why make this recipe

The Christmas Tree Cake is a delightful and festive dessert that brings joy to holiday celebrations. Its unique shape and vibrant colors make it a showstopper on any table. This cake is not only visually appealing but also delicious, combining warm spices with rich buttercream frosting. Making this cake can be a fun activity for families and friends, allowing everyone to join in decorating and creating a memorable centerpiece for Christmas gatherings.

how to make Christmas Tree Cake

Ingredients :

3 cups all-purpose flour (375g)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300g)
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar (300g)
2 1/2 tsp baking powder (10g)
1 tsp fine salt (6g)
2 tsp ground cinnamon (6g)
1 tsp ground ginger (3g)
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (2g)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
4 large eggs, room temperature (224g)
1 cup full-fat sour cream, room temperature (255g)
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce (90g)
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil (105g)
1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (4g)
Green gel food coloring
3 cups unsalted butter, room temperature (678g)
1 Tbsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (12g)
1 tsp fine salt (3g)
10 cups powdered sugar (1250g)
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature (120g)
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 (like a Wilton 1M)
1 Large French piping tip (like a Wilton 6B)
2 Small round piping tips (like a Wilton 10)
1 Small French piping tip

Directions :

Spice Cake Layers:

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

Buttercream Frosting:

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

Assembling This Christmas Tree Cake:

Once the cakes are cool, trim the tops to level them.
Stack the cakes with a layer of buttercream in between each layer.
Use the serrated knife to carve the cake into a tree shape.
Frost the entire cake with the green buttercream.
Decorate the tree with colored frosting using piping bags and tips to create ornaments and garlands.

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 to enhance its holiday charm.

how to store Christmas Tree Cake

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. For longer storage, consider freezing individual slices, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for up to two months.

tips to make Christmas Tree Cake

Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature for the best mixing.
When frosting, use a spinning cake stand which makes it easier to apply an even coat.
Don’t rush the decoration; have fun with it! Let your creativity shine with the frosting and colors.
If possible, prepare the cake layers a day in advance. They can be wrapped and refrigerated until you are ready to assemble.

variation

For a different flavor, you can replace the spices with chocolate cake and use chocolate frosting for a chocolate Christmas Tree Cake. You can also decorate it with candy canes or chocolate ornaments for a fun twist.

FAQs

Can I use other colors for the cake?
Yes, you can use different colors of gel food coloring to create a colorful holiday cake.

How can I make the cake gluten-free?
You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure other ingredients are also gluten-free.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the cake layers in advance and freeze them. Just let them thaw before frosting and decorating.