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Christmas Crunch Cake

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This Christmas Crunch Cake is a festive, sweet, and crunchy holiday dessert that combines a moist cake base with a crispy, buttery topping! It’s the perfect mix of soft and crunchy textures, making it an irresistible treat for Christmas parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Festively delicious – A moist cake with a crispy, caramelized crunch.
  • Super easy to make – Uses a cake mix base for convenience.
  • Perfect for holiday gatherings – A crowd-pleasing Christmas dessert.
  • Customizable – Add nuts, sprinkles, or flavored extracts!
  • Crunchy & soft – A delightful mix of textures in every bite.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Cake:

  • 1 box vanilla or yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup milk
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Crunch Topping:

  • 1 cup crushed cornflakes or Rice Krispies
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (for a warm holiday flavor)

For Decorating:

  • Powdered sugar (for a snowy effect)
  • Red & green sprinkles
  • White chocolate drizzle (optional)

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large bowl, mix cake mix, milk, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Crunch Topping

  1. In a bowl, mix crushed cornflakes, brown sugar, chopped nuts, cinnamon, and melted butter.
  2. Sprinkle evenly over the cake batter.

Step 3: Bake the Cake

  1. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  2. Let cool slightly before adding decorations.

Step 4: Decorate & Serve

  1. Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy look.
  2. Drizzle with white chocolate and top with Christmas sprinkles.
  3. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature!

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 12-15
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Total Time: 40-45 minutes

Variations

  • Chocolate Christmas Crunch Cake – Use chocolate cake mix instead.
  • Peppermint Crunch Cake – Add crushed candy canes to the topping.
  • Caramel Crunch Cake – Drizzle with warm caramel sauce.
  • Nut-Free Version – Skip the nuts and use extra cereal for crunch.
  • Gluten-Free Version – Use gluten-free cake mix.

Storage & Reheating

  • Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before serving.

FAQs

Can I use homemade cake batter instead of a mix?

Yes! Just use a basic vanilla or butter cake recipe.

What’s the best way to make this extra crunchy?

Use extra crushed cereal and a bit more butter in the topping.

Can I add fruit to this cake?

Yes! Try adding cranberries or chopped apples for extra holiday flavor.

How do I make this cake more festive?

Use red and green sprinkles, white chocolate drizzle, or crushed candy canes.

Can I use different cereals for the crunch?

Yes! Rice Krispies, cornflakes, or crushed graham crackers all work well.

How do I prevent the topping from getting soggy?

Bake the cake uncovered and let it cool before covering for storage.

Can I make this cake in advance?

Yes! Bake up to 2 days ahead and store covered.

Can I turn this into cupcakes?

Yes! Just adjust the bake time to 18-22 minutes.

What’s the best frosting for this cake?

It’s delicious as-is, but you can use cream cheese frosting or a white chocolate glaze.

Can I serve this cake warm?

Absolutely! It’s delicious warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Conclusion

This Christmas Crunch Cake is a festive, crunchy, and incredibly delicious holiday dessert that’s easy to make and full of flavor. Whether served at Christmas parties, holiday dinners, or as a cozy family treat, it’s sure to be a seasonal favorite. Try it today and bring some holiday magic to your table!

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Christmas Crunch Cake

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This Christmas Crunch Cake is a festive dessert loaded with holiday cheer. It features layers of moist cake, crunchy toppings, and a sweet glaze, making it the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table. Easy to customize with your favorite holiday sprinkles and toppings, this cake is a showstopper!

  • Author: Beth
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12–16 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the cake:

  • 2 1/2 cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 3/4 cups (350 g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup (85 g) crushed candy canes or peppermint candies (optional)

For the topping:

  • 1 cup (90 g) rice cereal (e.g., Rice Krispies)
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) holiday sprinkles
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) crushed pretzels
  • 1/2 cup (85 g) white chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) melted butter
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar

For the glaze (optional):

  • 1 cup (125 g) powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare the cake

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch cake pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  6. Fold in the crushed candy canes or peppermint candies, if using.

2. Bake the cake

  1. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
  2. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  3. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.

3. Prepare the crunchy topping

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the rice cereal, holiday sprinkles, crushed pretzels, and white chocolate chips.
  2. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat until bubbly. Pour the mixture over the cereal mixture and toss to coat.

4. Assemble the cake

  1. Once the cake has cooled, sprinkle the crunchy topping evenly over the surface of the cake.

5. (Optional) Drizzle with glaze

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the crunchy topping for extra sweetness.

6. Serve

  • Slice and serve this festive cake at your holiday gatherings. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee.

Notes

  • Make-Ahead: Bake the cake a day ahead, but add the crunchy topping just before serving to maintain its crispiness.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • Variations: Use caramel bits, toffee pieces, or chocolate chips in the topping for a fun twist.

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