Description
This delightful Christmas Tree Cake features a tender vanilla-flavored cake layered with rich vanilla buttercream frosting. The cake is creatively shaped into festive Christmas trees using ice cream cones and adorned with vibrant green buttercream to resemble a winter wonderland centerpiece perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1 2/3 cups all purpose flour (213g)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- 1/4 tsp baking soda (1g)
- 1 tsp baking powder (3g)
- 1/4 tsp salt (1g, heaping, optional)
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (176g, room temperature)
- 3 egg whites
- 1/2 cup sour cream (120g)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract (15mL)
- 1/2 cup whole milk (120mL)
- 1/2 tsp peppermint extract (optional, 2.5mL)
Buttercream Frosting
- 1.5 lb confectioners sugar (680g)
- 1 lb unsalted butter (454g)
- 1-2 tbsp heavy whipping cream (if needed for consistency)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (5mL)
- 5 drops green food coloring (for the trees)
Decoration
- 12 ice cream cones
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until combined. In a separate bowl, cream the unsalted butter until smooth and fluffy using a mixer, then gradually add the egg whites, sour cream, vanilla extract, milk, and peppermint extract (if using), mixing well. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a smooth batter forms.
- Bake the Cake Layers: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your baking pans or line them with parchment paper. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for approximately 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting: Using a mixer, beat the unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add the confectioners sugar until well combined. Mix in the vanilla extract. If the frosting is too stiff, add heavy whipping cream one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is achieved. Separate a portion of the frosting and add green food coloring to it for decorating the Christmas trees.
- Assemble the Christmas Tree Cake: Once the cakes are fully cooled, cut them into shapes as needed to stack around the ice cream cones or slice them to create layers resembling Christmas trees. Use the vanilla buttercream to frost between layers and to adhere the cake pieces. Frost the entire cake with a layer of vanilla buttercream as the base.
- Decorate the Trees: Pipe or spread the green colored buttercream onto the ice cream cones to mimic pine trees. Place these decorated cones upright on the cake or as standalone decorations. Add any additional festive decorations or edible glitter as desired to complete the winter wonderland effect.
- Serve: Chill the cake briefly to set the frosting before slicing into 8 generous servings, perfect for sharing during holiday festivities.
Notes
- This cake delivers a moist vanilla flavor combined with a creamy vanilla buttercream that makes it a standout holiday dessert.
- Using ice cream cones shaped with green buttercream frosting creates a charming Christmas tree effect that doubles as decoration and dessert.
- For a peppermint twist, include the optional peppermint extract in the cake batter for a subtle festive hint.
- If frosting consistency is too stiff, a small amount of heavy cream helps achieve a smooth piping texture.
- Ensure the cake layers are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting the buttercream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 31 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
