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Christmas Chaos Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 126 reviews

Christmas Chaos Cake is a festive layered dessert featuring a crunchy pecan base, moist white or yellow cake batter, and a creamy swirl of sweetened cream cheese combined with whole berry cranberry sauce. This delightful cake brings a perfect balance of nutty texture, rich cake, and a tangy, creamy cranberry topping, making it an ideal holiday treat for celebrations and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Base

  • 1 1/2 cups pecans, roughly chopped

Cake Batter

  • 1 (15.25 oz) box white or yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs

Cream Cheese Swirl

  • 3/4 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the cake.
  2. Prepare pecan base: Evenly spread the roughly chopped pecans across the bottom of the greased baking dish, which will create a nutty crunchy layer beneath the cake.
  3. Mix the cake batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Stir the ingredients together until the batter is smooth and well blended, ensuring there are no lumps.
  4. Pour batter over pecans: Carefully pour the cake batter over the layer of pecans spread in the baking dish, covering them evenly.
  5. Prepare cream cheese mixture: In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
  6. Add cranberry swirl: Scoop dollops of the cream cheese mixture and the whole berry cranberry sauce over the cake batter in the baking dish. Use a knife or skewer to lightly swirl these toppings into the batter, creating a marbled effect without mixing completely.
  7. Bake the cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully baked.
  8. Cool the cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the baking dish for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. This rest time helps the layers set and makes slicing easier.

Notes

  • You can use either white or yellow cake mix depending on your flavor preference.
  • For a nut-free option, omit pecans and lightly grease the baking dish instead.
  • The swirling technique should be gentle to maintain distinct layers of cream cheese and cranberry without fully blending.
  • Serve the cake slightly chilled or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Christmas cake, cranberry cake, cream cheese swirl, holiday dessert, pecan cake, festive dessert

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/christmas-chaos-cake-recipe/