Okay, so—this Holiday Sugar Cookie Cake? It’s like a big, cozy hug on a plate. We made it last year, and now it’s just our thing every holiday.

It’s soft. It’s buttery. And it’s covered in festive sprinkles that make it look like magic. The best part? You don’t even need to chill the dough.

I swear, when we cut into it warm, the whole kitchen smelled like Christmas. It’s got that sweet, rich sugar cookie taste—but in cake form. So fun, right?

If you’re craving something super easy and super cute, you have to try this one. Let’s make this sweet holiday treat together. Grab a mixing bowl—we’re starting now.

Why You’ll Love This Holiday Sugar Cookie Cake

Reader Favorite: Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking to impress your family, this cake is always a hit. It’s easy to make and offers that nostalgic sugar cookie flavor everyone loves!
Soft and Chewy Texture: The sugar cookie mix creates a perfectly soft base, while the frosting and toppings take it over the top with flavor.
Perfect for Holidays: This cake is as beautiful as it is delicious, making it the ideal dessert to serve at any holiday gathering, from Christmas to New Year’s Eve.
Customizable: You can top this cake with any candies or sprinkles you like! I’m showing my go-to holiday candy combo, but feel free to mix it up.
Quick and Easy: With a simple mix and just a few steps, you’ll have this cake ready in no time. It’s great for when you need a last-minute holiday dessert.

Required Kitchen Tools

Before diving into the recipe, let’s gather the essentials! You’ll need:

Mixing Bowls: For combining your ingredients.
Hand or Stand Mixer: To beat your butter and sugar together for the frosting.
Baking Sheet or Round Cake Pan: To bake your sugar cookie cake.
Parchment Paper (Optional): If you’re using a baking sheet or want easy cleanup.
Spatula: For spreading frosting and arranging toppings.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: To ensure accuracy with your ingredients.

Ingredients

This recipe uses a convenient Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix as the base, so it’s fast and simple while still being absolutely delicious. You’ll also need a few extra ingredients to make this festive cake truly shine.

For the Cookie Cake:

1 Box of Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix: This is the perfect base for this easy recipe.
1 Stick Unsalted Butter: For richness and flavor. Make sure the butter is softened for easy mixing.
1 Egg: This helps bind everything together and contributes to the cake’s soft texture.
¼ Cup Holiday Sprinkles: These will make your cake fun and colorful, perfect for the festive season.

For the Frosting:

1 Stick Unsalted Butter: Again, softened for easy mixing.
4 Cups Powdered Sugar: The key to making the frosting nice and sweet!
5-7 Tablespoons Heavy Cream: To get the perfect consistency for your frosting. Add it slowly, depending on how thick or smooth you want the frosting.

For the Toppings:

Candy of Your Choice: I love using a mix of M&Ms, red/green/white sprinkles, Hershey Kisses, and soft peppermint candies. These give the cake a festive touch, but feel free to use whatever candies you have on hand.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s dive into the fun part: making the Holiday Sugar Cookie Cake! I’ll walk you through every step so you can create a festive masterpiece for your next holiday gathering.

1. Make the Sugar Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, combine the Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix, softened unsalted butter, and egg. Mix well until everything is fully combined and smooth.

If you’re using a stand mixer, it will only take about 1-2 minutes on medium speed.
If mixing by hand, use a sturdy spoon or spatula to incorporate all ingredients together.

Once your dough is ready, fold in holiday sprinkles. This will add those pops of color and give the dough a festive look, even before it’s baked!

2. Prepare Your Baking Pan

If you’re using a round cake pan, grease it with a little butter or cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper to make it easy to remove the cake once it’s baked.

If you prefer to make this cake into cookies, you can roll the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

For a thicker cake or cookie pizza effect, press the dough directly into a large round baking pan, like a 9-inch cake pan, or spread it onto a baking sheet for a thinner, cookie-pizza style cake.

3. Bake the Cookie Cake

Now, it’s time to bake your holiday sugar cookie cake! Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).

For the round cake pan: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown and the center is set.
For a thinner cookie sheet: It will bake a bit faster, so check at 10-12 minutes. You want the center to be soft but fully cooked through.

Once done, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack. Let it cool completely before frosting.

4. Make the Frosting

While your cake is cooling, it’s time to make the frosting.

In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, a little at a time, until it’s fully incorporated.

Once all the sugar is added, slowly mix in heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. If it’s too thick, add more cream; if it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.

You can also add vanilla extract or any flavorings of your choice at this point if you want to switch things up.

5. Frost and Decorate the Cake

Once your cake has cooled completely, spread a generous layer of frosting over the top. I recommend using an offset spatula to get a smooth, even layer.

Now comes the fun part: decorating!

Top the frosted cake with your choice of candies. I recommend using a mix of M&Ms, Hershey Kisses, peppermint candies, and extra sprinkles for that festive holiday vibe.

Feel free to get creative with your toppings — the more colorful, the better!

How to Serve Holiday Sugar Cookie Cake

This cake is great on its own, but here are a few ways to serve it and make it even more festive:

As a Cake Slice: Serve individual slices to your guests for an easy dessert at your holiday gathering.
As a Cookie Pizza: If you make this recipe in a baking sheet, cut it into wedges like a pizza. It’s perfect for serving a crowd at a cookie swap or party.
With Ice Cream: Add a scoop of vanilla or peppermint ice cream for a truly indulgent dessert.

Storing Holiday Sugar Cookie Cake

If you have any leftovers (lucky you!), store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it, but let the cake come to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.

Can You Freeze the Cake?

Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted cake! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and then in aluminum foil, to prevent freezer burn. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 1 month.

When you’re ready to serve it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then frost and decorate as usual.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient	Amount per serving
Calories	410
Total Fat	19g
Saturated Fat	11g
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	80mg
Sodium	210mg
Total Carbohydrates	55g
Dietary Fiber	0g
Sugars	38g
Protein	4g
Calcium	40mg
Iron	1.2mg
Potassium	75mg

Holiday Sugar Cookie Cake FAQs

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes! The cake itself can be baked a day or two in advance. Just store it in an airtight container, and frost it the day you plan to serve it.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just swap the Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix for a gluten-free sugar cookie mix and follow the rest of the recipe as instructed.

Can I use different candies?

Yes, you can! Try using chocolate chips, peppermint bark, or even mini marshmallows for a fun variation.