Study Abroad in Japan

With KCP International, you can earn more Japanese credit than you would in an entire year at your university. Plus, you can pick your start date!

Find out more

Learn Japanese Online

Immerse yourself in the heart of Tokyo with a wide variety of courses, flexible schedules and convenient packages you keep your experience easy!

Apply Now

Join Our Newsletter

Read all about Japanese immersion learning and studying abroad. Check out our eZasshi archives for more articles!

Christmas cake (Strawberry sponge cake)

Have a Taste of Scrumptious Japanese Christmas Cake

In Japan, a Christmas cake is a must-have during the holidays. Popularized in the 1970s and traditionally served on Christmas Eve, the cake is frosted with butter cream or whipped cream, decorated with strawberries, and often topped with chocolates and other fruits.

The first Christmas cakes produced in 1910 by Hujiya in Japan were said to be simple plum cakes decorated with silver balls and fondant. The introduction of shortcake in bakeshops gradually transitioned Christmas cakes from fruitcakes to shortcake.

Most Japanese Christmas cakes today are made with vanilla or white sponge cake, white icing, and strawberries. The cake is a favorite of most Japanese families. If you want to make your holidays a little more special by having a delicious Christmas cake as the centerpiece of your feast, here’s a simple recipe you can try.

Scrumptious Japanese Christmas Cake

Sponge cake

Ingredients:
2 eggs at room temperature
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 t. baking powder
1 c. sugar
½ c. milk
2 T butter

Pre-heat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Combine the flour and baking powder in a bowl. Beat the eggs with an electric mixer on high speed until thick. Decrease the speed of the mixer to medium and gradually add the sugar to the eggs. Continue mixing until it is light and fluffy.

Heat the milk and butter in a pan until the butter melts. Add the milk and butter mixture to the eggs with the mixer on medium speed, and finally add the flour and baking powder.

Transfer the cake mixture to a 9-in. greased cake pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until cake is golden brown.  Allow the cake to cool before you remove it from the cake pan.

Whipped cream for  the cake

Ingredients:
2 cups heavy whipped cream
Whipped cream stabilizer (use required amount according to package)
4 T confectioner’s sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix everything together and beat at high speed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few minutes.

You can cut the sponge cake into two or more layers depending on how you want to decorate it. Use fresh strawberries and other seasonal fresh fruits to top your Christmas cake. Let your imagination run wild!

Sign-up for our newsletter

Read all about Japanese immersion learning and studying abroad. Check out our eZasshi archives for more articles!