Festive Mini Cakes with Ganache for Your Christmas Dessert Table

Christmas is a time for joy, laughter, and, of course, delicious treats. These Mini Desserts Christmas are perfect for your festive dessert table, bringing a delightful twist to traditional cakes. I remember one holiday season when my son, Jake, insisted on helping me bake. Let’s just say, we ended up with more flour on the floor than in the bowl, but we had a blast! Now, let’s dive into these charming mini layer cakes topped with rich ganache.

Why You’ll Love It

• They’re cute and perfect for sharing.
• You can customize them with your favorite flavors.
• They look impressive but are easy to make.

Pure Comfort

These mini cakes are not just a treat for the eyes but also for the taste buds. The combination of fluffy cake and silky ganache is pure bliss, making them a must-have for any Christmas gathering.

What You Need

• 1.5 cups 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (180 g) – Sifted for lightness.
• 1 cup 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g) – You can use brown sugar for a richer flavor.
• 1/2 cup 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113 g) – Substitute with coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
• 2 2 large eggs – Room temperature for better mixing.
• 1 tsp 1 tsp vanilla extract – Use almond extract for a different flavor.
• 1/2 cup 1/2 cup milk (120 ml) – Almond milk works well too.
• 1 cup 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml) – For the ganache; can substitute with coconut cream.
• 8 oz 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped – Dark chocolate can be used for a richer taste.

Time to Cook

Prep: 30 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes | Total: 50 minutes | Difficulty: Easy | Make-Ahead: Yes, these can be made a day in advance.

Steps to Make It

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a mini cake pan. This ensures the cakes come out easily, so don’t skip this step.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks pale and airy, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The batter should be smooth and slightly glossy; this is key for a tender cake.
4. Stir in the vanilla extract and milk until fully combined. The batter will be a bit thick, but that’s just perfect for our mini cakes.
5. Gradually add the sifted flour and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. This will keep your cakes light and fluffy.
6. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared mini cake pan. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cakes should be lightly golden on top.
7. While the cakes cool, make the ganache. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just begins to simmer, then pour it over the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for a few minutes, then stir until smooth and shiny.
8. Once the cakes are completely cool, carefully remove them from the pan. Drizzle the ganache over each mini cake, letting it cascade down the sides for a beautiful effect.
9. Serve these delightful mini desserts on a festive platter and watch them disappear! They’re best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container.

Make It Perfect

• Use a serrated knife to level off the tops of the cakes for a neat finish.
• If you want to add a festive touch, sprinkle some crushed peppermint on top of the ganache.
• Make sure the ganache cools slightly before pouring; this will help it set nicely.

Mix It Up

• Try different flavored extracts like peppermint or orange for a seasonal twist.
• Add a layer of fruit preserves between the cake layers for extra flavor.

Perfect Partners

• Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Pair with a hot cup of cocoa or spiced cider.

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FAQs

Conclusion

These Mini Desserts Christmas are sure to impress your family and friends at your holiday gatherings. With their charming appearance and delicious taste, they’ll be a hit on your Christmas dessert table. Enjoy making these delightful treats, and remember, the best part is sharing them with loved ones!

Mini Desserts Christmas

These festive mini Christmas cakes with ganache are perfect for your holiday dessert table. They are easy to make, customizable, and sure to impress family and friends with their delightful flavor and charming appearance.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Equipment

• mini cake pan
• large mixing bowl
• Saucepan

Ingredients

  

Cake Batter Ingredients

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour Sifted for lightness
• 1 cup granulated sugar You can use brown sugar for a richer flavor
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened; substitute with coconut oil for dairy-free option
• 2 large eggs Room temperature for better mixing
• 1 tsp vanilla extract Use almond extract for a different flavor
• 1/2 cup milk Almond milk works well too

Ganache Ingredients

• 1 cup heavy cream For the ganache; can substitute with coconut cream
• 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chopped; dark chocolate can be used for a richer taste

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a mini cake pan. This ensures the cakes come out easily, so don’t skip this step.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks pale and airy, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The batter should be smooth and slightly glossy; this is key for a tender cake.
• Stir in the vanilla extract and milk until fully combined. The batter will be a bit thick, but that’s just perfect for our mini cakes.
• Gradually add the sifted flour and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. This will keep your cakes light and fluffy.
• Pour the batter evenly into the prepared mini cake pan. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cakes should be lightly golden on top.
• While the cakes cool, make the ganache. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just begins to simmer, then pour it over the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for a few minutes, then stir until smooth and shiny.
• Once the cakes are completely cool, carefully remove them from the pan. Drizzle the ganache over each mini cake, letting it cascade down the sides for a beautiful effect.
• Serve these delightful mini desserts on a festive platter and watch them disappear! They’re best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container.

Notes

These cakes can be made a day in advance and stored wrapped in plastic wrap. Leftovers keep up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. You can freeze them wrapped tightly for up to a month. Decorate with fresh berries, edible glitter, or festive sprinkles. Use a serrated knife to level the tops and sprinkle crushed peppermint for a festive touch. Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream for dairy-free option.

Keyword Christmas, easy, festive, ganache, holiday dessert, mini cakes