Christmas Cookie Cake Recipe: The Ultimate Festive Dessert for the Holidays

The holidays aren’t just about decorations and wrapped presents. They’re about traditions—those warm, memorable moments that bring everyone closer. If you’re looking to start a new tradition this season, one that’s festive, delicious, and fun to make, this Christmas Cookie Cake is exactly what you need.

It’s more than just a cookie and definitely more than a cake. This recipe brings together the best of both worlds with soft, chewy cookie layers decorated to look like a holiday wreath. It’s a dessert that makes an impression, but is surprisingly simple to pull off, even if you’re not an experienced baker.

Whether you’re baking with kids, preparing for a Christmas party, or simply want a beautiful holiday dessert that people can’t stop talking about, this cookie cake delivers every time.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cookie Cake

A Holiday Dessert That’s Simple, Stunning, and Satisfying

You don’t need a professional kitchen or advanced baking skills to make this showstopper. Here’s why this Christmas Cookie Cake recipe has become a holiday favorite:

• Uses everyday pantry ingredients
• Bakes in under 25 minutes
• Soft and chewy in the center with golden edges
• Can be made ahead and decorated later
• Fun to customize with sprinkles and frosting colors
• Perfect centerpiece for your dessert table

If you’re tired of overcomplicated holiday bakes or store-bought cookies that fall flat, this recipe is your sweet solution.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Cookie Cake

Everything Required for the Cookie Base and Frosting

Gathering your ingredients in advance helps the process go smoothly. You likely have most of these on hand already.

For the Cookie Cake:

• ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:

• ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons milk
• Red and green gel food coloring
• Holiday sprinkles for decorating

How to Make the Perfect Christmas Cookie Cake

A Step-by-Step Process for Festive Success

You’ll be surprised at how simple this festive dessert is once you break it into steps.

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Bring your butter, egg, and milk to room temperature for better mixing. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line the bottom of a springform pan with parchment paper. There’s no need to grease the sides.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

Add the egg and vanilla and beat until fully incorporated.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture while mixing on low speed. Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.

Step 3: Bake the Cookie Cake

Press the dough into the prepared springform pan evenly. Bake on the center rack for 18 to 22 minutes. The edges should be set, while the center remains slightly soft.

For a beautifully golden top, broil the cake on high for just one minute. Watch it closely to avoid burning.

Let the cookie cake cool completely before decorating.

Step 4: Make the Buttercream Frosting

Beat the softened butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar in three parts, mixing until fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract and milk, then beat for another 3–4 minutes until light and creamy.

Step 5: Decorate the Wreath

Divide the frosting into three parts:

• ¼ cup for red holly berries
• Half for light green
• Half for darker green

Use gel food coloring to dye accordingly. Place both green shades side-by-side in the same piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe around the outer edge in a swirling pattern to mimic a wreath.

Use a small piping bag or plastic sandwich bag for the red frosting and dot holly berries around the wreath. Finish with holiday sprinkles to make it festive and personal.

Decorating Tips for a Professional Finish

Make Your Cookie Cake Look Bakery-Worthy

You don’t have to be a pastry chef to make this look amazing. These decorating tips help bring it all together:

• Use two green shades for a more dimensional, realistic wreath
• Spread frosting in side-by-side rows in the piping bag to blend the colors as you pipe
• Chill frosting for 10 minutes if it’s too soft
• Use a large star or French star tip for a beautiful wreath texture
• Be creative with holiday sprinkles—think snowflakes, Christmas trees, holly, or stars

This decorating process is easy enough for kids to help but polished enough to impress guests.

Nutritional Information

Here’s What You’re Serving

While this is definitely a treat, knowing what’s in each slice helps you serve with confidence. Based on a 10-slice serving:

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 645
• Sugar: 61g
• Sodium: 275mg
• Fat: 33g
• Saturated Fat: 22g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 85g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 90mg

For a lighter option, you can reduce frosting or make smaller slices—but let’s be honest, it’s the holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Cookie Cake

Make This Christmas Cookie Cake Part of Your Holiday Tradition

This Christmas Cookie Cake is more than just a holiday dessert—it’s a fun, creative, and heartwarming project that brings joy from the moment you start mixing the dough to the final swirl of frosting. It’s festive, flavorful, and easy to personalize, making it a go-to recipe for parties, gatherings, or simply celebrating at home.

You don’t need fancy tools or complex ingredients. Just a little time, some colorful sprinkles, and a love for baking. Whether it’s your first time making a cookie cake or your tenth, this wreath-shaped delight is sure to steal the spotlight on any dessert table.

So now it’s your turn—gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and bring a new tradition into your holiday season. Bake it once, and you’ll be asked for it every year.

Ready to make your Christmas sweeter? Get baking, and let your kitchen be filled with the warmth of butter, sugar, and the joy of the season.

More Tasty Ideas

• Peppermint Oreo Balls: A no-bake holiday treat with peppermint crunch and chocolatey goodness, perfect for cookie lovers looking to expand their dessert table.
• Christmas Eve Snack Mix: Sweet, salty, and festive—this colorful snack mix complements a cookie cake beautifully during holiday celebrations.
• Eggnog Bread with Glaze: A cozy, spiced loaf with a sweet glaze that makes a wonderful holiday dessert alternative or companion to a cookie cake.

Christmas Cookie Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

A festive holiday cookie cake shaped like a wreath, featuring a soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie base topped with colorful vanilla buttercream frosting and sprinkles. Perfect for Christmas parties and gatherings.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 10 servings
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened, for frosting)
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 3 tablespoons milk
• Red and green gel food coloring
• Holiday sprinkles for decorating

Instructions

1. Bring butter, egg, and milk to room temperature and preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy.
3. Add egg and vanilla, mixing well to incorporate.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed.
6. Fold in chocolate chips.
7. Press dough evenly into a parchment-lined springform pan.
8. Bake for 18–22 minutes until edges are golden and center is soft.
9. Broil for 1 minute on high to brown the top lightly, then remove and cool completely.
10. For frosting, beat softened butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar in batches, mixing well.
11. Mix in vanilla and milk, then beat for 3–4 minutes until fluffy.
12. Divide frosting: 1/4 cup for red berries, half for light green, half for dark green.
13. Dye frostings with gel food coloring and place green portions in the same piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
14. Pipe green frosting in a wreath pattern around the cookie edge.
15. Use red frosting to pipe small berries onto the wreath and decorate with sprinkles.

Notes

• For a more realistic wreath look, use two shades of green frosting.
• Chill frosting briefly if it’s too soft to pipe.
• You can bake the cookie a day ahead and decorate the next day.
• Use a 9-inch cake pan if you don’t have a springform pan.