Name: Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 mini cakes
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ¾ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 large eggs; ½ cup whole milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup heavy cream; 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; Assorted festive sprinkles and sugar decorations; 6 small candy canes or mini gingerbread cookies (for topping)

Hey y'all! Get ready to bring some extra holiday cheer to your dessert table with these Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings. Each bite brings together rich chocolate, fluffy cake, and festive sprinkles for the most irresistible treat—perfect for Christmas parties, edible gifting, or a fun baking project with kids. These adorable mini cakes look fancy but are super doable, even for beginner bakers. Let's get cooking!

Why You'll Love This Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings Recipe

Adorably bite-sized and perfect for individual servings at holiday gatherings.
Moist vanilla cakes pair perfectly with lush, glossy chocolate ganache.
Customizable festive toppings let everyone get creative with decorations.
Great make-ahead dessert—mini cakes stay fresh and delicious for days.
Can be easily made gluten-free or dairy-free with simple swaps.

Ingredients for Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings

1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ cup (120ml) whole milk, room temperature
For the chocolate ganache:

½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
4 oz (115g) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

Festive toppings: mini candy canes, Christmas sprinkles, edible glitter, sugared cranberries, mini gingerbread men, red & green M&Ms

Directions: How to Make Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings

Prep & Bake the Mini Cakes

Preheat oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with parchment or silicone liners.
Mix dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cream butter & sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Add eggs & vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.
Combine wet & dry: Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Bake: Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (~⅔ full). Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Prepare the Chocolate Ganache Drip

Heat cream: In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring heavy cream just to a simmer (do not boil).
Melt chocolate: Place chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl; pour hot cream over the chocolate. Let stand 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
Cool slightly: Let ganache cool for 8-10 minutes until it's thick but still pourable.

Decorate the Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Festive Toppings

Level cakes: If needed, trim muffin tops for even, flat cakes. Place cakes on a wire rack set over parchment paper.
Drip ganache: Spoon or pipe chocolate ganache over the top of each mini cake, letting it drip artfully down the sides.
Add festive toppings: While ganache is still tacky, add your favorite holiday sprinkles, mini candies, and decorations.
Set & serve: Let cakes set for at least 30 minutes before serving or packaging.

Notes & Helpful Tips for Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings

Make sure cakes are completely cool before adding ganache to prevent it from melting or running off. For more cake tips, check out this detailed cake decorating guide.
Use a piping bag (or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped) for more precise chocolate drips.
Room temperature eggs and milk help create a smoother cake batter and fluffier texture.

Variations on Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings

Spiced Gingerbread: Add 2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon cloves for a gingerbread twist.
Chocolate Peppermint: Replace ¼ cup flour with cocoa powder and add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract to the batter.
Gluten-Free: Substitute your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for regular flour.

Required Equipment for Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings

12-cup muffin tin
Parchment or silicone liners
Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
Mixing bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Wire cooling rack
Small saucepan

Storage Instructions: Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings

Store the finished mini cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted cakes for up to 2 months; thaw, then add ganache and toppings just before serving.

Serving Recommendations & Pairings for Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings

Serve with a hot mug of cocoa, spiced chai, or fresh brewed coffee.
Pair mini cakes with a festive dessert board for your holiday party.
Wrap them up in clear bags with ribbon for thoughtful homemade Christmas gifts.

Pro Tips for Perfect Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings

Use high-quality chocolate for the ganache—brands like Godiva or Ghirardelli melt smoothly and taste amazing.
Wait until the ganache is just thick enough to hold its drip but pourable for the perfect effect (about 8-10 minutes of cooling).
Decorate while the ganache is slightly tacky for the toppings to stick well; if needed, check this ganache troubleshooting guide for more tips!

FAQ: Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings

Can I use store-bought cake mix for these mini cakes?: Yes! Just prepare as cupcakes using your favorite mix and follow the same decorating steps.
Can I make these cakes in advance?: Absolutely—bake the cakes 1-2 days ahead, then decorate with ganache and toppings the day of your event for best freshness.
What other toppings work well?: Try mini marshmallows, chopped nuts, freeze-dried berries, or edible gold dust for extra flair.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 20 minutes
Decorating/Cooling: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Mini Christmas Drip Cakes with Chocolate Ganache & Festive Toppings