This mulled red wine cake has all the spicy, cozy flavors of the classic holiday drink! It’s gluten/grain/dairy free and BOOZY! What more could you want?
PIN Mulled Red Wine Cake
I did a thing.
I made cake batter with wine. Then I baked it. THEN I SOAKED IT IN A RUM AND WINE GLAZE.
Because cookies are good, but BOOZY CAKE? It IS BETTER.
I also added spiced mulled wine flavors to make it ULTRA festive and totally appropriate for any holiday where they may be a lot of family-antics, and you might just need a little extra somethin’ somethin’ to make everyone calm down.
Don’t lie. You already know what relative you’re going to be serving an EXTRA big slice of this wine cake recipe to.
There are times in life that you just feel really awesome about who you are, what you’ve become as an adult and where this crazy thing called life is taking you. Making this rum-and-wine-soaked cake, in all its SPICED and zesty-orange-y glory, IS YOUR MOMENT.
It’s like you’re being a master-baker AND mixologist all at the same time which, I think we can all agree on, is just the epitome of winning at adulting.
What is mulled wine?
Mulled wine is typically red wine (but can be white) that is infused with yummy, fall spices like cinnamon, cloves and star anise (just like when making chicken zoodle soup, this is key) and served warm. Typically, oranges are also simmered into the wine, to give it some sweetness and sometimes a sweetener is added. Sometimes you add brandy too!
Of course, we did that. I only had your annoying aunt Margaret in mind and it totally was NOT because I just wanted an extra boozy cake, I pinky promise.
But, I might have my toes crossed so that promise doesn’t count.
Before I take all the credit for making you the MVP of the adult world, I have to ‘fess up and tell you that this mulled red wine cake was actually not my idea. It was Mr. FFF’s.
When he isn’t too busy giving me very boring ideas OR ideas that are ONLY Cajun (Cajun Instant PotChili I am looking at you) he sometimes has this moment of clarity where I realize that his taste buds, liiike, actually work and are not totally and asleep, or are hibernating for the winter or something like that.
Mulled wine is sort of a special dealio to us, because we first tried it in Leavenworth (GOOGLE IT! SO cute) which is a little German town in Washington that we used to go to every Christmas before we moved.
We drank it on a horse-drawn carriage ride through the snowy forest and it was kinda-totally-completely MAGICAL.
And now, we love it and will drink it as soon as the temps drop below 75.
When he gave me this mulled wine cake, I immediately was A. excited because cake with booze and cake with my favorite mulled wine? I AM SO IN. but B. did not think that it would actually work because it would just be too amazing to exist on this world, and I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
But, liiike, you’ve had rum cake right? (please say yes, or I am SAD 4 U) It’s kinda exactly like that. BUT WITH WINE.
And brandy. And zesty orange sweetness and spicy-cinnamon, cloves and Chinese 5 spice! <– Which I actually didn’t add because I like to be creative and make things like five spice eggless vegan zucchini bread or healthy gluten free sweet potato muffins. I added it because Star Anise is the KEY player of this spice blend AND the KEY player of mulled wine.
So, this time? It makes sense because have you ever tried to find pre-ground solo-Star Anise?
TOO HARD.
Other things that make sense: having a slice of cake WITH a glass of mulled wine. Extra slice for crazy Aunt Margaret.
We’re going to get through the holidays one boozy bite at a time.
I also shared the mulled wine cake recipe on Food Fanatic, so be sure to check it out there!
Other Recipes You Might Like:
Mango Gluten Free Gingerbread Cake
Healthy Gluten Free Gingerbread Muffins
Spiced Paleo Cookies with Almond Butter
FOR THIS RECIPE, I RECOMMEND:
Weight Watchers Points Per Serving: Freestyle SmartPoints: 14. Points+: 8. Old Points: 7
(per 1/12 of the cake)
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Monica says
This recipe is incredibly cool! And your photos are the most delicious! I am delighted with your site and your culinary talent!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you SO much Monica!
Adrianne says
Wow, this is a fabulous cake and so perfect for the festive season. I love that you took it to that extent with the cab sav and your photography captures the beauty of this recipe. Thanks for the great quality on point to the brief recipe and I look forward to seeing more of your dishes. Cheers!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Jillian says
Perfect holiday cake – yum!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you!
Veena Azmanov says
Thank you very much for this delicious lovely recipe. Gluten free makes it so healthy. Sure to try this one. It looks so delicious.
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you!
Danielle says
What an amazing festive cake. I have never had mulled wine in a cake before.
Taylor Kiser says
You gotta try it! SO good!
Jacqueline Debono says
Love the idea of getting through the holiday season one boozy bite at a time! This mulled red wine cake looks and sounds Amazing with a capital A!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you so much!
Mirlene says
I am making this next week for Thanksgiving! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Taylor Kiser says
I hope you love it!!
Kelly Thompson says
Hi Taylor, this sounds delicious, but I don’t know much about brandy, what do you recommend for someone who’s gluten free?
Taylor Kiser says
Hi Kelly! Here’s a list of all the GF brands!https://urbantastebud.com/gluten-free-brandy-and-cognac-list/
Cassie Autumn Tran says
Not gonna lie, this looks like a beautified fruit cake–and I LOVE it. Star anise is a miracle worker in Vietnamese cuisine. It’s how the aromatic flavors of pho and many noodle soups achieve their glorious taste! This cake is probably a great way to integrate all kinds of unlikely ingredients like red wine and five spice. I’m sure it was a feast to behold on the eyes AND on everyone’s plates!
Taylor Kiser says
I LOVE star anise sooo much!! Thank you Cassie!