Description
Berry Merry Christmas Cake is a festive and vibrant holiday dessert filled with fresh berries and topped with a light, whipped cream frosting. Perfect for the Christmas season, this cake combines the sweetness of berries with a soft, fluffy cake base, making it a stunning and delicious centerpiece for any holiday table.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
For the Whipped Cream Frosting:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Berry Filling and Topping:
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk and sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Bake the Cake:
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Whipped Cream Frosting:
- In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a thin layer of whipped cream frosting over the top, then layer with a handful of fresh berries.
- Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining whipped cream.
- Decorate the top with more fresh berries and garnish with mint leaves if desired.
- Optional: Sweeten the Berries:
- In a small bowl, drizzle the berries with honey or maple syrup and toss gently to coat. This step is optional, but it adds a lovely sweetness to the berries.
- Chill and Serve:
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the frosting to set. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute the fresh berries with a mixed berry compote if fresh berries are not available.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute the heavy cream and sour cream with coconut cream and a dairy-free yogurt.
- Store the cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This cake can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American