The festive season warms our hearts with family, friends, and cherished traditions. What better way to add even more sweetness than with cakes from different cultures? Bursting with flavour and history, these treats “take the cake” when it comes to bringing people together. Try these beloved holiday desserts, fresh from bakeries in our deliciously diverse community.
The Yule Log (Bûche de Noël)
The Yule Log, or Bûche de Noël, has been a holiday favourite for generations. Inspired by the Germanic tradition of burning a yule log to welcome the sun, this 19th-century French cake symbolizes warmth and light. It’s a rolled sponge cake covered in chocolate buttercream, decorated to look like a tree branch with meringue mushrooms and a dusting of powdered sugar snow for a rustic touch.
British Fruit Cake
This holiday staple is packed with dried fruits, nuts, and sometimes a splash of rum or brandy. It’s dense and often covered in a thick layer of marzipan or royal icing. Fruit cake dates back to ancient Rome, when it was made with pomegranate seeds and raisins. And while it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, in the UK, a holiday without fruit cake would be decidedly unfestive.
Jamaican Black Cake
Speaking of fruit cakes, Jamaican Black Cake is served both at weddings and during the Christmas season. Soaking it in rum and wine gives it an intense flavour and a beautiful dark colour. This cake warms you from the inside out, making it a holiday favourite in many Caribbean households. (Author’s note: I’m not a fruitcake fan, but this one might convert me!)
Allahabadi Cake from India
Traditionally made for Christmas by Christian communities in India, Allahabadi Cake is a fruitcake with a twist. It’s spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg and soaked in rum, but also includes ghee and petha (a candied gourd).
Hanukkah Cake (Apple Cinnamon Cake)
To mark the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, many families enjoy a delicious Apple Cinnamon Cake. This spiced cake has layers of apples, cinnamon, and a hint of honey, symbolizing the sweetness of life and the warmth of family. The simplicity of this cake is its strength — easy to make and bursting with flavour.
Kurisumasu Keki from Japan
In Japan, Christmas is a relatively modern holiday, and the Kurisumasu Keki is its sweetest symbol. This light sponge cake is layered with whipped cream and strawberries, a simple but elegant dessert that’s as pretty as it is delicious.
Panettone from Italy
This fluffy cake filled with dried fruits has become a global holiday favourite. Its subtle sweetness is perfect for the season. Have leftovers? Panettone French toast or bread pudding makes a rich breakfast treat.
Bibingka from the Philippines
Bibingka is a traditional Filipino rice cake. Made with coconut milk, eggs, and cheese, this cake is typically cooked in clay pots lined with banana leaves for a unique, slightly smoky flavour. It’s often served after midnight mass during the Christmas season.
Drømmekage from Denmark
The Danish Drømmekage, or “Dream Cake,” is as dreamy as it sounds. It’s a moist sponge cake topped with a crunchy caramelized coconut topping.
Bolo Rei from Portugal
Bolo Rei or King Cake is a Portuguese classic that’s both fun and flavourful. Shaped like a crown and filled with candied fruits and nuts, it’s traditionally eaten from Christmas through Epiphany. The real excitement comes from the hidden surprises — a tiny gift and a fava bean are baked inside. Whoever finds the bean has to buy the cake next year.
Chinese New Year Cake
Many families celebrate Lunar New Year with Nian Gao, a sweet, chewy steamed rice cake made of glutinous rice flour and brown sugar. Symbolizing prosperity and growth, it’s traditionally shared with loved ones to bring good fortune in the year ahead. I’ll take some of that!
Christmas Cake
Finally, whimsical cakes decorated with beloved holiday characters or winter scenes can be enjoyed at holiday parties around our community, bringing a festive touch that delights both the eyes and the taste buds.
Local Links:
The Sweetest Thing, Oakville
Christmas themed cakes
thesweetestthing.com
Sweet Paradise Bakery,
Waterdown
Christmas cakes and Yule logs
sweetparadise.ca
The Black Forest Pastry Shop,
Oakville
Yule logs
black-forest-pastry-shop.square.site/#2
Sweet Bakery, Oakville
Christmas themed cakes
sweetbakery.ca
Denninger’s, Oakville and
Burlington
Yule logs
denningers.com
Aveiro Bakery, Oakville
Bolo Rei or King Cake
aveirobakery.ca
Monastery Bakery, Oakville
Panettone, Yule logs, Cinnamon
Apple Cake
monasterybakery.com
The Danish Pastry House,
Oakville and Burlington
Drømmekage or Dream Cake
danishpastryhouse.ca
British Pride Bakery, Burlington
British Fruit Cake
britishpridebakery.com
By Lisa Thornbury
