Japanese Christmas Cake Recipe - The Fluffy 'Kurisumasu Keki'

As a Christmas-obsessed foodie who adores all things Asian, discovering the Japanese Christmas Cake recipe felt like stumbling upon something my childhood self would have dreamed of eating on Christmas Eve, and honestly, any little girl would want this on her birthday too.

I came across this tradition on a random 2 a.m. tiktok doomscroll session, and I have no regrets cause Kurisumasu Keki (クリスマスケーキ) stole my heart. Here's all you need to know about this Yuletide sponge cake tradition in Japan.

What is Japanese Christmas Cake?

Japanese Christmas Cake is a light, fluffy Japanese sponge cake layered with fresh cream and bright red strawberries. It's the same as modern strawberry shortcake but a spongier version, and the complete opposite of the dense fruity Christmas cake that we've known all our lives.

Like Thailand's Luk Chup and China's Mooncake, Japanese Christmas Cake is one of its own.

History of Japanese Christmas Cake

Japan obviously didn’t traditionally celebrate Christmas, but it embraced it in its own unique way during the 20th century. The origin of the Japanese Christmas Cake dates back to the 1910s, when the bakery chain Fujiya started selling simple sponge cakes inspired by European pastries.

After World War II, as Japan’s economy recovered, cake with whipped cream became a symbol of prosperity. During the 1950s and 60s, owning a refrigerator (so you could store fresh cream desserts) became a sign of middle-class success.

Because Christmas was considered a cheerful, Western-style celebration of happiness, Japanese families began buying this 'Kurisumasu Keki' for the occasion.

By the 1970s, Kurisumasu Keki had become a national staple, not just limited to Christmas. Today, nearly every bakery in Japan sells its own version of the iconic Christmas treat.

How to make Japanese Christmas Cake - Recipe

This famous Japanese strawberry cake is very easy to make. Unlike authentic Christmas Cake, you can make Japanese Christmas cake anytime of the year, and it's not too sweet so you can have more than a slice at once and not worry too much about seasonal calorie gain. Here's the recipe:

Serving: 6-8 slices

Ingredients

For the Japanese Sponge Cake

• 4 large eggs (room temperature)

• 120g (½ cup) sugar (can be adjusted to your liking)

• 120g (1 cup) cake flour (sifted)

• 30g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter (melted)

• 2 tbsp milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)

For the Whipped Cream Frosting

• 350ml heavy cream (chilled)

• 3 tbsp sugar

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

For the Filling & Decoration

• 2–3 cups fresh strawberries

• Powdered sugar (optional)

How to make:

1. Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F).

2. Line the bottom of a 7-inch (18 cm) round cake pan with parchment paper.

3. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, whisk the eggs and sugar for 8–10 minutes until the mixture triples in volume, becomes pale, and forms ribbons when lifted.

4. Gently sift in the cake flour in three parts, folding slowly to keep the batter airy.

5. In a separate bowl, mix melted butter, milk, vanilla, and lemon zest. Add a spoonful of batter into this mixture to lighten it, then fold it back into the main batter.

6. Pour the batter into the pan and tap lightly to remove large air bubbles.

7. Bake for 25–28 minutes until the top is golden and springs back when touched.

8. Cool completely before slicing.

9. Prepare your whipped cream frosting separately

10. Slice straeberries and set aside.

Assemble your Kurisumasu Keki

1. Slice the cooled sponge into two layers.

2. Spread a thin layer of whipped cream over the bottom layer.

3. Add sliced strawberries generously.

4. Place the top sponge layer back on.

5. Frost the entire cake with whipped cream.

6. Decorate with whole strawberries on top.

7. Chill for 2–3 hours before serving

Is Japanese Christmas Cake Halal?

Yes. Unlike traditional Christmas cake which has alchohol, Japanese Christmas Cake doesn't. It's just strawberry shortcake so you have nothing to worry about. However, this spong cake is not vegan, so if you're a vegan, the best option is to make it at home by substituting animal produce to plant-based ones.

Japanese Christmas Traditions

Down this rabbit hole, I came across a set of traditions that Japanese follow during Christmas. Though Japan is an Asian country, it follows many Western and European celebration with their own twists.

One of the most iconic traditions is the famous KFC Christmas dinner. This is so common among Japanese locals that families even preorder their buckets weeks in advance. It’s quirky and strange, and completely part of the holiday charm.

Colonel Sanders Santa in Japan - Source: Flickr

Christmas markets are also a big thing in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Sapporo. These are not as sophisticated as European Christmas markets, but you'll find wooden stalls, mulled wine, German sausages, handcrafted ornaments, and shimmering winter illuminations that make every market feel straight out of a holiday postcard.

But behind the festive lights, The Japanese are quitely preparing for Oshōgatsu (New Year) like most of us, but with more soul. Unlike the Chinese and South Koreans, Japan doesn't celebrate lunar new year.

So December becomes a month of house-cleaning, shopping for osechi ingredients, writing nengajo cards, and decorating homes with kadomatsu and shimekazari for the 1st of January.

Of course, no Japanese December is complete without Christmas decorations, twinkling trees, kawaii ornaments, elaborate store displays, and citywide light shows that make even a simple evening walk feel magical.

Where to buy Japanese Christmas Cake

Source: Wikimedia Commons

If you're in Japan, you can find this delicious sweet treat from tiny neighbourhood patisseries to major chains like Fujiya, Lawson, and FamilyMart. If you're in China or South Korea, you'll be able to find strawberry cream cake in regular bakeries.

Or like me, you can make it easily at home. After all, it isn't as complex as a traditional Christmas cake.

Conclusion

The Japanese Christmas Cake is more than just a dessert, it represents how global traditions can be uniquely adapted into heartwarming local traditions. Whether you’re celebrating at home or traveling through Japan in December, this cake adds a soft, sweet touch to the season.

It doesn't matter if you're there or not. If you're looking to try something new for your Christmas table, Japanese Christmas cake would be an interesting choice.

If you're interested in articles related to Japan, you'll find these good reads:

• Why is Korean Ramen better than Instant Japanese Ramen?

• Is The Cup Noodle Museum in Japan Worth Visiting in 2025?

• Japan's Century-Old Oden: What does Japanese Oden taste like?

• What is Laver Seaweed (Nori): All you need to know about it