Name: Elegant Christmas Cake with Whipped Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113g) butter, softened; 1 tsp McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract; 16 oz confectioners' sugar, sifted; 2 tbsp milk (2% or whole); Pinch salt

There’s something truly magical about the season when you slice into an Elegant Christmas Cake with Whipped Frosting Recipe. The fluffy whipped frosting paired with a tender cake makes this dessert feel like a festive hug on a plate—a perfect way to celebrate together. Let me show you why this cake deserves a spot on your holiday table this year.

The image shows a close-up of two stacked square cakes with three visible layers, each covered in chocolate. The bottom and top layers are bright red with a soft texture, the middle layer is white and creamy, and the layer below the chocolate coating on top is dark green with a similar soft texture. The chocolate coating is smooth but slightly melting on the sides. The cakes are set on a white marbled surface with a blurred background showing a white bottle with a narrow neck, likely milk. A larger chocolate-covered cake is visible in the background, out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Elegant Christmas Cake with Whipped Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Elegant Christmas Cake with Whipped Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Elegant Christmas Cake with Whipped Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this cake—it was so light and elegant compared to the dense fruitcakes we usually associate with Christmas. It feels fancy but is surprisingly easy to whip up, making it my go-to when I want to impress without stress.

Light & Fluffy Texture: The whipped frosting creates a melt-in-your-mouth experience that pairs beautifully with the tender cake.
Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything you need in your pantry and fridge.
Quick to Assemble: This recipe takes just 15 minutes of hands-on time—perfect for busy holiday prep.
Customizable & Versatile: You can easily tweak the frosting’s flavor or add seasonal touches to make it your own.

The image shows four small round cakes covered completely in smooth, thick dark brown chocolate frosting with slight swirls on top. Three cakes sit on a white cake stand, stacked close together, while one cake is placed alone on a square white plate in front. The background and surface are a white marbled texture. A clear glass bottle filled with milk is visible in the soft background. The cakes look moist and rich, with the frosting evenly spread over each one, giving them a glossy finish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in this Elegant Christmas Cake with Whipped Frosting Recipe. Butter lends richness, vanilla brings warmth, and confectioners’ sugar keeps the frosting smooth. Plus, a pinch of salt is the secret to balancing sweetness.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of softened pale yellow butter, a single whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white confectioners' sugar, a small white ceramic bowl containing creamy white milk, a small white ceramic bowl with a pinch of fine salt crystals, and a tiny white ceramic bowl holding clear pale golden vanilla extract, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Using softened butter creates a smooth and creamy base for whipping.
McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds authentic vanilla flavor, elevating the frosting’s aroma.
Confectioners' Sugar: Its fine texture helps achieve that silky frosting consistency.
Milk (2% or whole): A little milk thins the frosting just enough to make spreading feel like a breeze.
Pinch of Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances flavors perfectly.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Elegant Christmas Cake with Whipped Frosting Recipe is that it’s an open canvas. I often tweak the frosting by adding a hint of citrus zest or a splash of liqueur to make it feel extra special during the holidays—go ahead and get creative!

Variation: I love swapping vanilla for almond extract sometimes—it brings a lovely nutty note that's perfect with the whipped frosting.
Dairy-Free Adaptation: Using vegan butter and plant-based milk works beautifully, keeping the frosting creamy and airy.
Seasonal Touch: Adding ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the frosting is a quick way to make it feel even more festive.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Elegant Christmas Cake with Whipped Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Whip the Butter Until Cloud-Like

Start by beating the softened butter in your stand mixer on medium-high speed. I aim for about 3 minutes until it’s pale and fluffy—this is the foundation for that light texture. If you skip this step or rush it, the frosting can feel dense, so take your time!

Step 2: Slowly Add Sweetness and Moisture

Drop in the vanilla extract, then, with the mixer on low, gradually add your sifted confectioners’ sugar along with milk and just a pinch of salt. Scrape the sides of the bowl often—this helps everything blend evenly without lumps.

Step 3: Whip to Heavenly Heights

Once mixed, crank your mixer to medium-high or high speed for at least 3 minutes—sometimes I go for 7 minutes because I love how much lighter it gets. If it feels too thick to spread, add milk a little at a time. Your frosting should be billowy but spreadable.

Top Tip

My experience with this Elegant Christmas Cake with Whipped Frosting Recipe taught me that patience in whipping and using the right temperature for butter make a world of difference. Here are a few tricks I've picked up that helped me nail the perfect frosting every time.

Softened Butter: Let it sit on your counter for at least an hour before starting—if it's too cold, the frosting won't whip up well.
Slow Sugar Addition: Adding sugar gradually prevents a gritty texture and allows the frosting to become silky smooth.
Whip Longer: Don’t rush the final whipping step; it’s the key to making frosting light and fluffy.
Rewhip After Refrigeration: The frosting firms up in the fridge, so just give it a quick whip before frosting your cake again.

How to Serve Elegant Christmas Cake with Whipped Frosting Recipe

Elegant Christmas Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I typically top this cake with fresh cranberries and a few sprigs of rosemary for that festive flair. The tartness of cranberries contrasts beautifully with the sweet whipped frosting, and the greenery makes it feel so Christmassy.

Side Dishes

Pair slices of this cake with a cup of spiced tea or rich eggnog. I’ve also served it alongside simple vanilla ice cream, which adds an extra layer of indulgence without taking away the cake’s elegance.

Creative Ways to Present

For a show-stopping centerpiece, I’ve stacked mini cakes with this whipped frosting between layers and dusted the top with edible gold dust. It’s surprisingly easy and looks like you’ve spent hours crafting a masterpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover cake covered tightly in the fridge, and it stays fresh for up to 3 days. The whipped frosting holds up well, and I just let the cake sit at room temp for 10-15 minutes before eating to loosen it up.

Freezing

Freezing cakes with whipped frosting can be tricky, but I’ve had good results freezing the cake layers separately, then thawing and frosting fresh before serving. This keeps the texture intact and the frosting indulgently fluffy.

Reheating

Since this cake is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, I avoid reheating. Instead, I bring leftovers out of the fridge ahead of time to ensure the whipped frosting regains its softness and the cake doesn’t feel dense.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the whipped frosting vegan?

Absolutely! Replace the butter with a vegan butter substitute and use plant-based milk like almond or oat milk. Just make sure your vegan butter is soft enough to whip well.

How do I fix frosting that’s too thick?

If your frosting feels too stiff or hard to spread, add a little milk—just a teaspoon at a time—whipping it in until you reach the desired consistency.

Can I prepare the frosting ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the whipped frosting up to two weeks ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just bring it back to room temperature and whip it again before using to restore fluffiness.

What cake recipes work best with this frosting?

While this whipped frosting pairs beautifully with white or vanilla cakes, it also complements light sponge cakes and almond-flavored cakes especially well. I recommend using a tender cake base to highlight the frosting’s airy quality.

Final Thoughts

There’s something special about serving a dessert that looks stunning but feels effortless and tastes like a dream. This Elegant Christmas Cake with Whipped Frosting Recipe brings together simplicity and sophistication—perfect for making memories around the table. Give it a try this holiday season; I promise it will become one of your favorites too.