25 Festive Cakes Perfect for December Entertaining

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The holiday season is the perfect excuse to get a little creative in the kitchen, and what better way to celebrate than with desserts that bring everyone together? These festive cakes bring warmth, sparkle, and a touch of magic to any December gathering. From rich chocolate layers to colorful, crowd-pleasing designs, each one is ideal for entertaining during the most wonderful time of the year. They’re the kind of treats that make celebrations feel extra special and memorable.

Festive Lemon Bundt Cake for Holiday Tables

slice of lemon bundt cake coming out of the cake.
Festive Lemon Bundt Cake for Holiday Tables. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Glazed and creamy, this lemon bundt cake steals the spotlight at December gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Festive Lemon Bundt Cake for Holiday Tables

Holiday Cream Cheese Coffee Cake to Impress Guests

A slice of coffee cake with a bite taken out.
Holiday Cream Cheese Coffee Cake to Impress Guests. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Buttery streusel and creamy layers make this coffee cake a festive morning favorite.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Cream Cheese Coffee Cake to Impress Guests

Classic Moravian Sugar Cake for Christmas Mornings

Squares of sugar cake next to cups of coffee.
Classic Moravian Sugar Cake for Christmas Mornings. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Golden, buttery, and cinnamon-kissed, this sugar cake is a December breakfast essential.
Get the Recipe: Classic Moravian Sugar Cake for Christmas Mornings

Blackberry Jam Cake for Holiday Dessert Tables

blackberry jam cake slice on a plate.
Blackberry Jam Cake for Holiday Dessert Tables. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Sweet and spiced, this blackberry jam cake is a must-have for festive gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Jam Cake for Holiday Dessert Tables

Blackberry Almond Loaf for December Entertaining

A close-up of a slice of moist blackberry loaf cake with white icing on top, showing a swirl of blackberries inside. Two fresh blackberries are on the plate beside the cake.
Blackberry Almond Loaf for December Entertaining. Photo credit: Spicy Southern Kitchen.

Swirled with almond glaze and berries, this loaf makes any holiday table feel special.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Almond Loaf for December Entertaining

Festive Coca-Cola Cake with Marshmallow Frosting

Festive Coca-Cola Cake with Marshmallow Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Rich chocolate and gooey marshmallow make this cake a showstopper for holiday celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Festive Coca-Cola Cake with Marshmallow Frosting

Hummingbird Cake for December Dessert Tables

hummingbird bundt cake.
Hummingbird Cake for December Dessert Tables. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Banana and pineapple combine for a Southern favorite that shines at holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Hummingbird Cake for December Dessert Tables

Grandma’s Caramel Cake for Festive Entertaining

An entire caramel cake sliced.
Grandma’s Caramel Cake for Festive Entertaining. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Rich caramel frosting and golden layers make this cake a holiday centerpiece.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Caramel Cake for Festive Entertaining

Holiday Cream Cheese Pound Cake Everyone Loves

Holiday Cream Cheese Pound Cake Everyone Loves. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Dense, buttery, and fragrant, this pound cake fills the room with festive holiday scents.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Cream Cheese Pound Cake Everyone Loves

Lemon Poppy Cake to Brighten Holiday Brunches

Lemon Poppy Cake to Brighten Holiday Brunches. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Tangy, moist, and glazed, this loaf brings cheer to any December gathering.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Poppy Cake to Brighten Holiday Brunches

Decadent Chocolate Cake for Festive Nights

A frosted chocolate layer cake next to a cake server.
Decadent Chocolate Cake for Festive Nights. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This rich chocolate layer cake with ganache is perfect for holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Chocolate Cake for Festive Nights

Festive Red Velvet Bundt for December Tables

Festive Red Velvet Bundt for December Tables. Photo credit: Mom Loves Baking.

