19 Holiday Cake Recipes to Make You Forget About Pie (2024)

The holiday dessert scene has seen a long-running affinity for pie. While we’re hard pressed to find people who actively avoid the sweet treat, it’s about time that other decadent desserts get a shot at the center of the table. If you can’t let pie go, by all means have both, but trust: These gorgeous cakes will be the ultimate culinary gift to share with guests.

1. Allergen-Friendly Gingerbread Wreath Cake: Hey, you may have been down about the stuff you won’t be able to eat at every gut-busting family meal (stupid food allergies), but chin up. This cake has your back. (via Pure Ella)

2. Salted Caramel Eggnog Pound Cake: If eggnog is your jam, you’ll be all about this rich treat. Our vote is to make your pound cake with eggnog year round. (via Baker by Nature)

3. Pumpkin Spice Cake: Pumpkin pie who? This yummy dessert is the perfect sub for pie if you’ve got a table full of Thanksgiving food traditionalists. (via Gimme Some Oven)

4. Cookies + Cream Peppermint Ice Cream Cake: You can make semi-homemade cake super Instagram worthy. This fantastic and festive dessert would look great next to your aunt’s ambrosia. (via Brit + Co)

6. Almond Cranberry Cake With Mascarpone Frosting: It’s always a good idea to make adorable desserts that portion as individual servings. Plus, with mascarpone cheese involved, how can anyone resist these? (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)

7. Vegan Apple Gingerbread Cake: This makes us so happy about late fall produce. Yay, apples! <3 (via Minimalist Baker)

8. Salted Nutella S’Mores Cake: Nutella is always a good idea. This s’mores cake will be one of your favorite ideas ever. (via Brit + Co)

9. Chocolate Peppermint Holiday Cake: If there was ever a cake to swoon over all day long, it’s this one. It looks good and must taste amazing too. You go, beautiful cake. (via The Kitchen McCabe)

10. Gingerbread Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting and Sugared Cranberries: This cake reminds us of a gingerbread house and renders all the happy feels :) And the rule is, if a cake makes you smile, you must bake it. (via Call Me Cupcake)

11. Chocolate Merlot Cake: Ever wonder why there’s a category of dessert wine? Exhibit A. This rich and complex cake is perfect for refined tastes. (via Hip Foodie Mom)

12. Salted Caramel Apple Snickers Cake: Win at getting everyone to eat with their eyes, and revel in the fact that it’s also freaking delicious. Nom to the Nth degree. (via Half Baked Harvest)

13. Champagne Cake: Since the holidays are full of cheer as it is, might as well continue the theme of merriment through to dessert. Plus, who doesn’t want to eat champagne while drinking champagne? (via The Glitter Guide)

14. One Bowl Vegan and Gluten-Free Chocolate Hazelnut Cake: And today, kids, the word of the day is YUM. This cake is a crowdpleaser for sure. (via Minimalist Baker)

15. Bailey’s Tres Leches Cake: Tres leches cake is what regs cake wants to be when it grows up. This boozy Bailey’s version will totally hit the spot. Also, edible flowers never hurt. (via The Jewels of New York)

16. Bourbon Chocolate Cake: Even the name of this cake tastes good. This one deserves a toast. (via BHG Delish Dish)

17. Italian Rainbow Cookie Cake: Not only is the color palette of this cake reminiscent of those yummy Italian cookies, it’s also totally in season right now. You’ll wow your guests with that first slice no question. (via Brit + Co)

18. Sweet Potato Layer Cake: Love sweet potato pie? Give that classic dessert a nod with this recipe that’s the epitome of deliciousness. (via Love and Olive Oil)

19. Pumpkin Salted Caramel Cake: This cake brings together all the flavors of our favorite fall lattes. Holla. (via Glorious Treats)

What desserts are you cooking up for the holidays? Tell us in the comments!

From Your Site Articles

  • Brit + Co's 'Grammable Guide to Holiday Cookies - Brit + Co ›

Ashley Lee

Ashley is a homegrown New Englander with an affinity for artwork living in the Boston area. She loves painting with watercolors, the city of New Orleans, and like most Bostonians, she enjoys her iced coffee year-round. See her latest creative works on her Etsy shop, Oh My, How Lovely!

