A Christmas cookie cake feels like the perfect mix of celebration and comfort, and it always brings me back to the kind of warm, bustling holiday kitchen most of us dream about. When you want a dessert that looks festive, tastes incredible, and doesn’t require baking multiple trays of cookies, this Christmas cookie cake delivers every time. In this article, we’ll explore how to make a soft, flavorful cookie cake, how to decorate it like the photos you shared, and the best ways to serve it during the holidays. Along the way, we’ll cover mix-ins, frostings, and make-ahead tips.
Table of Contents
Why Cookie Cake Became a Holiday Staple
Instead of juggling sheet pans, I discovered that baking one oversized cookie created less stress and more time to relax with friends. It sliced beautifully for parties, traveled well to potlucks, and made a perfect edible gift.
I also started experimenting with flavors inspired by other holiday treats. Sometimes I leaned into the warm spice of gingerbread cheesecake cookies, and other times I borrowed the vibrant color ideas from red velvet snowball cookies. These variations kept the holiday cookie cake exciting while still grounded in tradition. Ultimately, its ease, versatility, and nostalgia made it a staple in your kitchen every December.
Christmas Cookie Cake
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon or electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber Spatula
- 10-12 inch round metal pan or cast-iron skillet
- Piping bags and tips (optional for frosting)
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix-Ins
- 1 cup red and green M&M’s
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- ¼ cup holiday sprinkles
Frosting (Optional Decoration)
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Gel food coloring red and green
- Holiday sprinkles crushed peppermint, or extra M&M’s for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a round metal pan or cast-iron skillet.
- Stir together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Mix in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla until combined.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until the dough forms.
- Fold in M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 22–25 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden.
- Cool 20 minutes if you want clean slices; serve warm if preferred.
- For frosting, beat butter, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth.
- Divide into bowls, color with red and green gel, and pipe swirls around the edges.
- Add sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or more M&M’s before serving.
Notes
- Calories: 320
Carbs: 44g
Fat: 14g
Protein: 3g
Sugar: 30g
Mastering the Best Holiday Cookie Cake Base
Choosing the Right Dough for a Soft Holiday Cookie Cake
To build the perfect Holiday cookie cake, you need a dough that bakes up soft, thick, and rich with flavor. Most bakers choose between a classic chocolate chip cookie base and a sugar-cookie-style dough. Both work well, but the chocolate chip version often delivers a chewier center and those golden, slightly crisp edges everyone loves during the holidays.
To keep your holiday cookie cake tender, start with room-temperature butter. It creams smoothly with sugar and creates that irresistible soft-bake texture. I also recommend using a higher ratio of brown sugar than white sugar. The molasses in brown sugar adds moisture, flavor, and color, which is ideal for a festive cookie cake. A teaspoon of cornstarch helps the dough stay thick without becoming dense, and it prevents the center from drying out as it cools.
Temperature control matters more than many bakers realize. Bake between 325°F and 350°F, depending on your oven’s personality. A slightly lower temperature helps the cookie cake bake evenly, especially when using a cast-iron skillet or a thick metal pan. Always watch the edges; once they turn lightly golden, your Christmas cookie cake is ready.
Holiday Mix-Ins That Make a Cookie Cake Festive
Mix-ins bring color, crunch, and personality to your Christmas cookie cake. Try adding:
- Red and green M&M’s
- White chocolate chips
- Holiday sprinkles
- Crushed peppermint
- Chopped chocolate bars
- Festive mini marshmallows
To avoid overwhelming the dough:
- Fold mix-ins gently.
- Aim for 1 to 1½ cups total mix-ins per large cookie cake.
- Spread a few extras on top before baking for a brighter finish.
For flavor inspiration, I often pull ideas from other seasonal favorites like Christmas Chocolate Kiss Cookies or the warming spices found in Old Fashioned Iced Ginger Molasses Cookies . These recipes spark new holiday combinations while keeping your cookie cake perfectly balanced.
Easy Decorated Your Christmas Cookie Cake Like A Pro
Frosting Options for a Beautiful Christmas Cookie Cake
Decorating a Christmas cookie cake should feel fun, simple, and festive. The frosting sets the tone, so choosing the right one makes a big difference.
Two frostings work best for a holiday cookie cake:
1. Buttercream Frosting
- Smooth texture
- Easy to color
- Holds shape well for piping
- Mild sweetness that pairs with any flavor
2. Cream Cheese Frosting
- Slight tanginess
- Creamier finish
- Perfect for spice-forward mix-ins
- Softer but still pipeable when chilled
To match the style in my photos:
- Tint small bowls of frosting using red and green gel coloring.
- Start with one tiny drop of gel, then adjust until you reach rich Christmas tones.
- Avoid liquid dyes since they soften the frosting too much.
For picture-perfect piping:
- Use a large star tip to create rosettes and swirls around the cookie cake edge.
