ith Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings Recipe

If you’re searching for a showstopper holiday dessert that’s as charming as it is delicious, these Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings are your answer. Imagine bite-sized, fluffy sponge cakes, each one dripping with silky ganache and crowned with clouds of whipped cream, then finished with dazzling Christmas accents. Not only do they look straight out of an artisan bakery, but they capture everything festive in one magical bite. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or gifting a homemade treat, these cakes will light up any winter table—the ultimate seasonal crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how a handful of simple pantry staples can transform into a dessert worthy of any festive occasion! Each ingredient in these Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings is handpicked for maximum flavor, texture, and visual appeal.

• All-purpose flour: The backbone of the sponge, ensuring a light and tender crumb in every bite.
• Sugar: Adds perfect sweetness and helps achieve that beautifully golden cake crust.
• Large eggs: Essential for rich flavor and structure, giving the cakes a lovely lift.
• Unsalted butter (softened): Provides a rich, melt-in-the-mouth texture—don’t skip the softening step!
• Milk: Brings moisture, binding everything together for a soft and fluffy result.
• Vanilla extract: Infuses the sponge and frosting with a warm, comforting note.
• Baking powder: Ensures the mini cakes rise perfectly every time.
• Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens the sponge’s flavor.
• Heavy cream (cold): Whips up into a stable, luxurious frosting for piping swirls on top.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and gives a snowy, festive finish when dusted on top.
• Dark chocolate (chopped): Forms the rich, glossy ganache that drips so elegantly over each cake.
• Butter (for ganache, optional): A little adds a beautiful shine and silkier texture.
• Fresh cranberries or red berries: Adds a tart pop and perfect Christmas color.
• Gold sugar pearls or edible gold dust: For that touch of holiday luxury and sparkle!
• Cinnamon sticks: Not only decorative but infuses a cozy, seasonal aroma.
• Small sprigs of rosemary or pine (food-safe): Brings an evergreen look, reminiscent of Christmas trees.

How to Make ith Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings

Step 1: Bake the Mini Sponge Cakes

Start by preheating your oven to 175°C (350°F) and prepping your mini cake pans or muffin tins with a little grease and parchment for easy release. Cream together the softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy—this is your ticket to tender cakes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly and stirring in the vanilla extract. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then alternately add the dry mixture and milk to your wet ingredients, mixing until you have a smooth, airy batter. Divide this into your pans, smoothing the tops, and bake for 15–20 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let them cool completely, as this step is vital before adding any decoration or ganache.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Frosting

Pour your cold heavy cream into a bowl and add the powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla extract. Using a mixer or a strong arm, whip it until stiff peaks form. For the prettiest presentation, transfer your whipped cream into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle—trust me, those swirls on top will look bakery-worthy and add beautiful dimension to your Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings.

Step 3: Prepare the Decadent Ganache

Heat heavy cream gently until it’s just steaming (not boiling), then pour it over your finely chopped dark chocolate. Let it sit for a minute to melt the chocolate, then whisk until smooth and glossy. Add a teaspoon of butter if you want extra shine—your ganache will look positively luxurious. Allow it to cool just slightly so it thickens to the perfect drip consistency. This luscious chocolate sauce is what makes your ith Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings so irresistible.

Step 4: Assemble the Holiday Cakes

Arrange your cooled mini cakes on a serving tray. Drop generous spoonfuls of chocolate ganache onto each one, gently encouraging the ganache to drip down the sides with the back of a spoon. Next, pipe a tall swirl of whipped cream right in the center of each cake. These layers of texture and flavor are what make Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings a total standout. Top with fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs, and a sprinkle of gold sugar pearls. For a magical snowy finish, dust everything with a veil of powdered sugar. Step back and admire—you just created edible Christmas art!

How to Serve ith Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings

Garnishes

Your creativity shines brightest with ith Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings when you play with garnishes! Aside from the classics listed above, you can add candied orange peel, mini gingerbread cookies, or silver sprinkles for extra holiday cheer. Each mini cake becomes as unique as a snowflake, bursting with whimsy and flavor.

Side Dishes

Pair these mini cakes with a pot of spiced chai, mulled wine, or classic hot chocolate to complete the Christmas experience. For a festive dessert buffet, add bowls of sugared nuts, fresh clementines, and a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for dipping. The contrast in temperatures and flavors will leave guests wanting more!

Creative Ways to Present

To truly dazzle, arrange the mini cakes on a vintage cake stand or a wooden platter decorated with sprigs of pine and fairy lights. You can even box them up, tied with ribbon, as personal edible gifts. Serving on a tiered stand among other holiday treats creates a storybook sweets table—each Mini Christmas Drip Cake with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings ready to be the star of the spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings keep well for up to 3 days in the fridge, especially if stored in an airtight container. Place a little piece of parchment between each cake to keep them looking pristine and prevent the decorations from squishing together. The flavors deepen overnight, making the cakes even yummier the next day.

Freezing

If you want to get ahead on holiday baking, freeze the undecorated sponge cakes tightly wrapped in plastic and foil for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then add ganache, cream, and toppings just before serving. You’ll have fresh, ready-to-decorate cakes whenever you need a dazzling dessert.

Reheating

While these cakes are scrumptious straight from the fridge, sometimes it’s nice to serve them slightly warm. To do so, gently bring the undecorated, thawed cakes to room temperature or microwave them (without toppings) in 10-second bursts. Add ganache and festive toppings after reheating for best results with ith Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings.

FAQs

Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate for the ganache?

Absolutely! Milk chocolate will result in a sweeter, creamier ganache. Just note it may be thinner, so use a bit less cream or let it cool longer. The cakes will still look and taste amazing with ith Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings.

What size pans should I use for mini cakes?

You can use mini cake pans, silicone molds, or even a standard muffin tin. Aim for molds that hold 1/3 to 1/2 cup batter each for the perfect handheld size. If using muffin tins, line with cupcake papers for easy removal.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The recipe works beautifully, and your Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings will still delight everyone around the table.

Is it possible to make the cakes ahead without decorating them?

Definitely! Bake the sponges a day or two ahead, store them airtight, and then add ganache, cream, and festive toppings right before serving for maximum freshness and visual wow-factor.

How do I get the perfect ganache drip?

The secret is letting the ganache cool until it’s just thick enough to slowly drip but not run. Use a spoon or squeeze bottle to guide the chocolate over the edges. Practice makes perfect—and the process is so much fun!

Final Thoughts

These Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings are an absolute joy to make and share. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, every batch brings a little more sparkle and sweetness to your celebrations. I can’t wait for you to experience the festive magic in each merry bite—happy baking and happiest holidays!