Festive Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cake Recipe: A Holiday Delight

Unwrapping a magical red velvet christmas tree cake brings festive cheer right to your kitchen table.

Layers of crimson-hued goodness promise a delightful celebration.

Soft, velvety textures melt in your mouth with each delectable bite.

Decorative frosting transforms this dessert into a winter wonderland centerpiece.

Holiday baking becomes an art form with this stunning creation.

Sweet memories await as you craft this memorable treat.

You’ll fall in love with every slice of festive joy.

Whip up this stunning cake and watch smiles bloom like winter snowflakes.

FAQs

• How do I prevent my red velvet cake from being dry?

Use room temperature ingredients, don’t overmix the batter, and check cake doneness with a toothpick. Remove from oven immediately when it comes out clean to maintain moisture.

• Can I substitute buttermilk in the recipe?

Yes, you can make a buttermilk substitute by mixing 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

• What type of food coloring works best for red velvet cake?

Gel food coloring provides a more vibrant red color without adding extra liquid to the batter. Use gel-based red food coloring for the most intense color.

• Why does the recipe use vinegar and baking soda together?

The combination creates a chemical reaction that helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy. The vinegar also enhances the cake’s tender texture and bright red color.

Tree Cake That Turns Red Velvet Into a Holiday Statement

• Whip Up Holiday Magic: Create a stunning Christmas dessert that transforms classic red velvet cake into a festive tree-shaped masterpiece perfect for spreading seasonal cheer.
• Craft with Ease: Simple decorating techniques make this cake achievable for bakers of all skill levels, allowing everyone to create a showstopping holiday centerpiece without professional training.
• Delightful Crowd-Pleaser: Combines beloved red velvet flavor with creative design, making it an irresistible treat that will wow family and friends at holiday gatherings, potlucks, and Christmas celebrations.
• Personalize Your Masterpiece: Flexible decorating options let you customize ornaments, colors, and embellishments, turning each cake into a unique edible work of art that reflects your personal style.

Spinach Ricotta Bites Ingredient List

Main Ingredients:

• Flour: Fine powder for cake structure.
• Sugar: Sweetens and enhances cake texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Provides rich chocolate flavor.
• Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Balances sweet flavors.

• Vegetable Oil: Keeps cake moist and tender.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds richness.
• Buttermilk: Creates tender crumb and subtle tang.
• Red Food Coloring: Gives signature red velvet color.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet flavor.
• White Vinegar: Activates baking soda for lift.

• Cream Cheese: Provides creamy, tangy base.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens frosting.

• Fondant, Edible Beads, Edible Glitter, Gold Star: Creates festive Christmas tree design.

Baking Guide for Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat the oven to a toasty 350°F. Grab your cake pans and give them a light coating of grease, then line the bottoms with parchment paper to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Cocoa powder

Whisk these ingredients together until they’re perfectly blended.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Buttermilk
• Red food coloring
• Vanilla extract
• White vinegar

Make sure everything is mixed until smooth and vibrant.

Step 4: Create Cake Batter

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until the batter becomes silky and uniform in color. Don’t overmix – you want a tender cake!

Step 5: Bake the Cake Layers

Divide the batter evenly among three cake pans. Slide them into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The cakes are done when a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool completely.

Step 6: Whip Up Cream Cheese Frosting

In a mixer, cream together butter and cream cheese until they’re light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract for extra flavor.

Step 7: Shape the Tree

Trim the cake layers to create a flat surface. Stack the layers, spreading frosting between each one. Carefully carve the edges to create a tapered tree shape.

Step 8: Frost the Cake

Apply a thin base layer of frosting to seal in the crumbs. Then, use a piping bag with a star tip to create a textured green frosting that mimics pine needles.

Step 9: Add Festive Decorations

• Fondant ornaments
• Edible pearl beads
• Edible glitter
• A golden star topper

Arrange the decorations to create a magical Christmas tree effect.

