There’s nothing better than a cake to turn any occasion into a celebration, and that holds especially true during the holidays. While cookies may reign supreme as THE dessert synonymous with Christmas, we think cakes are just as notable. From creamy cheesecakes to breakfast bakes, with multilayered masterpieces in between, we’ve got every cake you need to celebrate this holiday season.

We’ve got a little something for everyone here, whether you’re looking for a show stopping centerpiece for a holiday dinner, or simply an easy addition to a Christmas party dessert table. Not a super confident baker, but want to get in on the holiday spirit? Try our mini eggnog cheesecakes (no water bath!), our ugly sweater cake, our citrus upside-down cake (the fruit is the decoration), or our milk ‘n’ cookies icebox cake. They're full of seasonal flavors and easy decorations, but don't require a ton of effort.

Have more experience in the kitchen, and looking for something that’ll blow your guests minds? Check out our (9-layer!) Christmas tree cake, our lemon meringue cheesecake, our bûche de noël, or our peppermint bark cheesecake. Plan ahead, these babies will take some extra time, but are so worth the extra effort.

We’ve even got things here to make your breakfasts extra festive, like our cranberry cake, our salted caramel pound cake, our fruitcake, or our cookie dough pound cake. Serve them alongside some Christmas coffee, our cranberry mimosas, or our best hot chocolate for the perfect holly jolly morning.

Want more Christmas inspiration? Check out our best Christmas appetizers, side dishes, and dinners for ideas to round out your holiday meals all season long.

Bûche de Noël cakes are a French Christmas tradition dating back to the 19th century. Rolling up a warm cake in a towel might seem crazy, but it's the best way to ensure the cake won't crack when you frost it. You could decorate it like a log, as is traditional, or try any other variety of frosting and topping combos—it's all about that gorgeous swirl, so anything else you manage is a bonus.

Get the Bûche de Noël (Yule Log Cake) recipe.

Bake off your favorite cupcakes, pipe a tall swirling mound of red frosting on top, then add a little white around the edges and top. You'll have the cutest Christmas dessert in no time, and everyone will be obsessed.

Get the Santa Hat Cupcakes recipe.

Traditionally a date-studded sponge cake topped with a rich toffee sauce, this the perfect dessert for holiday meals or special occasions. It’s truly a dessert like any other and is best served still slightly warm out of the pan with extra toffee sauce drizzled on top.

Get the Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe.

Nine layers of breath-taking beauty! This Christmas tree cake is perfect for when you really want to show off this holiday season. We recommend using a homemade cake recipe, like our chocolate or yellow cakes, but boxed cake mix will work too.

Get the Christmas Tree Cake recipe.

Everyone should have a good red velvet cake recipe in their back pocket—and this is it. It has a decadent chocolate flavor and the creamiest cream cheese frosting. The combo of vinegar and buttermilk makes a red velvet cake extra tender, light, and fluffy. The striking red color makes it unforgettable (and perfect for the holidays!).

Get the Red Velvet Cake recipe.

With an Oreo crust and ganache topping this is our favorite cheesecake to make for Christmas. It's like peppermint bark in cheesecake form, and we can't get enough.

Get the Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake recipe.

We used slices from navel, blood orange, Cara Cara oranges, grapefruit, and lemons, but really any of your favorite wintery citrus can be used for this stunner of an upside-down cake.

Get the Citrus Upside Down Cake recipe.

This cranberry pound cake is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. The cranberries will burst and release all of their juices while baking, making each bite extra exciting. The sugar topping adds a subtle crunch too, and the sour cream keeps this cake moist for days.

Get the Cranberry Cake recipe.

Fruitcake is an iconic holiday dessert that doesn't get the love it deserves. This is the one you should take the risk on though. Freshly baked, fruitcake is delicious and studded with dry fruit and pecans and warmly spiced. The glaze is optional but is a helpful, sweet addition.

Get the Fruitcake recipe.

These cupcakes look so impressive, but are actually so easy to make. You could have these done before your aunt can finish decorating her first sugar cookie.

Get the Christmas Light Cupcakes recipe.

We use sweetened condensed, evaporated, and whole milk for this Latin American sponge cake. Some recipes use heavy cream in place of whole milk, but we feel the mixture is already so decadent and that milk helps balance it. Plus, we use heavy cream for the topping so it still makes it way in there. 😉

Get the Tres Leches Cake recipe.

Andes chocolate lovers, meet your new favorite layer cake. The layers of chocolate and mint buttercream will have you falling in love.

Get the Andes Chocolate Cake recipe.

This perfect pound cake is sliced, then stuffed with delicious cookie dough for the most epic of combos. We are dreaming up excuses to make it over and over again this Christmas (we might leave some out for Santa in lieu of regular cookies!).

Get the Cookie Dough Pound Cake recipe.

