Chocolate Christmas Celebration Cake

Prep Time: 60 Minutes
Cook Time:
Total Time: 4 Hours 40 Minutes
Servings: 12

This stunning cake will be the center of attention at any Christmas gathering. Three layers of perfectly moist chocolate cake are filled with fluffy white frosting (with a secret ingredient!) and sparkling sugared cranberries. Only you’ll know how easy it is to make!


Ingredient List

Sugared Cranberries
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
  • Small check mark in a circle icon ¾ cup water
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 1 cup frozen cranberries, thawed
Cake
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ chocolate fudge cake mix
  • Small check mark in a circle icon Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 1 box (3.4 oz) Jell-O™ chocolate-flavor instant pudding & pie filling mix
Frosting
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 2 cups Kraft Jet Puffed marshmallow creme (from two 7-oz jars)
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 1 ¼ cups butter, softened
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 3 ¼ cups powdered sugar
Decoration
  • Small check mark in a circle icon Fresh rosemary sprigs

Preparation

  1. In 1-quart saucepan, mix 3/4 cup of the granulated sugar and 3/4 cup water. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; cool 5 minutes. In small bowl, place cranberries. Pour syrup over berries; stir to blend. Refrigerate, uncovered, 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  2. Remove berries from refrigerator and drain; discard liquid. In small bowl, place remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Working with a few berries at a time, roll one by one in the sugar to completely coat. Place on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. Let stand at room temperature about 1 hour or until dry. Set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Spray bottoms and sides of three 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray.
  4. In large bowl, beat Cake ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour 1 2/3 cups of the batter in each pan.
  5. Bake 20 to 24 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  6. In large bowl, beat marshmallow creme, softened butter, vanilla and 1 tablespoon of the milk with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Beat in powdered sugar until fluffy. If necessary, beat in more milk, a few drops at a time, until spreading consistency.
  7. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread 3/4 cup frosting on top; top with second cake layer. Spread 3/4 cup frosting on top; top with third cake layer. Frost sides with a thin layer of frosting so sides are covered but cake still shows through. Spread remaining frosting on top.
  8. Place sugared cranberries around base of cake, and press in slightly to adhere to frosting. Place remaining cranberries on top, mounding in center of cake; garnish with sprigs of rosemary. Loosely cover and refrigerate any remaining cake.

Recipe Tips

  • The “half-dressed” or thin layer of frosting on the outside of a cake allows the layers to show through. It’s impressive and easy!