Swirled red velvet bundt cake adds a touch of holiday magic to any December gathering.
Get the Recipe: Festive Red Velvet Bundt for December Tables

Lemon Poke Cake for Holiday Cheer

Lemon Poke Cake for Holiday Cheer. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Bright and tangy lemon poke cake perfect for sharing at festive holiday parties.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Poke Cake for Holiday Cheer

Sweet Potato Cake for Holiday Tables

A cream cheese frosted sweet potato cake on a cake platter.
Sweet Potato Cake for Holiday Tables. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Spiced sweet potato cake with creamy frosting brings warmth to December gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cake for Holiday Tables

Festive Butter Pecan Pound Cake

A butter pecan pound cake on a cake stand.
Festive Butter Pecan Pound Cake. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This buttery, nutty pound cake is ideal for holiday dessert tables in December.
Get the Recipe: Festive Butter Pecan Pound Cake

Classic Sock It To Me Cake for Holidays

sliced sock it to me cake on a black plate.
Classic Sock It To Me Cake for Holidays. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Cinnamon-streusel Sock It To Me Cake adds holiday charm to any festive gathering.
Get the Recipe: Classic Sock It To Me Cake for Holidays

Coconut Lemon Cake for Holiday Tables

A coconut cake on a cake stand next to a cake server.
Coconut Lemon Cake for Holiday Tables. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Layered coconut and lemon cake brings a tangy-sweet touch to festive celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Lemon Cake for Holiday Tables

Red Velvet Cake for Festive Gatherings

close up of red velvet cake slice.
Red Velvet Cake for Festive Gatherings. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Deep-red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting makes holiday celebrations extra special.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cake for Festive Gatherings

Confetti Cake for Sparkling Holiday Fun

confetti cake on a white cake stand sliced into pieces.
Confetti Cake for Sparkling Holiday Fun. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Colorful confetti cake adds joy and festive cheer to any December celebration.
Get the Recipe: Confetti Cake for Sparkling Holiday Fun

Cheerwine Bundt Cake for Festive Parties

Cheerwine Bundt Cake for Festive Parties. Photo credit: Spicy Southern Kitchen.

Soda-infused Cheerwine Bundt cake brings unique charm to December holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Cheerwine Bundt Cake for Festive Parties

Cranberry Layer Cake for December Tables

Top-down view of a sliced cranberry layer cake, decorated with sugared cranberries and rosemary, ready to serve.
Cranberry Layer Cake for December Tables. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This cranberry-orange cake is a festive centerpiece for holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Layer Cake for December Tables

Banana Cake for Cozy Holiday Moments

The top of a frosted cake with brown butter cream cheese frosting.
Banana Cake for Cozy Holiday Moments. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Moist banana cake with cream cheese frosting is a comforting treat for festive celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Banana Cake for Cozy Holiday Moments

Kentucky Butter Cake for Holiday Tables

A frosted butter cake on a plate.
Kentucky Butter Cake for Holiday Tables. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Buttery Kentucky cake brings a golden touch to every holiday dessert spread.
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Butter Cake for Holiday Tables

Heath Bar Cake for Festive December Desserts

piece of heath bar cake on a white plate with a fork taking a bite out of it.
Heath Bar Cake for Festive December Desserts. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Toffee-topped chocolate Heath Bar Cake is perfect for holiday celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Heath Bar Cake for Festive December Desserts

7 Up Cake That Sparkles for December Parties

A bundt cake with frosting and lime slices.
7 Up Cake That Sparkles for December Parties. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Zesty 7 Up bundt cake adds fizz and festive flair to holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: 7 Up Cake That Sparkles for December Parties

The 29 Retro Desserts Grandma Always Had Ready for Company

The 29 Retro Desserts Grandma Always Had Ready for Company. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Family get-togethers always felt a little brighter once grandma’s homemade desserts made their way to the table. Those retro recipes weren’t only about sweet flavors—they were about love, tradition, and the joy of sharing something special. Whether it was a pie, a custard, or a towering cake, each bite felt like a reminder of comfort and togetherness from simpler days.
Grab it here: The 29 Retro Desserts Grandma Always Had Ready for Company

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