Eggnog is one of the best ways we know how to celebrate the holidays so, naturally, we had to turn some into mini cheesecakes. Using a gingersnap for the crust makes these extra easy and makes them taste even more seasonal. Feel free to use store-bought or homemade cookies and nog, these will turn out great either way.

Get the Mini Eggnog Cheesecakes recipe.

Popular in the Caribbean, rum cake is a vanilla Bundt cake that has rum in the batter. Traditionally, dried fruit is soaked in rum for months and then added to the cake batter too, but we've made a more accessible homemade version here.

Get the Glazed Rum Cake recipe.

You could use any type of cake for this recipe, but truthfully, we actually prefer starting with boxed mix. With the homemade buttercream, chocolate coating, and festive sprinkles, no one will notice or care.

Get the Cake Balls recipe.

Nothing screams Christmas dessert like red velvet cake, and we made it even crazier by layering two cakes between a thick layer of plain cheesecake. You're welcome.

Get theRed Velvet Cheesecake Cake recipe.

A classic chocolate cake is always a good idea, but if you want to switch things up a bit, give this white chocolate cake a try. It's soft and layered with a white chocolate mousse and then frosted with a simple cream cheese frosting. We recommend using good-quality bars of white chocolate with this cake, as it will really make a difference.

Get the White Chocolate Cake recipe.

It doesn’t get more festive than everyone’s favorite holiday menu special from The Cheesecake Factory. Peppermint bark meets cheesecake in this minty, chocolate-y epic dessert. Studded with chopped chocolate and candy canes, it tastes just like the real thing.

Get the Peppermint Bark Cheesecake recipe.

If you’re looking for a showstopping, mouthwatering dessert to impress dinner guests, look no further than this lemon meringue cheesecake recipe. The layers of graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake, bright yellow lemon curd, and a big swoop of toasted meringue will get everyone in a frenzy even before their first bite.

Get the Lemon Meringue Cheesecake recipe.

Bake up an ode to our favorite grumpy Christmas character complete with a bright red Santa hat made from buttercream.

Get the Kranky Cupcakes recipe.

Contrary to the name, Figgy Pudding isn't pudding (at least not by America's definition). "Pudding" in this case refers to the British style of a steamed cake-like dessert that will perfume your entire house as it bakes, thanks to its dreamy combination of spices.

Get the Figgy Pudding recipe.

Want to turn Santa's milk and cookies into a dessert you can serve a crowd? This no-bake icebox showstopper is for you—did we mention it only has 4 ingredients?

Get the Milk 'N' Cookies Icebox Cake recipe.

Chocolate cake meets chocolate pudding in this decadent dessert. This sliceable homemade pudding in cake form is a great dessert for the non-cake lovers this holiday season. Warm up your knife to ensure clean slices!

Get the Chocolate Pudding Cake recipe.

It’s hard not to love a creamy, light slice of tiramisu, but we especially love it in cake form. Whether you’re looking for a slightly more approachable take on the Italian classic, or are just a tiramisu fanatic looking for a clever twist, this recipe will make for the perfect addition to any holiday celebration.

Get the Tiramisu Cake recipe.

This is no ordinary pound cake. It's swirled with a sweet and decadent caramel batter and topped with a healthy drizzle of salted caramel after it's baked. We recommend using our perfect caramel sauce for this recipe (but store-bought works too!).

Get the Salted Caramel Pound Cake recipe.

Icebox cake may be an old-school concept, but this recipe is truly spectacular. The combination of lemon curd and cream cheese frosting is intensely citrusy and refreshing, and the quick candied lemon peel makes it priceless.

Get the Lemon Icebox Cake recipe.

Ever feel like chocolate cake just isn't... chocolatey enough? This cake triples down on chocolate flavor with cocoa powder, chocolate chips, brewed coffee, and espresso powder to bump up that chocolate flavor.

Get the Best-Ever Chocolate Cake recipe.

The holidays aren't the holidays without eggnog. This layer cake takes cues from the classic holiday drink for a perfectly decadent and festive dessert. We'd take a slice of this over a Christmas cookie any day.

Get the Eggnog Spice Cake recipe.

This cheesecake will make ALL your Christmas dessert dreams come true. It's perfectly peppermint-y, and extra cute, thanks to mini candy canes (but crushed regular size or rounds will work too!).

Get the Candy Cane Cheesecake recipe.

To get that perfect caramelized sugar topping crème brûlée is known for, we highly recommend using a torch. We tested putting this cheesecake under the broiler, but it just didn't work as well. If you need more excuses to get one, check out our crème brûlée cupcakes or sugar cookies too.

Get the Crème Brûlée Cheesecake recipe.

Chocolate cake, chocolate fudge filling, and chocolate buttercream...this recipe is for serious chocoholics only.

Get the Death By Chocolate Poke Cake recipe.

