By Akshara
December 22, 2025
By the time December rolls around, Christmas cakes start showing up everywhere. These cakes are prepared specifically for the season and are widely recognised as part of Christmas celebrations across different parts of the country. While recipes vary from home to home, the following cakes are among the most familiar and widely associated with Christmas in India.
Plum cake is the most iconic Christmas cake in India. Made with dried fruits, nuts and warm spices, it is dark, dense and deeply flavoured. In many homes, the cake is prepared weeks in advance so the flavours mature by Christmas.
Often confused with plum cake, rich fruit cake tends to be heavier and more fruit-forward. It contains a higher proportion of soaked fruits and is popular in bakery versions across Indian cities during December.
While bebinca is traditionally a layered dessert, it is often sold and served in cake-like slices during Christmas in Goa. Its coconut milk and egg yolk base makes it unmistakably linked to Christmas celebrations in the region.
Kerala-style Christmas cake is known for its deep colour and strong spice profile, often using caramelised sugar for colour instead of food colouring. It is widely baked at home and sold through local bakeries during the season.
Rum and raisin cake is popular in urban bakeries and among families who enjoy lighter fruit cakes. Raisins soaked in rum give the cake moisture and a pronounced flavour that suits Christmas tables.
Chocolate-based Christmas cakes have grown in popularity, especially among younger bakers. These cakes combine cocoa or dark chocolate with nuts and sometimes dried fruits, offering a modern alternative to traditional fruit-heavy versions.