11 Japanese Christmas Cake Recipes & Their Surprising History

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I never expected to fall down a rabbit hole about Japanese Christmas cakes. But here we are, and I’m completely charmed.

A Japanese Christmas cake is traditionally a single style of cake: milk sponge layer, lightly sweetened cream filling/frosting, and strawberries. But creative cooks have riffed on this lovely dessert in different ways, and I compiled a few of them here.

If you’re looking for your next holiday baking project, I’ve rounded up 11 Japanese Christmas cake recipes that range from the classic strawberry shortcake to unexpected twists like strawberry matcha roll cake. Each one is more beautiful than the last.

Why Japan Goes All-In on Christmas Cake

Here’s where it gets interesting. While most of us associate Christmas with cookies or pie, in Japan, Christmas cake is the dessert. And the story behind it? It’s actually pretty moving.

The tradition took off after World War II, when Japan was rebuilding and looking toward Western culture—particularly the prosperity they saw in America. In those lean post-war years, ingredients like sugar, butter, and milk were luxuries most people couldn’t afford. So when the economy finally recovered enough that families could buy these ingredients again, baking a Christmas cake became more than just dessert. It was a symbol that they’d made it through.

The traditional cake—fluffy white sponge, clouds of whipped cream, and bright red strawberries—even mirrors the colors of Japan’s flag. Red and white are considered especially auspicious in Japanese culture, which made the cake feel even more special.

Fun tidbit: Those cake emojis on your phone? Both the birthday cake and the shortcake slice are based on Japanese Christmas cake designs. Every time you text one, you’re basically sending a little piece of this tradition.

It’s Not Your Typical Christmas Celebration

Here’s what surprised me most: Christmas in Japan isn’t really about family gatherings or religious observance. Instead, it’s treated more like Valentine’s Day—a romantic occasion for couples. And the centerpiece? Sharing a beautiful Christmas cake together on Christmas Eve.

These days, you’ll see plenty of variations beyond the classic strawberry shortcake. Swiss rolls, Mont Blanc cakes, fruit tarts—Japanese bakeries get creative. But that original strawberry-topped white cake remains the iconic choice, and honestly, I get why. It’s simple, elegant, and photogenic as heck.

(Side note: Other countries have their own Christmas cake traditions too—Germany’s stollen, Italy’s panettone, France’s Buche de Noel. Clearly, humanity collectively decided that December calls for special cake.)

Let’s Get to the Good Stuff

In this post, I’m sharing 11 variations of Japanese Christmas cake that caught my eye. We’re talking the famous strawberry shortcake, rich fruitcakes, that intriguing strawberry matcha roll, and several others that honestly made me want to clear my weekend just to bake. Number 8 has this incredibly moist texture that I’m still thinking about.

Whether you’re planning to bake one or just want to appreciate the artistry, I think you’ll find something here that speaks to you. Shall we dive in?

1. Japanese Strawberry Shortcake

We begin with the quintessential traditional Japanese strawberry shortcake recipe. Here, you will find all the necessary elements, including preparing the Japanese fluffy sponge cake, whipping cream, and fresh strawberries. Overall this dessert is not very sweet but totally wins the Instagram game! Fantastic step-by-step instructions with pictures guide you the whole way through. 

I learned an interesting tip: to brush sugar syrup on the layers to keep it from drying out before adding the whipped heavy cream. Powdered sugar sprinkled on top and stiff peaks of icing make for a beautiful presentation looking like freshly fallen snow.

2. Fresh Strawberry Cream Cake

This is your classic Japanese Christmas cake in all its fluffy, cloud-like glory. The recipe walks you through everything: that impossibly light sponge cake, perfectly whipped cream, and of course, fresh strawberries arranged just so.se strawberry shortcake recipe to create this airy sponge cake. 

3. Japanese Christmas Roll Recipe

Continuing down this road of Japanese Christmas Day cake recipes, this one has simplified the creation by converting it into a rustic roll cake, also known as Kurisumasu Keki.

But bonus, the recipe includes a video where the creator talks you through and shows you all the steps from preparing your batter in a large bowl to cream frosting! 

