Easy and Delicious Sherry Wine Cake Recipe

I’m a white wine lover. So when I first heard of Sherry Wine Cake, I was all, “Hell yes!”

While I don’t drink a lot of sherry, the fortified wine seemed like it was straight out of the ’70s just like this dessert.

So, of course, I had to try my hand at making this wine cake recipe for Christmas a few years ago.

It’s now part of my holiday tradition and one of my all-time favorite easy desserts. Because who doesn’t want to eat a wine bundt cake?!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, I earn from qualifying purchases by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. I also participate in other affiliate programs for other retailers. This post was first published on December 8, 2014. 

My Go-To Sherry Wine Cake Recipe for Christmas

Wine cake seems like the perfect girl’s night dessert idea. But when you taste it, you realize it’s the perfect Christmas breakfast idea.

The nutmeg makes this Sherry Wine Cake Recipe a perfect holiday cake.

Of course, you can eat it other times of day too, (it would be fantastic after dinner with a cup of coffee).

Don’t worry if you have kids, the alcohol cooks out during baking and you are left with a super flavorful, moist white wine bundt cake.

This wine cake recipe with sherry doesn’t have frosting. A simple dusting of powdered sugar is all you need to finish this dessert.

It reminds me of snow. Sadly, its the only snow we see in this part of Southern California. 

How to Make Sherry Wine Cake

This sherry cake recipe couldn’t be easier! While it’s great at the holidays, it is also a great dessert to serve year-round.

Ingredients for wine cake:

• 1 box Yellow Cake Mix
• 1 small (3.4 oz) box Vanilla Pudding
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup oil
• 3/4 cup Sherry Wine
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• powdered sugar for dusting

I love that this recipe starts with a boxed cake mix as the base. It keeps things super quick and easy.

The vanilla pudding gives it richness and helps boost the vanilla flavor of the cake. Then you add fresh nutmeg and sherry wine and magic happens.

There is nothing better than nutmeg in baked goods. Especially at the holidays. 

What is Sherry Wine?

I’ll be honest. I don’t know much about sherry wine. Sherry is a fortified wine. It adds a depth of flavor to the cake that is really lovely.

Most are darker in color, similar to a maple syrup. There is sometimes a warm almond-like note in the smell. 

Sherry tends to be higher in alcohol content than traditional wine. 

And unlike using other types of alcohol in baking (check out my Rum Cake recipe), there isn’t a harsh alcohol flavor.

Between the wine and the pudding, the cake is moist and flavorful! 

What is Fortified Wine? 

When a wine is fortified, it means a spirit, usually Brandy, is added before fermentation of the wine is completed. It makes it a little sweeter and has a really nice, warm flavor that has lots of body. 

Fortified wines are becoming trendy to serve as an aperitif in some restaurants. It’s delicious chilled with a large ice cube and a citrus twist. 

Fortified wines are way more flavorful than traditional white wine. I think they are great for cooking and baking with for that reason. 

Tasting Table has an article you can check out if you want more info about fortified wines.

Can you Buy Sherry at the Grocery Store? 

I bought the one in the photos for this recipe at my local grocery store. It was in the wine section. Look for it near the Vermouth and Lillet.

But the bottle I previously used was bought at a wine shop and had a hint of orange to it that I really enjoyed.

Best Sherry Wine for Christmas Cake

There are tons of different varieties of sherry wine to use for your Christmas cake. And I can’t see how you could go wrong with any of them.

I am guessing that your local grocery staff won’t know which brand to suggest to you. And I really can’t either.

Again, I don’t think you can go wrong with that you’ll find on the shelf. 

It comes in a variety of price points so choose what you feel comfortable with.

You can drink Sherry on its own so consider that when you are buying one. 

I bought this bundt pan specifically for this sherry bundt cake recipe. I can’t believe I didn’t have one before!

I love that it basically decorates the cake for you. I’m not that great with making pretty baked goods so this pan does all the heavy lifting which is awesome.

The shape, plus the powdered sugar, make this super easy and pretty to serve.

Now that I have the pan, a wine bundt cake is my go-to hostess gift during the holidays.

White Wine Cake is SO Easy

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix dry cake mix and dry pudding with a hand mixer.
2. Add oil and Sherry wine.
3. Beat at high speed to mix well.
4. Add in one egg at a time, beating in between each egg.
5. Beat for about 5 more minutes after the last egg.
6. Add nutmeg.
7. Oil and flour a Bundt pan and pour in batter.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes and test.
9. Watch carefully – do not over bake.
10. Turn out of Bundt pan immediately.
11. Let cool completely.
12. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
13. Then eat your face off.

This delicious Christmas cake makes your house will smell AMAZING!The cake, once inverted, is a dark, gingerbready color. The house smells of nutmeg and vanilla. And Christmas.

Simply top it with powdered sugar and dig in. This is a great cake to bring to a holiday party because it is totally unexpected.

It’s straight out of the 70’s and people LOVE anything nostalgic!

(This pink strawberry angel food cake dessert is my most pinned recipe because it reminds everyone of when their grandma used to make it!)

It’s always a good time for wine cake!Have you ever had a wine cake before? Sherry Wine Cake might be my favorite dessert ever!

Printable Recipe for Sherry Wine Cake

More nostalgic dessert ideas:

• Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
• The Easiest Strawberry Cake
• Small Batch Cookie Bars

Pin This Wine Cake Recipe for Later

This Sherry Wine Cake is such a fun dessert idea! It’s easy to make and even easier to eat!

And it’s the perfect thing to serve your guests at Christmas. 

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