Christmas Cakes and Cupcakes That'll Make You Ignore the Cookies

Show up at a holiday gathering with a batch of festive cupcakes or a gorgeous Christmas cake that might just overshadow that table full of cookies.

By: Sara Levine

BUCHE DE NOEL Food Network Eggs, Sugar, Unsalted Butter, Instant Espresso, Rum, Chocolate Genoise Sheet, Almond Paste, Confectionersâ Sugar, Light Corn Syrup, Egg Yolks, Salt, Cake Flour, Cornstarch, Alkalized Cocoa

We go crazy for Christmas cookies like the rest of you (check out our 12 Days of Cookies countdown), but they’re not the only reason to preheat your oven this season. Show up at a holiday gathering with a batch of festive cupcakes or a gorgeous Christmas cake that might just overshadow that table full of cookies.

Bûche de Noël

Go classic with a holiday showstopper, the traditional French bûche de Noël, or yule log cake. Rich chocolate genoise (sponge cake) is rolled in a coffee- and brandy-flavored buttercream, then decorated with marzipan berries, pinecones and mushrooms. The look of awe on your guests' faces will be well worth the effort.

Cupcake Christmas Tree

Transform basic chocolate cupcakes into a stunning centerpiece for your Christmas dessert spread by generously coating the frosted tops with green sprinkles or jimmies and fastening them onto a Styrofoam cone using toothpicks. Dessert and decor in one!

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Chef Name: Food Network Kitchen Full Recipe Name: Gingerbread Cupcakes with Orange Icing Talent Recipe: FNK Recipe: Food Networks Kitchenâs Gingerbread Cupcakes with Orange Icing, as seen on Foodnetwork.com Project: Foodnetwork.com, FN Essentials/Weeknights/Fall/Holidays Show Name: Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network

Gingerbread Cupcakes with Orange Icing

Ina Garten prepares the batter for her gingerbread cupcakes by combining flour, spices, molasses, melted butter and rum-soaked raisins. The sweet-tart orange icing balances the holiday-spiced cake.

FNK MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE XMAS TREES Food Network Kitchen Food Network Sugar, AllPurpose Flour, Cocoa Powder, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt, Eggs, Milk, Vegetable Oil, Vanilla Extract, Semisweet Chocolate, White Chocolate, Red and Green Mini Candy Covered Chocolates, Silver Dragee

Moist Chocolate Cake Christmas Trees

Cone-shaped paper cups that you can find in your local drugstore are the key to pulling off these moist chocolate Christmas trees. Once they've cooled, decorate the cakes with melted chocolate and festive red, green and silver candies.

HOLIDAY CUPCAKES Sandra Lee SemiHomemade Cooking/Merry Munchies Christmas Food Network Box White Cake Mix, Peppermint Extract, White Cranberry Juice, White Icing, Royal Icing, Blue Colored Candy Canes, Marshmallows, Pretzels, Cake Decorating Dots, Orange Jelly Slices, Yogurt Covered Pretzels, Blue Candy Covered Chocolates or Blue Jelly Beans, Fruit RollUps, Red Gum Drops, Eggs, Lemon Juice, Confectionersâ Sugar, Food Coloring,HOLIDAY CUPCAKES Sandra Lee SemiHomemade Cooking/Merry Munchies Christmas Food Network Box White Cake Mix, Peppermint Extract, White Cranberry Juice, White Icing, Royal Icing, Blue Colored Candy Canes, Marshmallows, Pretzels, Cake Decorating Dots, Orange Jelly Slices, Yogurt Covered Pretzels, Blue Candy Covered Chocolates or Blue Jelly Beans, Fruit RollUps, Red Gum Drops, Eggs, Lemon Juice, Confectioners’ Sugar, Food Coloring

Holiday Cupcakes

For a sweet and celebratory Christmas treat, top peppermint-cranberry cupcakes with white icing and colorful candies. Even the kids can follow easy steps to create festive Santa and reindeer toppers using marshmallows, pretzel sticks, jelly beans and more.