Christmas is a time for celebration, and what better way to celebrate than with a scrumptious cake that is easy to make and perfect for sharing? Loaf cakes are a classic dessert that can be dressed up in festive flavors and decorations for the holiday season. In this blog post, we’ve compiled some of our favorite Christmas loaf cake recipes that are sure to bring joy to your taste buds and your loved ones this holiday season. So, let’s get baking!
Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipes, let’s take a quick look at the ingredients you’ll need to have on hand:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Butter
- Eggs
- Granulated sugar
- Milk
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Assorted nuts (optional)
- Dried fruits (optional)
- Spices (optional)
Instructions
Cranberry Orange Loaf Cake
This festive and flavorful loaf cake is perfect for Christmas morning or as a dessert after your holiday meal. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, roughly chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the milk and vanilla extract.
- Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in the orange zest and chopped cranberries.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Chocolate Gingerbread Loaf Cake
If you’re a fan of both chocolate and gingerbread, this loaf cake is the perfect way to indulge in both flavors at once. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the molasses, followed by the eggs, one at a time.
- Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk, until just combined. Stir in the vanilla extract and chopped chocolate.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional information for one serving of each of our Christmas loaf cake recipes:
Cranberry Orange Loaf Cake
- Calories: 290
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 68mg
- Sodium: 208mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 43g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 27g
- Protein: 4g
Chocolate Gingerbread Loaf Cake
- Calories: 389
- Total Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sodium: 329mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 54g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 30g
- Protein: 6g
Cooking Time
Both of these Christmas loaf cake recipes take about 50-60 minutes to bake, plus an additional 10 minutes for cooling in the pan. Plan accordingly so that your cake is ready in time for your holiday celebration!
Equipment
To make these Christmas loaf cake recipes, you’ll need the following equipment:
- 9×5 inch loaf pan
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Electric mixer (optional)
- Spatula
- Toothpick
- Wire rack
Serving Suggestions
These Christmas loaf cakes are perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season. Serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat. You can also slice them up and package them in festive wrapping for a thoughtful homemade gift.
Variations
Here are some variations you can try with these Christmas loaf cake recipes:
- Substitute different fruits or nuts to customize the flavor of your cake.
- Add additional spices, like nutmeg or allspice, for extra warmth and flavor.
- Use different types of chocolate, like white or milk chocolate, in the Chocolate Gingerbread Loaf Cake recipe.
- Top your loaf cakes with a glaze or frosting for an extra special touch.
Substitutions
If you don’t have all of the ingredients on hand, here are some substitutions you can make:
- Substitute buttermilk or sour cream for the milk in the Cranberry Orange Loaf Cake recipe for a tangier flavor.
- Substitute honey for the molasses in the Chocolate Gingerbread Loaf Cake recipe for a sweeter flavor.
- Use vegetable oil instead of butter if you don’t have it on hand.
- Substitute other fruits or nuts for the cranberries in the Cranberry Orange Loaf Cake recipe.
Storage
Store your Christmas loaf cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer