Ugly Sweater Cake Recipe

If you’re anything like me, holiday baking is all about having fun and making treats that bring smiles – and believe me, this Ugly Sweater Cake Recipe ticks all those boxes! I absolutely love how this cake lets you get creative, mess around with decorations, and still end up with something downright delicious. Whether you’re hosting a festive party or just want to wow your family with a playful dessert, this recipe makes it super approachable and, honestly, pretty addictive. Stick with me and I’ll walk you through every step so your ugly sweater cake not only looks adorable but tastes fantastic too!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients for this Ugly Sweater Cake Recipe come together to make a moist, tasty cake that’s a great blank canvas for colorful decorations. Whether you hit the holiday aisle for pre-made frosting or grab some candy you love, everything works well to create that cozy, festive vibe.

• Yellow cake mix: I usually go with a trusted brand that bakes evenly and tastes homemade, but feel free to substitute your favorite from scratch recipe if you’re feeling ambitious.
• Red holiday frosting: Pillsbury’s canned version works great — it spreads smoothly and has a lovely color that really screams “festive sweater.”
• White icing tube: Essential for piping the sweater details, stripes, and “knitting” patterns – I find the white contrasts so nicely with the red.
• Candy decorations: Think M&M’s for buttons, sprinkles, or any fun edible extras you want to get creative with!

Variations

I love how flexible this Ugly Sweater Cake Recipe is — you can really personalize it to suit your taste or even switch things up depending on the crowd you’re baking for. Play around with the flavors or decorations to really make it your own.

• From-scratch cake: I once swapped the boxed mix for my favorite vanilla cake recipe, and it made the cake feel super homemade without losing that playful vibe.
• Chocolate lover’s version: Swap the yellow mix for chocolate cake and go with cream cheese frosting tinted red instead – my family went crazy for that!
• Dairy-free adaptation: Use a dairy-free cake mix and vegan frosting to make sure all guests can indulge without worry.
• Seasonal themes: Besides the classic ugly sweater look, you can decorate for any holiday by changing the colors and candies – think Halloween or Easter versions.

How to Make Ugly Sweater Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Bake Your Cake

Start by lining a 13×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper—it saves you from tricky cleanups and helps the cake come out perfectly intact. Prepare your yellow cake mix just like the box says (don’t forget the eggs, oil, and water if listed!). Smell that vanilla? That’s a good sign you’re on the right track. Pop it in the oven and bake according to package directions, usually about 24 minutes. Then, set it aside to cool completely—cool cake holds frosting better and prevents melting messes later.

Step 2: Get Your Cake Ready for Fun Decorating

Once the cake has cooled, I like to gently loosen the edges with a knife before sliding it out—using the parchment makes this a breeze. Transfer the cake onto your serving plate or a big cutting board. This is where the magic begins!

Step 3: Smooth On the Festive Red Frosting

Spread the holiday red frosting all over your cake, top and sides, using a flat spatula or butter knife. The smooth base makes the white piping pop beautifully later. Take your time here—it’s your “canvas,” so if you mess up, just scrape and smooth again. It’s worth it to get that even layer down!

Step 4: Pipe Your Sweater Design & Add Decorations

This is my favorite part—you get to channel your inner holiday artist! I grab a white icing tube and start piping stripes, zigzags, and “knitting” details that give that cozy sweater vibe. Use M&M’s for cute button accents and don’t be shy with sprinkles or seasonal candies. Remember, it’s an ugly sweater cake, so have fun—quirky and imperfect is where the charm lives!

How to Serve Ugly Sweater Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple but fun—adding a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top gives a little frosty effect, and extra candies around the plate amps up the festive vibe. Fresh cranberries or a small sprig of rosemary on the side can add a charming holiday touch without competing with the cake.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or a steaming mug of coffee, especially if your guests want a sweet snack rather than a full dessert. For holiday brunches, I love serving it alongside fresh fruit or whipped cream for a lighter contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For my holiday parties, I’ve stacked mini ugly sweater cupcakes around the main cake to create a festive cake tower—it’s always a conversation starter! You can also place it on a fun platter decorated with edible glitter or sprinkle some crushed candy canes around for a peppermint twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After my family’s had their fill, I store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature; this keeps it fresh for about a week. If you’re not planning to eat it right away, make sure to keep it away from heat or direct sunlight so the frosting stays intact.

Freezing

I’ve frozen ugly sweater cake slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in freezer bags. When you thaw them in the fridge overnight, the texture holds up nicely, and you can frost or decorate again if the piping lost some magic.

Reheating

Since cake is best enjoyed cold or room temp, I usually avoid reheating, but if you want a warm bite, pop a slice in the microwave for about 10 seconds. It revives softness without melting the frosting too much.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Ugly Sweater Cake Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking lineup because it’s as joyful to make as it is to eat. I love seeing the smiles when people realize it looks homemade but has that quirky, playful flair we all adore this season. If you try it out, take your time decorating and make it uniquely yours — that’s the best part! Trust me, once you’ve nailed this, it’ll become a go-to dessert that gets talked about every holiday and beyond.

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