This Christmas Tree Cake is a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season. Imagine gathering your loved ones around a table filled with laughter, cheer, and the sweetest treat of all—a stunning Christmas Tree Cake! This cake not only looks incredible with its festive shape, but it also tastes amazing, blending flavors of vanilla and a hint of orange. It’s a fun baking project that lets everyone get involved, whether you’re frosting together or choosing decorations. Plus, you can customize it as much as you like—making it unique to your family’s holiday celebrations. So, roll up your sleeves, put on some holiday tunes, and let’s make some magic happen in the kitchen with this cheerful cake!
Why This Recipe Works
This Christmas Tree Cake recipe is so approachable that cooks of every level can jump right in. With straightforward ingredients, you don’t have to stress about complicated techniques. Warm milk, gently heated, blends seamlessly into the batter, guaranteeing a moist cake with a soft and tender crumb. That means every layer you stack up holds its shape while remaining light and airy. The beauty of this recipe is not just in how it bakes, but also how easy it is to assemble and decorate, perfect for those who want a festive dessert without the fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Tree Cake
When you set eyes on this Christmas Tree Cake, joy is inevitable. Its charming tree shape inspires smiles and excitement, while the lovely mix of vanilla and orange brings the holiday spirit right into your kitchen. Each bite is packed with nostalgic flavors, evoking memories of family gatherings and cheerful celebrations. The frosting is a canvas for creativity, inviting everyone to join in decorating the cake with fun toppings. What’s more, this project can become a heartwarming family tradition, creating lasting memories during the happiest time of the year.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour (or white whole wheat/gluten-free flour)
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 4 large eggs (50 grams each, at room temperature)
- 1 3/4 cups (350 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons orange extract (or almond extract)
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup (56 grams) unsalted butter, cut into pats
- 1/3 cup (67 grams) oil
- 16 ounces (450 grams) cream cheese
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 1/3 cups (160 grams) powdered sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
- 1 tablespoon Dutch-process cocoa powder
- M&Ms or other candy for decoration
Preparing the Cake
Bake the Cake
To kick things off, preheat your oven to 325°F (162°C). While that’s warming up, line a 9”x13” pan with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and baking powder. In a larger bowl, grab your mixer and beat those eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and orange extract for about 2 minutes until everything is light and thick. This mixing process helps incorporate air, leading to a fluffy cake.
Combine Mixtures
Now, slowly add your dry ingredients to the mixing bowl while keeping the mixer on low speed. Meanwhile, gently heat the milk and orange zest in a saucepan. Aim for small bubbles to form around the edges, which happens at about 180-185°F. Once you see that, remove it from the heat and stir in the butter and oil until everything is nicely melted.
Finalize the Batter
Next, slowly mix the warm milk concoction into the batter until everything is well combined. The warmth helps blend the ingredients beautifully. Once that’s done, pour the batter into your prepared pan. Pop it in the oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes. When a toothpick comes out clean, it’s time to cool it completely on a wire rack—give it about 2 hours to truly set up.
Making the Frosting
Prepare the Frosting
Let’s tackle the frosting! Begin by beating cream cheese and butter together until it’s super smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla extract, beating until your frosting is perfectly creamy. This step ensures that your frosting will hold its shape and taste heavenly.
Color the Frosting
Now comes the fun part: coloring the frosting! Divide it into separate bowls. To one bowl, mix in the cocoa powder (this will be for the trunk). In another bowl, add green food coloring for that classic tree look. You might want to brighten things up, so adjust the colors as needed for vibrancy.
Assembling the Christmas Tree Cake
Shape the Tree
After your cake has cooled, it’s time to create the shape of the Christmas tree. Cut a large triangle from the cooled cake. Then take the leftover pieces and rearrange them on a serving plate to form that tree shape again. This creative step makes the cake visually appealing as well as fun to put together.
Ice the Layers
Once you have your tree shape, grab that delightful green frosting and coat the entire cake. Remember to frost the bottom middle section with brown frosting to mimic the trunk of the tree. It’s these small details that truly bring the cake to life.
Decorate the Cake
Now for the cherry on top—decorating! Pipe white frosting for a “light wire” that adds some sparkle. Just before serving, add colorful candy or sprinkles for that festive touch. Let your imagination run wild and make it as lively as your celebrations!
Tips for Success
- Make sure your eggs are at room temperature; this leads to a better mix.
- Avoid overmixing after you add the dry ingredients, as this can make the cake dense.
- Consider making the frosting ahead of time and storing it in the fridge—it saves you time and stress.
Variations
For those looking to switch things up, consider substituting flavored extracts based on your preferences, like almond or lemon. If you’re feeling adventurous, mix cocoa powder into the cake batter for a deliciously chocolatey tree!
Storage Tips
If you find yourself with leftovers, no worries! The cake can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. It also freezes beautifully—wrap it tightly, and you can keep it for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this festive delight with hot cocoa or spiced tea to enhance the holiday vibes. For an extra indulgent treat, a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream pairs wonderfully with each slice.
FAQs
1. Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend, and you’ll be all set.
2. How can I store leftovers?
To keep it fresh, wrap leftover cake tightly and store it in the refrigerator.
3. Can I freeze this cake?
Yes, indeed! Just wrap slices tightly for up to 3 months for an easy dessert option whenever you crave it.
4. Is it possible to make the frosting in advance?
You bet! The frosting can be prepared a few days ahead and kept in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
5. How do I ensure the cake doesn’t dry out?
Simply watch the baking time closely; overbaking can lead to dryness, so cover it while cooling to retain moisture.
This Christmas Tree Cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s a centerpiece designed to evoke joy and warmth during the holiday season. Perfect for gatherings, it seamlessly combines festive aesthetics with delightful flavors, making it a cherished family tradition. Don’t forget to get creative with your decorations and enjoy the process of baking this magical treat!
Print
Christmas Tree Cake
This Christmas Tree Cake is a cheerful holiday treat, blending delicious vanilla and orange flavors. A fun, easy project for the whole family.
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour (or white whole wheat/gluten-free flour)
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 4 large eggs (50 grams each, at room temperature)
- 1 3/4 cups (350 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons orange extract (or almond extract)
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup (56 grams) unsalted butter, cut into pats
- 1/3 cup (67 grams) oil
- 16 ounces (450 grams) cream cheese
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 1/3 cups (160 grams) powdered sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
- 1 tablespoon Dutch-process cocoa powder
- M&Ms or other candy for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (162°C) and prepare a 9”x13” pan with parchment.
- Mix flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl.
- In a larger bowl, beat eggs, sugar, vanilla, and orange extract for 2 minutes.
- Slowly add dry ingredients to the mixture.
- Heat milk and orange zest until small bubbles form, then mix in butter and oil.
- Combine the warm milk mixture with the batter until well mixed.
- Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, then cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese and butter for frosting until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla.
- Divide frosting and mix in cocoa powder and green food coloring.
- Cut the cooled cake into a tree shape using a large triangle and arrange pieces.
- Frost the cake with green frosting and brown frosting for the trunk.
- Decorate with white frosting and colorful candy.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
Ensure eggs are at room temperature for better mixing.
Avoid overmixing after adding dry ingredients to keep the cake light.
Frosting can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 389
- Sugar: 33
- Sodium: 309
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 56
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 95
