If you’re looking for a holiday bake that instantly fills your home with the smell of Christmas, this traditional German Glühwein Cake is exactly what you need. It’s a soft, tender chocolate-spice loaf made with real mulled wine, warm winter spices, ground nuts, and little bits of melted chocolate in every bite. In Germany, this cake is a December classic — the kind of recipe everyone’s grandmother has in her handwritten book. Today, we’re giving it a modern, easy, and incredibly cozy version you can bake in one bowl and enjoy all season long.

This Mulled Wine Cake is the perfect treat for cold winter evenings. The flavor is deep, aromatic, and comforting without being overly sweet. The addition of red wine (or alcohol-free punch) adds moisture and a subtle fruitiness, while cocoa, spices, and dark chocolate create that rich, festive flavor you want in a winter bake. And the best part? Once you stir everything together, the oven does the rest.

Whether you’re new to German baking or already love classics like gingerbread and Stollen, this Glühwein Cake is an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that fits every holiday gathering. It also travels well, keeps its moisture for days, and tastes even better on the second day — making it perfect for gifting, brunch tables, or cozy nights in.

Why You’ll love this Glühwein Cake:

• Authentic German flavor: This cake uses Glühwein, the traditional spiced red wine served at German Christmas markets. It adds moisture, depth, and natural warmth to the cake.
• Super easy batter: No complicated steps. You simply cream butter and sugar, add the eggs, mix in dry ingredients, and stir in the mulled wine.
• Holiday spice blend: Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, and orange peel give this cake its unmistakable Christmas aroma.
• Chocolate in every bite: Cocoa powder deepens the flavor, while shaved or grated chocolate melts into little pockets of richness.
• Stays moist for days: Like most spice cakes, this loaf gets even better overnight as the flavors meld together.
• Optional alcohol-free version: Easily replace mulled wine with non-alcoholic punch for a family-friendly loaf.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Glühwein Cake:

• Butter: Creates a rich, tender crumb and carries the warm spices beautifully.
• Brown sugar: Adds depth, moisture, and a caramel-like note that pairs perfectly with red wine.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and create structure.
• Flour & baking powder: The base of the cake, giving it its soft texture.
• Ground almonds or hazelnuts: Add moisture, richness, and a slightly nutty flavor — classic for German winter bakes.
• Cocoa powder: Gives the cake a subtle chocolate background without overpowering the spices.
• Glühwein (mulled wine): The star ingredient! Adds flavor, moisture, and seasonal aroma.
• Glühwein spice mix: Typically includes cinnamon, cloves, orange zest, ginger, and cardamom.
• Dark chocolate shavings: Melt just slightly during baking and create tiny pockets of richness.
• Powdered sugar & mulled wine: For the simple pinkish-tinted glaze.

For making the Glühwein Cake, here are the essential tools you’ll need:

• Mixing bowls: one for creaming the butter and sugar, another for combining the dry ingredients.
• Hand mixer or stand mixer: helps whip the butter mixture until light and fluffy.
• Whisk: ideal for blending flour, cocoa, spices, and ground nuts evenly.
• Rubber spatula: perfect for folding the batter gently without overmixing.
• Loaf pan (22–24 cm / 9×5-inch): gives the Glühwein cake its classic shape.
• Parchment paper: ensures the cake releases cleanly and prevents sticking.
• Cooling rack: helps the cake cool evenly before glazing.
• Small bowl: for mixing the mulled wine glaze until perfectly smooth.
• Sieve: to sift powdered sugar for a lump-free glaze.
• Sharp knife: to slice the cooled cake into clean, even pieces.

Here is the full Recipe for the Glühwein Cake:

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 190 g butter, soft (¾ cup)
• 150 g brown sugar (¾ cup)
• 3 medium eggs
• 250 g all-purpose flour (2 cups)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 50 g ground almonds or hazelnuts (½ cup)
• 20 g cocoa powder (3 tbsp)
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 ½ tsp mulled wine spice (Glühweingewürz)
• 150 ml mulled wine (⅔ cup)
• 70 g grated dark chocolate (½ cup)

For the Glaze:

• 160 g powdered sugar (1 ⅓ cups)
• 4 tbsp mulled wine

Directions:

1. Prepare the pan: Grease a 22–24 cm (9×5-inch) loaf pan and dust with flour or line with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 175°C / 350°F.
2. Cream butter & sugar: Beat the soft butter with the brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs: Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, ground nuts, cocoa powder, salt, and mulled wine spice.
5. Add dry mix & mulled wine: Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in two parts, alternating with the mulled wine. Mix only until combined – do not overmix.
6. Fold in the chocolate: Gently fold in the grated dark chocolate.
7. Bake: Pour the batter into the loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45 minutes, covering lightly with foil near the end if it browns too quickly. Perform a toothpick test.
8. Cool & glaze: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely. Mix powdered sugar with mulled wine until smooth and pour over the cooled cake.

Tips and Tricks:

Tips for a perfect Glühwein Cake:

• Use room-temperature ingredients: Cold butter or eggs can cause the cake to bake unevenly.
• Don’t overmix: The batter should be just combined to keep it light.
• Let it cool completely before glazing: This ensures the glaze sets beautifully.
• Make it ahead: This cake tastes even better the next day.
• Spice it your way: You can use German Glühwein spice or gingerbread spice.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with whipped cream
• Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Pair with coffee, tea, or – of course – a mug of warm Glühwein
• Dust with extra cocoa or powdered sugar

Storage & Make-Ahead

This cake keeps exceptionally well.
Store it wrapped at room temperature for 3–4 days, or freeze slices for up to 3 months. The glaze stays soft but won’t run once set.

More Baking Ideas:

• Strawberries & Cream Cookies – Soft, buttery cookies infused with fresh strawberries and a velvety cream filling – the ultimate summer treat!
• White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies -Delight in the perfect balance of sweet white chocolate and tart raspberries with every bite of these irresistible cookies.
• Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies -These zesty lemon cookies with a hint of poppy seed crunch will brighten up your day with a refreshing burst of flavor.
• Lemon Cheesecake Cookies with Blueberry Curd – Bright, tangy, and irresistibly creamy, these Lemon Cheesecake Cookies with Blueberry Curd are a zesty delight topped with a luscious blueberry swirl. Perfect for citrus lovers looking for a sweet twist!

Watch the recipe video here. Let’s get to baking! Here is the full recipe:

Summary

Recipe Name

Glühwein Cake

Author Name

Isabel

Published On

2025-11-23