The holiday season is all about celebrating joy, warmth, and togetherness, and what better way to do that than with a dessert that’s just as festive as the season itself? This Festive Christmas Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Holiday Decorations is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday dessert table. With its moist, buttery cake base, luscious cream cheese frosting, and whimsical holiday decorations, this cake is sure to delight both kids and adults alike.
Let’s walk you through how to create this stunning and delicious Christmas dessert step by step!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sheet Cake
- Perfect for Holiday Gatherings: This large sheet cake serves a crowd, making it ideal for holiday parties and family dinners.
- Rich and Moist Cake Base: The buttery, sour cream-infused cake is tender and full of flavor.
- Creamy and Tangy Frosting: The cream cheese frosting is smooth, rich, and balances the sweetness of the cake beautifully.
- Fun to Decorate: With mini candy canes, peppermint candies, and holiday sprinkles, this cake lets you unleash your inner artist.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can bake the cake a day ahead, frost and decorate it later, and it still tastes amazing.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | 1¼ cups (2½ sticks) |
| Water | 1¼ cups |
| All-purpose flour | 2½ cups |
| Granulated sugar | 2½ cups |
| Sour cream | ½ cup + 2 tablespoons (heaping ½ cup) |
| Large eggs | 2 |
| Pure vanilla extract | 1½ teaspoons |
| Baking soda | 1¼ teaspoons |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter, softened | ½ cup (1 stick) |
| Cream cheese, softened | 8 ounces |
| Powdered sugar | 3½ to 4 cups |
| Salt | ¼ teaspoon |
| Pure vanilla extract | 2 teaspoons |
For Decoration:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Mini candy canes (crooks broken off) | 24 |
| Round peppermint candies | 24 |
| Assorted holiday sprinkles | As desired |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
Preheat and Prepare the Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease and flour a 12×18-inch sheet pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Boil the Butter and Water
- In a medium saucepan, combine the butter and water. Heat over medium heat until the butter melts completely, and the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Slowly pour the butter and water mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.
- Add the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract, stirring until the batter is smooth and well mixed. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 2: Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared sheet pan, using a spatula to smooth out the surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the top is lightly golden brown.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before applying the frosting.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat Butter and Cream Cheese
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth, creamy, and well combined.
Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed to prevent a sugar cloud.
- Add the salt and vanilla extract, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Adjust the consistency with more powdered sugar if the frosting is too soft.
Step 4: Frost and Decorate the Cake
Frost the Cake
- Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the surface of the cake using a spatula or offset knife.
Add the Decorations
- Press the mini candy canes and round peppermint candies into the frosting in a pattern of your choice.
- Scatter assorted holiday sprinkles over the top for a festive touch.
Step 5: Serve and Store
- Slice the cake into squares and serve immediately.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Sheet Cake
- Grease the Pan Well: Use butter or baking spray to ensure the cake doesn’t stick to the pan. A parchment paper liner can make removal even easier.
- Use Full-Fat Dairy: Full-fat sour cream and cream cheese give the best flavor and texture. Avoid low-fat alternatives.
- Cool the Cake Completely: Let the cake cool entirely before frosting; otherwise, the frosting will melt and slide off.
- Customize Decorations: Swap out peppermint candies and sprinkles for other festive options, like red and green M&M’s or chocolate curls.
- Make It Ahead: Bake the cake and prepare the frosting a day in advance. Store them separately and frost the cake just before serving.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Based on 24 Servings)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 |
| Total Fat | 15 g |
| Saturated Fat | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 43 g |
| Sugar | 35 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
FAQs About Festive Christmas Sheet Cake
1. Can I use a smaller pan?
Yes, but you’ll need to adjust the baking time. For a 9×13-inch pan, bake for 30–35 minutes and check for doneness.
2. Can I freeze this cake?
Yes! Wrap the unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting and decorating.
3. Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
4. What if I don’t have mini candy canes?
You can use broken pieces of full-sized candy canes or substitute with any other festive candies.
5. How do I avoid lumps in my frosting?
Ensure the butter and cream cheese are fully softened before mixing. Sifting the powdered sugar also helps create a smooth texture.
6. How far in advance can I decorate the cake?
You can decorate the cake up to 1 day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator until serving.
Final Thoughts
This Festive Christmas Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Holiday Decorations is everything you need for a show-stopping holiday dessert. It’s moist, flavorful, easy to make, and customizable to fit your holiday theme. Whether you’re hosting a big Christmas dinner or need a dessert to impress at a holiday party, this cake will be the star of the table.
So preheat your oven, grab your favorite festive decorations, and get ready to bake some holiday magic. Your guests (and your taste buds) will thank you!
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Festive Christmas Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Holiday Decorations
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
Description
Bring joy and cheer to your holiday table with this Festive Christmas Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Holiday Decorations. This buttery, moist cake is easy to make and serves a crowd, making it perfect for holiday parties or family gatherings. Topped with a creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting and fun holiday decorations, this cake is as delicious as it is beautiful!
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1¼ cups (2½ sticks) unsalted butter
- 1¼ cups water
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons sour cream (a heaping ½ cup works great)
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1¼ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3½ to 4 cups powdered sugar (adjust for desired consistency)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For Decoration:
- Mini candy canes, crooks broken off to leave only straight pieces (approximately 24)
- Round peppermint candies (approximately 24)
- Assorted holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 12×18-inch sheet pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Boil the Butter and Water: In a medium saucepan, combine the butter and water. Heat over medium heat until the butter melts completely, and the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly pour the butter and water mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined. Add the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract, stirring until the batter is smooth and well mixed. Be careful not to overmix.
- Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared sheet pan, using a spatula to smooth out the surface. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- Beat the Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Add the Sugar, Salt, and Vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud. Add the salt and vanilla extract. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Adjust the Consistency: If the frosting is too soft, add more powdered sugar until it reaches your desired thickness.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top using a spatula or an offset knife.
- Decorate: Press the mini candy canes and round peppermint candies into the frosting in a pattern of your choice. Scatter assorted holiday sprinkles over the top to add a festive touch.
- Serve: Slice into squares and serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Use Full-Fat Dairy: Full-fat sour cream and cream cheese ensure the best flavor and texture. Avoid low-fat substitutes for this recipe.
- Cool Completely Before Frosting: Be sure to let the cake cool completely before adding the frosting to avoid it melting.
- Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can bake the cake and prepare the frosting a day in advance. Frost and decorate the cake just before serving for the freshest look and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
