10 Christmas cakes so popular our editors bake them year after year

“Every Christmas, my mother and I bake Southern Living’s Italian Cream Pie recipe as an ode to my Italian grandmother and our lifelong love Life in the South Recipes.” – Mary Shannon Hodes, digital editor

“It may not seem like an obvious choice for the holidays, but if you’re looking for an unforgettably sweet dessert to serve this year, our classic Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake is the way to go.” – Betsy Watson, Senior Homes Editor

“Even though this cake is made from box mix, it is still impressive and special enough to be at my family’s Christmas gathering every year. The first time you bake it, everyone will ask for the recipe.” – Jenna Sims, senior digital editor

“I love a fun baking project when I’m home for Christmas. This cake has been in our family for years and no holiday celebration is complete without it!” -Ivy Odom, senior lifestyle editor

“We always bake a festive cranberry cake as a snack on Christmas morning while we prepare brunch. It can also be used as a morning coffee cake and dessert later on!” – Kaitlyn Sadik, Editor

“Chocolate is the way to my heart – and the same goes for many of my sweet family members. I always bake a flourless chocolate cake for our Christmas Eve dinner. Although I love a flourless chocolate cake even though it doesn’t contain gluten, it’s perfect for my family because we often have a gluten-free eater in the mix, which is easy with this naturally flourless recipe.” – Cameron Beall, Associate Homes Editor

“Yes, technically it’s a ‘birthday cake’, but making a chocolate cake for the New Year is a real challenge and always delights my friends and family. Coffee and instant espresso really intensify the chocolate flavor and there is a very gentle bitterness and sweetness in this cake – from the frosting to the crumb, I tried it in every round of testing I could and now I have it myself so many times made to feel natural. It suits my taste and I can easily personalize the decorations.” – Catherine Jessee, deputy food editor

“I’m really not a big baker, but my parents are both big coffee cake fans, so I think I should try my best to bake our cinnamon coffee cake this year. Seems like the perfect accompaniment to a hot cup of tea.” After dinner, have leftovers for breakfast in the morning. -Tara McCay, senior travel and culture editor

“I love ending Christmas dinner with a rich, intensely chocolaty dessert. This cake is exactly that and it’s deceptively easy to make – the whole thing comes together in one bowl. Plus, you can dress it up in so many ways: caramel sauce, whipped cream, hot fudge, fresh berries, ice cream, and the list goes on. – Lisa Cericola, deputy editor

“Our snow vanilla cake is one of my favorite cakes to bake any time of the year. Depending on the occasion, I adjust the piping or embellishment, but the original all-white holiday petals are always a hit.” – Katie Rousso, deputy editorial director