Christmas Tree Cake

Why Make This Recipe

The Christmas Tree Cake is a delightful centerpiece for any holiday gathering. Its festive design and warm spice flavors bring joy to both kids and adults. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply looking for a fun baking project, this cake adds a special touch to your celebrations.

How to Make Christmas Tree Cake

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp fine salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup full-fat sour cream, room temperature
• 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• Green gel food coloring
• 3 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• 1 tsp fine salt
• 10 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature
• Green, yellow, and red gel food coloring
• Serrated knife
• Spinning cake stand
• Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
• 8-inch greaseproof cake board
• Small offset spatula
• Thick bubble tea straw or wooden dowel
• 2 large piping bags
• 3 small piping bags
• 1 open star piping tip
• 1 large French piping tip
• 2 small round piping tips
• 1 small French piping tip

Directions

Spice Cake Layers:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg together.
3. Add the room temperature butter and mix until crumbly.
4. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and mix with sour cream, apple sauce, oil, and vanilla until combined.
5. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture and mix until smooth.
6. Divide the batter into prepared baking pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Once baked, let the cakes cool completely.

Buttercream Frosting:
8. While the cakes cool, make the buttercream. Beat the unsalted butter until smooth and creamy.
9. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, mixing until well combined.
10. Add the heavy cream and mix until the frosting is light and fluffy.
11. Add green gel food coloring until you reach your desired shade.

Assembling This Christmas Tree Cake:
12. Once the cakes are cool, trim the tops to level them.
13. Stack the cakes with a layer of buttercream in between each layer.
14. Use the serrated knife to carve the cake into a tree shape.
15. Frost the entire cake with the green buttercream.
16. Decorate the tree with colored frosting using piping bags and tips to create ornaments and garlands.

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How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake

Slice the Christmas Tree Cake into wedges and serve on festive plates. It pairs beautifully with hot cocoa, coffee, or tea. You can also add some extra decorations like edible glitter or sprinkles for a special touch.

How to Store Christmas Tree Cake

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. You can refrigerate it for up to a week, or freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic for up to two months.

Tips to Make Christmas Tree Cake

• Ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing.
• Use a serrated knife for cleaner cuts when shaping the cake.
• Don’t rush the cooling process; cakes should be completely cool before frosting.

Variation

You can customize the flavors by adding different spices or using chocolate cake layers instead. For a fun twist, add chopped nuts or dried fruits into the batter.

FAQs

Can I make the cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cake layers a day in advance and frost it the day you plan to serve.

How do I achieve a darker green color for the buttercream?
Add more green gel food coloring in small amounts until you get the desired shade.

Can I use oil instead of butter in the cake recipe?
Yes, you can replace the butter with an equal amount of oil for a lighter texture.