Snickerdoodle lovers, have we got the cheesecake for you. It's FULL of cinnamon sugar goodness, and is even topped with cookies so get the best of both worlds.

Get the Snickerdoodle Cheesecake recipe.

We've seen a lot of impressive ugly sweater cakes on the Internet that show off some MAJOR piping skills. For ours though, all you need to pipe a few thick lines on a store-bought or homemade cake to make it look like somewhat like a sweater, then go crazy with the decor!

Get the Ugly Sweater Cake recipe.

Orange and vanilla is one of our favorite flavor combinations, year-round. You too? Try our creamsicle milkshake next.

Get the Creamsicle Cheesecake recipe.

Beat those winter blues with this soft, luscious, comforting chocolate cake stuffed with marshmallow crème. Perfectly paired with a hot mug of? You guessed it...

Get the Hot Cocoa Poke Cake recipe.

Few desserts are as easy as an icebox cake. If you can whip cream, you're basically halfway there. Oreo Thins make a great cookie base because they can soften perfectly all the way through, but, honestly, a a regular Oreo or even holiday Oreos will work just as well if you have those on hand.

Get the Easy Icebox Cake recipe.

This poke cake is a must make this holiday season. Topping chocolate cake with peppermint-flavored marshmallow topping and Cool Whip would be delicious enough, but we take it over the top with fudge sauce and crushed peppermints.

Get the Peppermint Poke Cake recipe.

Take a batch of boxed cake mix cupcakes to the next level of cuteness with some shredded coconut, M&Ms, and Oreos. These are perfect for a holiday bake sale or classroom party.

Get the Polar Bear Paw Cupcakes recipe.

Do yourself a favor and ease into all your holiday mornings with this festive Bundt cake. You're going to flip over the white chocolate glaze.

Get the Cranberry Coffee Cake recipe.

Move over pineapple upside-down cake, this seasonal version is here to stay. Bright citrus and cranberries make this cake a stunning centerpiece that can be eaten for dessert or breakfast.

Get the Upside-Down Orange-Cranberry Cake recipe.

Love cheesecake, but hate water baths? This cheesecake has the best work around to avoid one—blanket your cheesecake with delicious sugared almonds to cover any cracks. That and the almond flavor here makes this cheesecake a winner, for the holidays and beyond.

Get the Amaretto Cheesecake recipe.

Don't be intimidated. These pull-apart cupcakes are wayyyy easier to make than you'd think. (Just watch the video a couple times 😉) If you're not willing to put in the work on decorating with frosting, make our Grinch Kranky Treats instead.

Get the Grinch Pull-Apart Cupcakes recipe.

If you've never had olive oil-based dessert, this citrusy, tender cake is a great place to start. Wintery lemon and orange zest play super well with the grassy, bright flavors of olive oil.

Get the Citrus Olive Oil Cake recipe.

Classic buttercream is great and all, but have you ever had Italian meringue? The not too sweet frosting pairs well with the rich chocolate cake and looks great swirled or toasted on the outside. Pipe it on to make pretty swirls and rosettes, or use a kitchen torch for a s'mores vibe.

Get the Marshmallow Cake recipe.

We turned two store-bought cake mixes, one 8" cake pan, one 8" heat-safe bowl, marshmallows, and one cake donut to create this joyful igloo cake. Check out our video for tips, and then use this recipe to spark your baking imagination.

Get the Igloo Cake recipe.

Ground pistachios are added in with the flour to create a subtly green-hued cake with a nutty flavor and texture. There's a hint of cardamom in there to add intrigue, as well. The cake then gets a thin layer of cream cheese frosting for a tangy addition that perfectly ties it all together.

Get the Pistachio Cake recipe.

It's hard to beat a great chocolate chip cookie. A chocolate chip cookie + milk? Perfection. This cake has it all and more (more being... cake) and we think it's the perfect celebration cake to welcome Santa down the chimney this holiday season.

Get the Milk & Cookies Cake recipe.

This cheesecake will be the star of all your holiday parties this year. Sugared cranberries look crazy impressive on top but are actually very simple to make (once you learn how, you might just want to put them on everything).

Get the Sparkling Cranberry Cheesecake recipe.

This Girl Scout cookie-inspired cheesecake is extra minty, perfect for the winter holidays. Go extra hard on the Christmas theme by adding crushed peppermints too!

Get the Thin Mint Cheesecake recipe.

Gingerbread cookies are a holiday staple. That said, no one EVER turns down a slice of cheesecake at our holiday celebrations. This beauty merges the two, for a festive cheesecake worthy of your holiday table.

Get the Gingerbread Cheesecake recipe.

It doesn't get more Christmas than eggnog, and this poke cake makes it extra easy to get those spiced custard vibes (without having to drink any eggs!).

Get the Eggnog Poke Cake recipe.