Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings
Are you looking for a show-stopping dessert to impress family and friends this holiday season? Look no further than these adorable Mini Christmas Drip Cakes! These delightful treats feature moist cake layers, rich chocolate ganache, and a sprinkle of festive toppings. Perfect for any holiday gathering, these mini cakes are a sweet way to celebrate the joy of Christmas.
Why make this recipe?
These Mini Christmas Drip Cakes are not only beautiful to look at but also delicious to eat! They’re easy to customize with your favorite festive toppings, making them perfect for family traditions or holiday parties. Plus, they’re portioned perfectly for individual servings, so everyone can indulge without feeling guilty. 🎄🍰
How to prepare Mini Christmas Drip Cakes
Ingredients:
- 150 g all-purpose flour 🌾
- 100 g sugar 🍬
- 2 large eggs 🥚🥚
- 80 g unsalted butter (softened) 🧈
- 60 ml milk 🥛
- 1 tsp vanilla extract 🍦
- 1 tsp baking powder 💡
- Pinch of salt 🧂
- 250 ml heavy cream (cold) 🥛
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar 🍚
- 1 tsp vanilla extract 🍦
- 120 g dark chocolate (chopped) 🍫
- 100 ml heavy cream 🥛
- 1 tsp butter (optional, for shine) 🧈
- Fresh cranberries (or red berries) 🍒
- Gold sugar pearls or edible gold dust ✨
- Cinnamon sticks 🌿
- Small sprigs of rosemary or pine (food-safe) 🌲
- Powdered sugar (for snow effect) ❄️
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and flour mini cake pans.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the milk and vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared mini cake pans. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool entirely on a wire rack.
- For the chocolate ganache, heat 100 ml of heavy cream in a saucepan until it just begins to simmer. Pour it over the chopped dark chocolate in a bowl and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Stir until smooth. If you’d like a shinier ganache, add the butter and stir until melted. Let it cool slightly until it thickens.
- Whip the cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Once the cakes have cooled, layer them by stacking two mini cakes on top of each other. Drizzle the ganache over the top so it drips down the sides. Top with whipped cream and decorate with fresh cranberries, gold sugar pearls, cinnamon sticks, and rosemary or pine sprigs.
- Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy touch. ❄️
How to serve Mini Christmas Drip Cakes
Serve these charming mini cakes on a festive platter, garnished with extra toppings for a beautiful display. Offer alongside hot cocoa or coffee for a delightful holiday treat! ☕
How to store Mini Christmas Drip Cakes
Store any leftover mini cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you’ve already decorated them, it’s best to consume them within 2 days for the freshest taste.
Tips for preparing Mini Christmas Drip Cakes
- Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for better mixing.
- Let the ganache cool before drizzling it on the cakes to achieve the perfect drip effect!
- Experiment with your favorite toppings to personalize your mini cakes.
Variations
- Use white chocolate for a different flavor and look by replacing dark chocolate.
- Add spices such as nutmeg or ginger to the cake batter for an extra holiday kick.
- Swap out the fresh cranberries for other festive fruits like pomegranate seeds or cherries.
FAQs
1. Can I make the cakes ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake the cakes a day in advance and store them in an airtight container. Decorate them on the day of serving for the freshest look.
2. What if I don’t have mini cake pans?
You can bake the batter in a regular cake pan and then cut out circles using a cookie cutter once it’s cooled.
3. Can I freeze the mini cakes?
Yes, you can freeze the unassembled mini cakes for up to a month. However, it’s best to freeze them without ganache and toppings. Thaw before decorating.
Enjoy creating these enchanting Mini Christmas Drip Cakes and make your holiday celebrations extra special! 🎉