Rudolph’s Sleighlight Cake

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A rich chocolate cake with glowing “sleigh lights,” creamy vanilla frosting, and a cheerful Christmas finish—perfect for holiday tables and family celebrations 🎄✨

⏱ Time & Yield

  • Prep: 25 minutes
  • Bake: 30–35 minutes
  • Decorate: 30 minutes
  • Serves: 12–14

🧾 INGREDIENTS

🍫 Chocolate Cake

  • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • 1½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot coffee or hot water

🎅 Vanilla Snow Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • 1½ tsp vanilla extract

✨ Decorations

  • Mini chocolate candies (for sleigh lights)
  • Red candy or cherry (Rudolph’s nose)
  • Chocolate bars or cookies (sleigh runners)
  • Chocolate shavings or sprinkles (snow)

👩‍🍳 INSTRUCTIONS

🔹 STEP 1: BAKE THE CAKE

  1. Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F.
  2. Grease and line two 8-inch round pans.
  3. In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
  5. Slowly stir in hot coffee (batter will be thin).
  6. Divide evenly between pans.
  7. Bake 30–35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Cool completely.

🔹 STEP 2: MAKE THE FROSTING

  1. Beat butter until creamy.
  2. Add powdered sugar gradually.
  3. Mix in cream and vanilla until fluffy and spreadable.

🔹 STEP 3: ASSEMBLE

  1. Place first cake layer on serving plate.
  2. Frost generously.
  3. Add second layer and frost entire cake smoothly.

🔹 STEP 4: DECORATE (THE FUN PART 🎄)

  • Use mini candies in a row around the cake edge to resemble sleigh lights
  • Add a red candy nose at the front for Rudolph
  • Shape sleigh runners with chocolate bars or cookies
  • Dust with powdered sugar for falling snow

🎄 SERVING IDEAS

  • Pair with hot cocoa or spiced coffee
  • Serve under twinkling lights for extra magic ✨

⭐ HOLIDAY TIPS

  • Chill cake before decorating for cleaner details
  • Use edible glitter for a glowing sleigh effect
  • Kids love helping decorate this cake!

🫙 STORAGE

  • Refrigerate up to 4 days
  • Freeze unfrosted layers up to 2 months

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