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Christmas Tree Cake recipe

Christmas Tree Cake Recipe

This delightful Christmas Tree Cake features a soft vanilla sponge topped with smooth, creamy vanilla buttercream. Adorned with beautifully decorated Christmas tree designs, it transforms into a festive winter wonderland, perfect for holiday celebrations.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Calories: 330kcal
Author: Anne Carter
Servings: 8

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt heaping, optional
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tbsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 tsp peppermint extract optional

For the Buttercream

  • 1.5 lb confectioners sugar
  • 1 lb unsalted butter
  • 1-2 tbsp heavy whipping cream If needed for consistency
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 5 drops green food coloring for the trees

For the Assembly

  • 12 ice cream cones

Instructions

For the Cake:

  • Butter and flour three 6-inch pans and preheat the oven to 340°F.
    Butter and Flour Cake Pans
  • Sift the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
    Sifting Dry Ingredients
  • In a separate bowl, beat the wet ingredients together.
    Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients
  • Combine the wet and dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.
    Beating Wet Ingredients for Christmas Tree Cake Batter
  • Divide the batter evenly into the pans (use a kitchen scale for even layers).
    Dividing Cake Batter into Pans for Christmas Tree Cake
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the centers are set and springy.
  • Let the cakes cool in the pans for 4 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
    Cooling the Cakes for Christmas Tree Cake

For the Frosting:

  • Cream the butter, then add sugar and mix on high.
    Creaming the Butter for Buttercream Frosting
  • Add vanilla and salt, and milk as needed for smooth consistency.
    Mixing Confectioners' Sugar and Vanilla for Buttercream Frosting
  • Divide the frosting into two batches and color one with green food coloring.
    Piping Trees onto Ice Cream Cones

For the Assembly:

  • Cut ice cream cones into various sizes and then cut them in half.
    Assembling the Christmas Tree Cake with Ice Cream Cone Trees
  • Pipe star-shaped dollops onto the cones using a number 30 piping tip.
    Finishing the Christmas Tree Cake with Confectioners' Sugar
  • Arrange the cone halves around the sides of the cake, then pipe more trees.
  • Sift confectioners' sugar on top and your Christmas Tree Cake is ready to serve!
    Finishing the Christmas Tree Cake with Confectioners' Sugar

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 250mg | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 0.7mg