4. Chocolate Chestnut Christmas Roll Cake

Rolling right along with the Japanese culture and tradition of sharing a Japanese sponge cake at Christmas, this beautiful chocolate roll cake is also light and fluffy with a chestnut whipped cream filling. This one is more of a minimalist’s take on the dessert while following the tradition of a not-too-sweet cake. 

It is also along the lines of a Mont Blanc Buche de Noel because of the addition of the chestnut cream. 

There are instructions on how to do so with a wood grain stencil option to give it an authentic yule log look. Also, a brilliant idea shared about sliding the rolled up cake inside a sturdy cardboard tube so it doesn’t expand while chilling! 

5. Raspberry Pistachio Roulade (Rolled Cake)

While a Japanese Christmas cake recipe tends to be a variation on the same riff: berries, milk sponge cake layer, and lighltly sweet whipped cream, I included this one for the spirit of the cake but adding a wildly different flavor profile. Raspberry and pistach go together very well in this lovely rolled dessert cake.

6. Japanese Fruitcake

This one’s a total departure—think spiced cake with raisins and a runny coconut-orange filling that gives it tropical vibes. The filling intentionally spills over the edges (don’t panic, that’s the plan), and you let it sit for hours so the cake absorbs all that citrusy goodness. Not the prettiest on this list, but the warm spices and fruit-nut combo? Absolutely delicious.

7. Dome Japanese Christmas Cake

This beautiful Japanese strawberry shortcake recipe has an entirely different shape than the traditional Japanese sponge cake! It is an adorable dome, covered carefully in white icing and ringed on the serving plate with sliced strawberries! Just like its counterpart, when you slice into it, you will indeed discover the surprise fresh cream and strawberries in the middle! 

Lots of creative choices here with piped chocolate (or any other colored) icing saying Merry Christmas! The instructions for making the dome shape from half the cake were a little fuzzy to me, but you creatives can certainly figure it out! 

I do love how different it looks, which makes it special for Christmas time or any celebration.

8. Bento Box Cake

This one may not officially be Japanese (I’m thinking Korean origin) but it’s so cute and kawai that I add to include this. These personal-sized cakes are so cute, and they no doubt make great gifts to some very lucky loved ones.

9. Japanese Christmas Cupcakes

Christmas Eve cupcakes are up next as a super fun variation on the Japanese strawberry shortcake recipes we have looked at so far. Single serving sizes make it so easy on a first time hostess! 

Everyone will love these with stabilized whipped cream and a touch of colored sprinkles with a beautiful strawberry on top. Classic ingredients and good instructions will create a tasty Japanese sponge cake texture with a new look! 

A little whipped cream on the nose never hurt anyone! 

10. Strawberry Matcha Roll Cake

Japanese culture is as steeped in tea as it is in the ubiquitous Japanese sponge cake for Christmas. So here we get to marry the two for a popular cake, the strawberry matcha roll cake! It could be for any time of year, allowing people to interpret the green coloring as spring or Christmas. 

The cake itself is flavored with Japanese green tea powder in addition to the traditional whipped cream and strawberries. 

Fair warning is given to use a fresh good quality matcha powder since it does not have a long shelf life, and you do want the vibrant green color.

The goal is to add a delicate earthy, slightly bitter flavor that you will balance with the whipped cream and cake. This recipe is also serious about its strawberries using a lot more in the filling than most others. 

Excellent instructions with beautiful slices.

11. Naked Gluten-Free Japanese Christmas Cake

That simply means there is no icing on the side of the cake, top only! Gluten-free is fantastic for our gluten-intolerant friends, and these are the two changes in this Japanese Strawberry sponge cake recipe that set it apart from the others on this list. 

There are a lot of steps, so read through carefully to be sure you have the necessary ingredients on hand and time available. 

BONUS RECIPE: Chocolate Chiffon Japanese Christmas Cake

A traditional recipe with a chocolate twist, Noriko and Yuko say to make sure that since this is a very soft cake to ensure it is well chilled before slicing.

🍰 28 Delectable Asian Desserts For Celebrations Or Every Day 🍰

The bottom line

No matter where or how you celebrate Christmas or whether you have Japanese culture in your heritage, a Japanese Christmas cake will add a lightly sweet finishing touch to your holiday dinner.