why make this recipe

Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake brings the festive joy of holiday treats right into your kitchen. This cake captures the essence of Christmas with its delightful shape, creamy frosting, and sweet taste. Making this cake at home not only saves you a trip to the store, but it also allows you to customize it to your liking. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy impressing family and friends with a homemade dessert during the holidays?

how to make Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, room temperature
4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (for frosting)
5 cups confectioner’s sugar
4-5 tbsp. heavy whipping cream
3 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. green sugar sprinkles
2-3 drops red gel food dye

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease and line a 9" x 13" pan with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a larger bowl, beat the room-temperature butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently.
Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Spread it evenly and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Let it cool for 5 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
Repeat the greasing and lining steps in the same pan and bake the remaining batter for the second cake.
Once both cakes are cooled, wrap them in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for an hour.
For the buttercream, beat the room-temperature butter and confectioner’s sugar in a mixer. Slowly add in the heavy cream until smooth. Then mix in the vanilla and salt.
Cut the cooled cakes into a Christmas tree shape using a stencil for perfect edges. Save any scraps for other treats.
Place one cake on your serving dish, frost the top with buttercream, and place the second cake on top.
Apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream around the entire cake and refrigerate for one hour.
After chilling, frost the cake with a thicker layer of buttercream, using a spatula for a smooth finish.
Dye about 1/4 of the buttercream red and decorate the cake with green sprinkles and red lines. Enjoy your festive creation!

how to serve Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake

Serve your Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake on a festive platter. Slice it up and enjoy with family and friends during a holiday gathering. It pairs wonderfully with hot cocoa or coffee for a cozy touch.

how to store Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you’re not going to eat it within that time, refrigerate it, where it can last up to a week. Make sure to cover it well to keep it fresh.

tips to make Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake

Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature for the best texture.
Don’t overmix the batter when combining wet and dry ingredients; this keeps the cake light and fluffy.
Chill the cakes well before frosting so the buttercream goes on smoothly.
Use a clean knife or spatula when cutting the cakes to ensure clean edges.

variation

For a chocolate version, you can add cocoa powder to the cake batter and adjust the flour amount accordingly. Also, try using different colors for the frosting and sprinkles to customize the cake for different occasions throughout the year.

FAQs

Can I use a cake mix instead of making it from scratch?
Yes, you can use a box cake mix as an easier alternative, following the instructions on the package and then proceeding with the frosting and decorating.

Can I freeze the cake?
Absolutely! Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. It can last up to three months in the freezer.

What can I use if I don’t have buttermilk?
You can substitute buttermilk by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for a few minutes to curdle before using.