irresistible texture.

Layers of moist cake intertwine with crunchy elements that dance on your palate.

Rich, decadent notes of seasonal spices peek through each delightful bite.

Festive decorations and a sprinkle of holiday magic make this dessert a showstopper at any gathering.

The crisp, sweet crumbles add a delightful contrast to the soft cake base.

Bakers of all skill levels can confidently create this crowd-pleasing dessert that promises to become a cherished holiday tradition.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 455 kcal

Servings: 11

Everything Inside Christmas Crunch Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for the holiday cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a soft, moist texture.
• Butter: Delivers rich flavor and ensures a smooth, creamy cake consistency.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add richness to the cake.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a light, tender cake texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Crucial leavening agents for a fluffy, rise cake.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and highlights other flavors.

• Rice Cereal: Creates delightful, crispy texture and adds playful crunch.
• White Chocolate Chips: Provides sweet, creamy element to the topping.
• Crushed Pretzels: Introduces salty contrast and interesting texture.
• Holiday Sprinkles: Adds festive color and whimsical appearance.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel flavor and helps bind topping.
• Butter: Helps create sticky, cohesive topping mixture.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet drizzle.
• Milk: Thins out sugar for perfect drizzling consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle flavor complexity to glaze.
• Candy Canes/Peppermint Candies: Optional mix-in for extra holiday spirit and minty crunch.

Tools You’ll Need For Christmas Crunch Cake

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar until fluffy and blending ingredients smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients without making a mess.
• Medium Mixing Bowls: Great for whisking flour mixture and preparing toppings.
• 9×13-inch Cake Pan: Standard size for baking this festive Christmas crunch cake.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients and create smooth mixtures.
• Small Saucepan: Needed for melting butter and brown sugar for the crunchy topping.
• Toothpick: Crucial for checking cake doneness by inserting into the center.
• Spatula: Helps fold ingredients and smooth batter evenly in the pan.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities for perfect results.

How To Make Christmas Crunch Cake Step-By-Step

• Cake Base Preparation

Whip up a delectable foundation for your Christmas celebration. Mix flour, butter, sugar, and eggs into a smooth batter. Fold in crushed peppermint candies for a delightful seasonal twist. The key is to create a light, fluffy texture that melts in your mouth.

• Magical Baking Process

Transfer the batter into a greased pan and let the oven work its magic. Watch as the cake rises and fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, signaling the perfect golden-brown creation.

• Crunchy Festive Topping

Create a spectacular crown for your cake by combining crispy rice cereal, white chocolate chips, and holiday sprinkles. Melt butter and brown sugar to bind these ingredients into a delectable crunch that adds texture and excitement to every slice.

• Final Flourish

Generously sprinkle the crunchy mixture over the cooled cake. For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle a silky glaze that adds a sparkling finish to your holiday masterpiece.

• Celebration Time

Slice and serve this show-stopping dessert that captures the joy and magic of the holiday season. Perfect for sharing with loved ones over warm conversations and cheerful moments.

Tips To Make Christmas Crunch Cake Taste Even Better

• Perfect Cake Texture Tricks: Ensure room temperature ingredients blend smoothly for a more even, tender cake crumb. Mix ingredients just until combined to prevent overmixing, which can create a tough texture.
• Holiday Diet-Friendly Swap: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend for those with gluten sensitivities. Use dairy-free butter and almond milk to make the recipe completely dairy-free and allergy-friendly.
• Peppermint Intensity Boost: Experiment with different mint intensities by adding peppermint extract to the batter or using crushed mint candies of varying strengths. For a milder flavor, reduce the amount of mint candies.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake base a day before serving and store wrapped in plastic at room temperature. Add the crunchy topping just before serving to maintain maximum crispness and prevent sogginess.
• Festive Presentation Hack: Create a decorative pattern with the crunchy topping by using holiday-themed cookie cutters as stencils. Sprinkle the topping around the cutters for a professional, elegant look that'll impress your guests.

Serving Up Christmas Crunch Cake Made Simple

• Festive Holiday Centerpiece: Position the Christmas Crunch Cake as a stunning dessert centerpiece during holiday parties, garnishing with extra candy cane pieces and sprinkles for visual appeal.
• Cocoa Companion Delight: Serve thick slices alongside warm hot chocolate, creating a cozy winter treat that combines rich cake texture with sweet chocolate warmth.
• Ice Cream Pairing Magic: Top each cake slice with a scoop of peppermint or vanilla ice cream, enhancing the dessert's seasonal flavors and adding delightful temperature contrast.
• Gift-Worthy Presentation: Package individual slices in clear festive boxes with ribbons, transforming the cake into a thoughtful homemade holiday gift for friends and neighbors.

How To Store And Plan For Christmas Crunch Cake

Keep cake covered at room temperature for 2-3 days in an airtight container to maintain freshness and texture.

• Freezing Magic: Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store in freezer for up to 3 weeks. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Topping Tip: Store crunchy topping separately in sealed container to prevent sogginess. Sprinkle just before serving for maximum crispness.
• Temperature Control: Refrigerate if using dairy-based glaze to prevent spoilage. Remove cake 30 minutes before serving to restore room temperature softness.

Festive Christmas Crunch Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Christmas crunch cake delivers festive delight through layers of rich chocolate and peppermint. Crunchy candy cane pieces and silky ganache create a memorable holiday dessert you’ll crave all season long.

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Ingredients

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

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Instructions

1. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined and aerated.
2. Butter Mixture Creation: Cream butter and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until light and fluffy, developing a soft, pillowy texture.
3. Egg and Flavor Integration: Add eggs one at a time, blending completely after each addition, then incorporate vanilla extract to enhance the overall flavor profile.
4. Batter Formation: Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, gently folding to create a smooth, well-integrated batter without overmixing.
5. Festive Incorporation: Fold crushed candy canes throughout the batter, ensuring even distribution for consistent holiday crunch in every bite.
6. Baking Preparation: Grease and flour a 9×13-inch cake pan, pour the batter, and smooth the surface to promote uniform baking.
7. Oven Transformation: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick that comes out clean from the center.
8. Cooling and Topping Preparation: Allow cake to cool completely while simultaneously creating a crunchy topping by mixing rice cereal, holiday sprinkles, crushed pretzels, and white chocolate chips.
9. Caramel Binding: Melt butter and brown sugar in a saucepan until achieving a glossy, bubbly caramel sauce, then pour over the cereal mixture and gently toss to coat thoroughly.
10. Final Assembly: Spread the crunchy caramel-coated topping evenly across the cooled cake, then optionally drizzle with a silky glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
11. Serving Suggestion: Cut into generous portions and pair with warm beverages like hot cocoa or freshly brewed coffee for the ultimate holiday indulgence.

Notes

• Manage Ingredient Texture: Crush candy canes or peppermint candies into fine, consistent pieces to prevent large chunks disrupting cake’s smooth texture.
• Prevent Overmixing: Blend cake batter gently and minimally to maintain light, airy consistency and avoid developing tough, dense cake structure.
• Control Caramel Binding: Heat butter and brown sugar carefully, stirring constantly to prevent burning and achieve glossy, smooth caramel sauce without crystallization.
• Temperature Precision: Cool cake completely before adding crunchy topping to ensure crisp texture and prevent soggy or melting ingredients.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 455
• Sugar: 37 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg