10 Ring-Shaped Cakes for a Sweet and Prosperous New Year
In many cultures, serving ring-shaped foods on New Year's Day is a cherished tradition. The circle, with no beginning and no end, represents the full cycle of the year, symbolizing completeness, continuity, and a wish for good fortune to come full circle. From the rich and boozy to the light and citrusy, here are 10 ring-shaped cakes—from all corners of the globe—to ensure your new year starts sweet and your luck remains unbroken.
1. King Cake (Mardi Gras/Epiphany)
While often associated with Mardi Gras, the King Cake tradition begins on the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6th), making it a perfect post-New Year's treat. Its braided, ring-shape and vibrant sugar colors symbolize the crown jewels.
Description
A yeasted, braided cake that is buttery and slightly sweet, usually flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon zest, then topped with a sweet icing and colored sugars (purple, green, and gold).
Ingredients
Warm Milk: 1 cup
Active Dry Yeast: 2 1/4 teaspoons
Sugar: 1/2 cup
Butter: 1/2 cup, softened
Eggs: 2 large
All-Purpose Flour: 3 1/2 cups
Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
Nutmeg: 1/2 teaspoon
Lemon Zest: 1 teaspoon
Directions
Combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
In a large bowl, mix the remaining sugar, softened butter, and eggs. Add the yeast mixture, then gradually incorporate the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon zest to form a soft dough.
Knead until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1-2 hours until doubled.
Punch down the dough, roll it into a long rope, and twist the ends together to form a ring. Place on a baking sheet.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes. Once cooled, drizzle with a simple powdered sugar icing and sprinkle with colored sugars.
2. French Bûche de Noël (Holiday Log)
While a log shape is traditional, a modern twist involves shaping a lighter, cream-filled sponge cake into a ring to offer a fresh perspective on a classic holiday dessert.
Description
A light, ring-shaped sponge cake filled with a rich buttercream or mousse, often flavored with chocolate or coffee, and dusted with powdered sugar to resemble a snowy forest floor.
Ingredients
Cake Flour: 3/4 cup
Sugar: 3/4 cup
Eggs: 4 large, separated
Cocoa Powder: 1/4 cup
Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon
Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
Buttercream or Chocolate Mousse: For filling
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Whisk egg yolks with half the sugar and vanilla.
Whip egg whites until stiff peaks form, gradually adding the remaining sugar.
Gently fold the yolk mixture into the whites. Sift in the flour, cocoa, and baking powder.
Pour the batter into a greased and floured ring-shaped pan.
Bake for 15-20 minutes. Once cooled, slice the cake horizontally into two layers, fill with buttercream or mousse, and reassemble the ring. Dust with powdered sugar.
3. Nordic Kransekake (Wreath Cake)
A stunning, towering Scandinavian cake often served at weddings and New Year's celebrations, symbolizing abundance and celebration.
Description
A stack of concentric almond-paste rings held together by a simple white icing. It is dense, chewy, and naturally gluten-free.
Ingredients
Almond Paste: 1 lb
Powdered Sugar: 1 cup
Egg Whites: 2 large
Royal Icing: For assembly and decoration
Directions
Process the almond paste and powdered sugar until well combined.
Mix in the egg whites until a firm dough forms.
Roll the dough into long ropes of varying lengths. Shape each rope into a ring, ensuring the ends meet seamlessly.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden.
Once cooled, stack the rings from largest to smallest, adhering them with royal icing. Decorate with drizzle and small flags.
4. Italian Panettone (Adapted)
While traditionally domed, the rich, fruit-studded bread can be baked in a ring mold for a New Year's dessert that symbolizes a complete, sweet journey.
Description
A sweet, yeasted bread-cake loaded with candied orange peel, citron, and raisins. It is light, airy, and has a distinct buttery flavor.
Ingredients
All-Purpose Flour: 3 cups
Active Dry Yeast: 1 packet
Sugar: 1/2 cup
Butter: 1/2 cup, softened
Eggs: 3 large
Candied Fruit Mix: 1 cup
Orange Zest: 1 tablespoon
Directions
Mix yeast, a pinch of sugar, and 1/2 cup warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes.
Combine flour, remaining sugar, butter, eggs, zest, and yeast mixture. Knead until a soft, elastic dough forms.
Fold in the candied fruit. Place the dough in a greased ring mold and let rise until doubled (about 2-3 hours).
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-50 minutes. Serve sliced.
5. Greek Vasilopita (New Year's Cake)
The quintessential Greek New Year's cake, traditionally baked on New Year's Eve to be cut at midnight. A coin is often hidden inside for good luck.
Description
A fragrant, simple cake often flavored with orange, lemon, and a touch of mahlab or mastic. It is typically topped with "2026" or a cross made of icing.
Ingredients
All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups
Sugar: 1 cup
Butter: 1/2 cup, softened
Eggs: 3 large
Orange Zest: 2 teaspoons
Orange Juice: 1/2 cup
Baking Powder: 2 teaspoons
Directions
Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour and baking powder.
Alternately add the flour mixture and orange juice to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in the orange zest.
Pour the batter into a greased ring pan. Optionally, push a foil-wrapped coin into the batter.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes.
6. Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake
The Bundt shape is the quintessential ring cake, and this flavor offers a bright, forward-looking start to the new year.
Description
A moist, tender cake with a vibrant lemon flavor and a subtle crunch from the poppy seeds, topped with a tart lemon glaze.
Ingredients
All-Purpose Flour: 2 1/2 cups
Sugar: 1 1/2 cups
Poppy Seeds: 3 tablespoons
Butter: 1/2 cup, softened
Eggs: 4 large
Plain Yogurt or Sour Cream: 1 cup
Lemon Zest: 2 tablespoons
Lemon Juice: 1/4 cup
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a Bundt pan.
Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time.
Mix in yogurt, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour and poppy seeds. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Pour into the Bundt pan and bake for 50-60 minutes. Cool completely before glazing.
7. Chocolate Lava Ring Cake
A richer, smaller ring cake offering a decadent treat to symbolize the overflowing sweetness of the coming year.
Description
Individual mini-ring cakes with a molten, warm chocolate center. Rich and deeply satisfying.
Ingredients
Dark Chocolate: 4 oz, chopped
Butter: 1/2 cup
Eggs: 2 large
Egg Yolks: 2
Sugar: 1/4 cup
All-Purpose Flour: 2 tablespoons
Directions
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease four mini-ring or donut pans.
Melt chocolate and butter together in a double boiler.
In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, yolks, and sugar until thick. Stir in the flour.
Gently fold the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture.
Pour into the prepared pans and bake for 12-15 minutes. The edges should be set, but the center should still be soft. Serve immediately.
8. German Gugelhupf
A recognizable ring cake, often associated with celebrations in Central Europe. The traditional tall, fluted mold gives it an elegant, crown-like appearance.
Description
A light, buttery cake similar to a brioche, often containing raisins and dusted heavily with powdered sugar.
Ingredients
All-Purpose Flour: 3 cups
Active Dry Yeast: 2 1/4 teaspoons
Warm Milk: 1 cup
Butter: 1/2 cup, softened
Sugar: 1/2 cup
Eggs: 2 large
Golden Raisins: 1/2 cup (soaked in rum or water)
Lemon Zest: 1 teaspoon
Directions
Dissolve yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar.
Combine butter, remaining sugar, eggs, and lemon zest. Add the yeast mixture.
Gradually mix in the flour until a soft dough forms. Knead lightly, then fold in the drained raisins.
Press the dough into a well-greased Gugelhupf or Bundt pan and let rise for 1 hour.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40-50 minutes. Dust generously with powdered sugar when cool.
9. Orange Cranberry Ring Cake
A festive and bright combination of flavors to symbolize a vibrant beginning to the new year.
Description
A tender, orange-infused cake with bursts of tart cranberry, finished with an orange-flavored syrup glaze.
Ingredients
All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups
Sugar: 1 1/2 cups
Butter: 1/2 cup, softened
Eggs: 3 large
Buttermilk: 1/2 cup
Fresh Cranberries: 1 cup
Orange Zest: 2 tablespoons
Orange Juice: 1/2 cup (for cake and glaze)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a ring or Bundt pan.
Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs. Mix in buttermilk and orange zest.
Combine flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Gradually add to the wet ingredients. Gently fold in the cranberries.
Pour into the pan and bake for 45-50 minutes.
While warm, poke holes in the cake and pour a glaze made from powdered sugar and orange juice over the top.
10. Coconut Lime Ring Cake
A light and tropical ring cake to look ahead to warmer days and new adventures.
Description
A supremely moist cake rich with coconut milk and shredded coconut, balanced by the bright tang of fresh lime zest and juice.
Ingredients
All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups
Sugar: 1 1/2 cups
Shredded Coconut: 1 cup
Coconut Milk: 1 cup
Vegetable Oil: 1/2 cup
Eggs: 3 large
Lime Zest: 2 tablespoons
Lime Juice: 1/4 cup
Baking Powder: 2 teaspoons
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a ring pan.
Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and 1/2 cup of the shredded coconut.
In a separate bowl, whisk coconut milk, oil, eggs, lime zest, and lime juice.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients, mixing until just smooth.
Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes. Garnish with remaining shredded coconut and a lime glaze.