- Switch to a round tip for dots, clean borders, and simple lettering.
- Hold the piping bag at a slight angle.
- Apply steady pressure and lift gently for clean finishes.
- Chill the cake 10 minutes before piping if your kitchen runs warm.
These steps give your Christmas cookie cake that bakery-level décor seen in holiday displays.
Christmas-Themed Toppings
Once the frosting is in place, add toppings that match the style from your uploaded images. Great options include:
- Red and green sprinkles
- Holiday M&M’s
- Crushed candy canes
- White chocolate curls
- Edible glitter for shine
To style your cookie cake like the photos:
- Scatter M&M’s evenly across the top.
- Add crushed peppermint around the frosted edges.
- Finish with a handful of sprinkles for color and texture.
- Add a few chocolate accents inspired by recipes like Peanut Butter Cookies or Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies.
These simple steps create a Christmas cookie cake that looks as festive as it tastes.
Serving, Storing & Variations of Christmas Cookie Cake
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Cake Like a Pro
A Christmas cookie cake shines brightest when served with intention. Since this dessert slices like a soft, chewy pie, a few small tricks help you get clean, beautiful wedges every time.
For smooth slices:
- Allow the cookie cake to cool at least 20–30 minutes.
- Use a long, sharp knife and wipe it between each cut.
- For warm servings, heat the knife under hot water and dry it before slicing.
For the best presentation:
- Lift out the first slice gently using a pie server.
- Add a swirl of frosting or a small dollop of whipped cream for contrast.
- Pair slices with cold milk, hot cocoa, or vanilla ice cream for a complete holiday moment.
These small touches turn your Christmas cookie cake into a centerpiece dessert perfect for gatherings.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Flavor Variations
Preparing your holiday cookie cake ahead of time saves stress, especially during busy Christmas weeks. This dessert holds up beautifully, and you can plan each step without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Make-ahead options:
- Bake the cookie base 24 hours before serving.
- Wrap cooled cake tightly in plastic to maintain softness.
- Frost just before serving to keep colors vibrant.
Storage instructions:
- Keep leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days if using cream cheese frosting.
- Freeze the unfrosted cookie cake for up to 2 months; thaw before decorating.
Flavor variations to try:
- Add warm spices inspired by Maple Brown Sugar Cookies.
- Create a festive, chunky version using ideas from the Monster Cookie Cake .
- Try crushed ginger snaps, red velvet chips, or peppermint bark mix-ins.
- Use different frosting colors and piping styles for themed parties.
These variations keep your Christmas cookie cake fresh, creative, and exciting year after year.
FAQs
How do I keep a Christmas cookie cake soft?
You keep a Christmas cookie cake soft by using more brown sugar than white sugar, adding a small amount of cornstarch, and baking at a slightly lower temperature. These steps help the center stay tender without drying out. You also want to remove the cookie cake when the edges turn lightly golden, not dark brown. Once cooled, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly to lock in moisture. If the cake begins to firm up after a day or two, warm slices for 10 seconds in the microwave to restore softness instantly.
Can I make a Christmas cookie cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can make a Christmas cookie cake ahead of time, and it still tastes fresh. Bake the base one day before serving, allow it to cool fully, then wrap it tightly in plastic. This helps the cookie cake hold its texture and flavor. For the best look, frost and decorate it the day you plan to serve it. If you need to prep earlier, freeze the unfrosted cookie cake and thaw it at room temperature before adding toppings and frosting.
What frosting works best for a Christmas cookie cake?
Buttercream and cream cheese frosting both work beautifully for a Christmas cookie cake. Buttercream holds shape well, pipes clean details, and takes color easily, which makes it perfect for the red and green swirls you often see in holiday photos. Cream cheese frosting adds a tangy note that pairs well with warm spices, peppermint, or chocolate mix-ins. Chill either frosting for a few minutes to keep piping sturdy and clean, especially when decorating borders or lettering.
What mix-ins can I add to a Christmas cookie cake?
You can add almost anything festive to a Christmas cookie cake. Popular mix-ins include red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, crushed peppermint, toffee bits, sprinkles, and chopped chocolate bars. Keep your total mix-ins around 1 to 1½ cups so the dough stays balanced. For fun ideas, use inspiration from seasonal treats like peppermint bark or gingerbread cookies. Mixing different colors and textures gives your cookie cake a bright, cheerful look that feels perfectly holiday-ready.
A Christmas cookie cake brings together everything joyful about holiday baking: bold flavor, simple steps, and moments that feel warm and shared. Whether you decorate it with bright frosting swirls, festive mix-ins, or a sprinkle of crushed peppermint, this dessert always delivers that classic Christmas magic. I’ve made versions of this cake for parties, potlucks, and quiet nights at home, and it never fails to bring people closer around the table. With the right base, thoughtful toppings, and a little creativity, your Christmas cookie cake becomes more than a recipe, it becomes a tradition you’ll look forward to every year.