Cake Tips for Shaping a Red Velvet Tree Just Right

• Prevent Color Bleeding: Use gel food coloring instead of liquid to achieve a vibrant red without thinning the batter. Gel concentrates provide richer color with less liquid.
• Layer Like a Pro: Refrigerate cake layers for 30 minutes before frosting to minimize crumbs and create cleaner, sharper edges when shaping the tree.
• Master Cake Stability: Insert thin dowel rods through the cake's center to keep layers aligned and prevent sliding during decoration and transport.
• Frost with Finesse: Use a bench scraper for smooth, even frosting application. Chill the cake between frosting layers to set the cream cheese frosting perfectly.
• Create Textured Branches: Use an offset spatula or textured piping tip to create realistic tree branch patterns when applying green frosting decorations.

Store Red Velvet Cake Without Losing Moisture

• Store covered cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying and absorbing other food odors.
• Slice cake before freezing for easier portioning. Place individual slices in freezer-safe containers or wrap securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze up to 2 months.
• Remove cake from freezer and let sit in refrigerator overnight. Bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore optimal texture and flavor.
• Warm individual slices in microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out cream cheese frosting. Add a small dollop of fresh frosting if needed to refresh moistness.

Hawaiian Crock-Pot Chicken Side Matches

• Festive Flavor Companions: Delectable Pairings
• Sip Sparkling Wine: Crisp champagne or prosecco cuts through the cake's richness, enhancing the sweet red velvet experience with elegant bubbles.
• Serve Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Creamy, cool mint chocolate complements the cake's warm spices and creates a classic Christmas flavor harmony.
• Plate with Cranberry Compote: Tart cranberry sauce provides a bright, tangy contrast to the sweet cream cheese frosting, balancing the dessert's richness.
• Pair with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Smooth, cold vanilla ice cream melts beautifully against the warm cake, adding creamy texture and cooling undertones.

Spinach Ricotta Bite Appetizer Options

• Gluten-Free Holiday Tree Cake: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to create a celiac-friendly version without compromising taste or texture.
• Vegan Christmas Tree Dessert: Replace eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter and cream cheese alternatives, and select dairy-free milk to craft a completely plant-based festive cake.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Cake: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reduce food coloring amount, and use sugar-free cream cheese frosting for a diabetic-friendly option.
• Nut-Free Festive Cake: Ensure all ingredients are nut-free, carefully checking labels for potential cross-contamination, making this dessert safe for those with nut allergies.

Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive holiday magic springs to life with this Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cake, a delightful dessert that blends rich crimson layers with creamy frosting. Sweet memories and seasonal cheer combine in a dessert you’ll treasure and share with loved ones.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (300 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk
• 2 large eggs

Flavor and Color Enhancers:

• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Craft the vibrant red velvet base by thoroughly blending dry ingredients like flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a spacious mixing vessel.
2. Whisk liquid components including vegetable oil, eggs, buttermilk, crimson food coloring, pure vanilla essence, and white vinegar in a separate container until seamlessly integrated.
3. Merge wet and dry mixtures, stirring gently to create a uniform, silky batter without overmixing to maintain cake’s delicate texture.
4. Distribute the rouge-hued batter evenly across three meticulously greased 6-inch circular pans, ensuring uniform depth for consistent baking.
5. Slide pans into a preheated 350°F oven, allowing cakes to transform for approximately 25-30 minutes until a slender testing implement emerges clean.
6. Extract cakes and permit complete cooling on wire racks, preventing moisture condensation that could compromise structural integrity.
7. Prepare luxurious cream cheese frosting by whipping room-temperature butter and cream cheese until achieving cloudlike consistency and volume.
8. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, blending deliberately to prevent lumps, then introduce vanilla extract for enhanced aromatic complexity.
9. Sculpt cake layers by carefully trimming surfaces, creating a symmetrical, tapered silhouette reminiscent of an evergreen tree.
10. Apply initial frosting layer as a crumb-sealing foundation, ensuring smooth, pristine surface for subsequent decoration.
11. Utilize verdant-tinted frosting and a decorative star-tipped piping tool to construct textural tree-like patterns, mimicking pine needle clusters.
12. Embellish with delicate fondant ornaments, shimmering edible pearls, subtle glitter accents, and a golden star crowning the festive creation.

Notes

• Customize cake color by adjusting food coloring intensity for desired festive shade.
• Ensure ingredients are room temperature for smoother cake batter and better mixing.
• Prevent dry cake by not overmixing batter and checking doneness with toothpick test.
• Keep frosting chilled to maintain sturdy decorative piping and tree structure.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 33 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg