25 Vintage Christmas Cake Recipes Just Like Grandma Used to Make

As much fun as it is to experiment with new and exciting recipes, you can never go wrong with a timeless dessert—especially during the holidays. Keep it classic this season with our collection of tried-and-true vintage Christmas cakes. From grandma-approved ideas that have been passed down through the generations to crowd-pleasing fruitcakes, yule logs, and Bundts, you’ll want to bookmark this roundup of vintage Christmas cake recipes. You’ll come back to it all December long.

Tomato Soup Cake

Yoly

“Obsessing over fall flavors right now? So are we. But in a season overloaded with pumpkin-this and pumpkin-that, sometimes it’s nice to break from norm and appreciate an underdog ingredients: tomato soup.” —Annie Campbell

Grandma’s No-Bake Cheesecake

Tara C

“This is a quick and easy cheesecake recipe created by my grandmother and handed down through three generations. Each has put their own special touch on it, but the overall taste is the same. Blue Ribbon flavor for years of happy memories!” —Jennifer Horrace

Fresh Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

Kim

This absolutely stunning upside-down cake, served with homemade whipped cream, makes good use of fresh cranberries. It has a sweet-tart flavor that’s impossible to resist.

Old-Fashioned Pudding Cake

Meredith

“Served up warm from the oven, this nostalgic cake makes its own pudding-like sauce to warm souls and bellies, just like grandma intended.” —Amy Barnes

Buche de Noel

Meredith Food Studios

Channel your inner Great British Baking Show contestant with this classic (and gluten-free!) holiday Swiss roll. Keep it simple or get as creative as you want with nature-inspired edible accoutrements.

Grandma’s Kahlua Cake

Allrecipes

“My grandmother, who we called Omi, used to bake her famed Kahlúa cake for all her friends and relatives in Midland, Texas, and I would always look forward to a delightfully spongey slice when we came to visit. It wasn’t until making the recipe on my own that I realized why her kitchen cranked out so many of these cakes. Sure it’s homemade, but with not one, but two pre-made mixes involved, it feels almost like a hack.” —Annie Campbell

Figgy Pudding

This dense, moist cake has a secret ingredient: Fiori di Sicilia, an Italian orange-vanilla flavoring with floral notes. Recipe creator meghanmacrae says it’s the “perfect finale to a chestnut-stuffed, Christmas goose dinner.”

Black Forest Cake

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

“This recipe delivers a classic version of the original Black Forest cake with whipped cream frosting and sour cherries,” according to recipe creator Linda Greer.

Never Fail Applesauce Spice Cake

JeminiGessica

There’s nothing more classic than a traditional Christmas spice cake. This one-bowl applesauce recipe comes together quickly and easily, so it’s a fantastic last-minute dessert.

Mom’s Rum Cake

cookin’mama

This crowd-pleasing cake starts with convenient secret ingredients: a package of yellow cake mix and a package of instant vanilla pudding mix. “When [my mom] makes it, we all fight over it,” says recipe creator Laura.

Favorite Old-Fashioned Gingerbread

dotdash meredith food studios

Somewhere between a cake and a sweet bread, this old-fashioned recipe (which has more than 1,000 rave reviews from the Allrecipes community) is welcome on any holiday table.

Christmas Cherry Cake

Linda

This simple white fruitcake freezes well, according to recipe creator Carol, so it’s a great option for gifting or making ahead of time.

Old Fashioned Coconut Cake

Kim

Serve this snowy coconut layer cake at your next old-fashioned holiday gathering. A fluffy frosting brings the whole thing together.

Southern Red Velvet Cake

Meredith

“This is a delicious red velvet cake recipe that was taught to me by my grandmother,” says recipe creator FTWRTHDAVIS. “Made with a light and buttery frosting instead of the usual cream cheese.”

Sour Cream Pound Cake

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

A cup of sour cream adds richness and tangy flavor to this dense, grandma-approved pound cake. Top with powdered sugar for a festive snowy effect.

Italian Cream Cake

CHIBI CHEF

There are few things more decadent than a rich Italian cream cake with cream cheese icing. Finish it off with chopped pecans and coconut flakes.

Peppermint Chiffon Cake

Allrecipes

“Use cake flour and peppermint extract to deliver an oh-so-minty cake, perfect for Christmas-time entertaining,” according to recipe creator Lynn-Pgh.

Upside Down Pear Gingerbread Cake

coloradomaj

This fruity cake is full of festive flavor thanks to cozy ingredients like molasses, ginger, cinnamon, brown sugar, and cloves.

Stained Glass Gelatin Cake

Allrecipes

Here’s a show-stopping dessert that feels retro, but tastes timeless. Use red and green gelatin for a seasonal twist. “Cubes of Jell-O are suspended in a creamy vanilla-flavored gelatin, and then set in a jello mold to create a stained glass effect,” says recipe creator Rita.

Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake

Hanny Manny

This rich toffee pudding cake, packed with dates, is served warm with a decadent homemade caramel sauce.

Deep South Eggnog Cake

Photo by Doughgirl8.
Doughgirl8

“Nothing says Southern hospitality like this impressive cake,” recipe creator Baricat says of this rich, moist, and holiday-perfect dessert.

Lane Cake

Kim A. Labelle

This vintage Southern cake has a rich filling made with raisins, pecans, cherries, coconut, and brandy flavoring. It’s perfect for any special occasion.

Pangiallo laziale (Italian Christmas Cakes)

“Pangiallo is a traditional Italian Christmas cake, originally from Rome,” according to recipe creator lacucinadinadia. “Dried fruits and nuts are mixed with oil, wine, and flour to create a humble yet tasty treat that is vegan to boot!”