19 Holiday Cake Recipes to Make You Forget About Pie (2024)

FAQs

What makes pie better than cake? ›

For one: pies can both be condiments and dinners, which gives the pies a natural advantage over cakes in many hypothetical situational comparisons. However, cakes has the advantage of always being wanted, by everyone, whereas pies are more dependent on timing.

What is a good birthday cake for someone who doesn t like sweets? ›

You could try a carrot cake or a spice cake. Neither of those are quite as sweet as some other cakes. You could also cut back a little bit on the sugar and/or find a frosting that isn't too sweet.

What is a savory birthday cake alternative for adults? ›

If you are not into sweet desserts at all, savory options like potato chip cupcakes, pepperoni pizza cakes and luxurious birthday burgers are all interesting cake alternatives.

What separates pie from cake? ›

Unlike pies, cakes have sweetness built into the definition. Instead of fruit, meat, or pudding, cakes are defined by ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and baking powder or soda. Cakes also lack the pastry crust topping common to various types of pie.

Is it rude to say no to birthday cake? ›

No, it isn't rude to refuse cake at a birthday party. It's never rude to refuse any food offered to you with a simple, “No, thank you.” People have medical conditions such as diabetes and may not want to eat cake. People may not even like cake.

What cake can Type 2 diabetics eat? ›

Sugar-free victoria sponge

A modern take on a timeless classic, this victoria sponge recipe has plenty of fruity flavour without the sugar. Both the sponge and the double cream topping are made with xylitol, to keep this cake diabetic-friendly.

Is angel food cake best for diabetics? ›

As stated previously, Angel Food Cakes are great for people with diabetes because they are low in sugar compared to most other cakes, and especially low in simple sugars and carbohydrates.

Can diabetics eat Christmas cake? ›

Healthy eating for people with diabetes is the same as for everyone else. All of the traditional Christmas foods such as mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas cake can still be enjoyed but just don't eat too many or too much in one go.

What is a smashed birthday cake? ›

an event at which someone, especially a baby on its first birthday, is photographed eating or playing with a cake in an untidy way : A cake smash is the new way to celebrate your baby's first birthday.

What is a bento birthday cake? ›

"Bento" is a Japanese word that refers to a lunch box. Bento cakes are small cakes that are approximately 3 to 4 inches in diameter and weigh around 250 to 300 grams, making them sufficient for two people.

What is a smash cake for adults? ›

If you search the hashtag #adultsmashcakesession on Instagram, you'll find tons of grownups celebrating their birthdays — usually their 30th (excuse us, 360 months) — by taking professional photos with an individual-size cake for smashing, along with a pretty background.

What is so good about pie? ›

It's the combination of light flaky crust and delicious filling. I usually don't like cakes with icing because they are too sweet, but pies have the fresh taste of fruit and the crust isn't sweet, so it makes a nice balance. But then there's pecan pie.

Why pies are the best dessert? ›

27 Jul 2023. There are many reasons why serving pie can be a great choice for a dessert or meal: Versatility: Pies can be made with a variety of fillings and crusts, so there is something for everyone. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, there is a pie recipe that will suit your taste.

What makes something a pie and not a cake? ›

A cake is typically made by combining a mixture of dry ingredients, including flour and leavening agents, with some mixture of wet ingredients including eggs, milk, oil, and butter. That batter is then baked in a pan to make a bread-like sweet. A pie, on the other hand, typically has a buttery pastry crust as the base.

What makes a high quality pie? ›

The following are characteristics of a good pie:

Crust is uniformly browned and golden brown around the side, somewhat lighter brown on bottom. Crust is flaky and tender. Filling is firm, smooth, and sufficiently cooked. Flavor is well-blended, with the filling characteristic for that kind of pie.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tish Haag

Last Updated:

Views: 6434

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tish Haag

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 30256 Tara Expressway, Kutchburgh, VT 92892-0078

Phone: +4215847628708

Job: Internal Consulting Engineer

Hobby: Roller skating, Roller skating, Kayaking, Flying, Graffiti, Ghost hunting, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.