Description
Red velvet Christmas tree cake weaves festive magic into a classic dessert, creating a showstopping centerpiece for holiday celebrations. Rich cocoa-infused layers draped in cream cheese frosting deliver delightful seasonal cheer you’ll treasure with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp red food coloring
Wet and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking soda
Frosting and Decoration:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
- White sprinkles or edible pearls
- Chocolate tree-shaped mold or piping bag for tree design
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a tree-shaped cake pan or standard cake pan with cooking spray and flour coating.
- Sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring no lumps remain.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar until smooth and evenly blended.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to prevent overmixing.
- Incorporate baking soda into the batter, mixing until fully integrated and creating a vibrant red color.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly and tapping the pan to release any air bubbles.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with minimal crumbs.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for thorough cooling.
- Prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating softened cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate green food coloring into the frosting, adjusting the shade to achieve a festive tree-like color.
- Once the cake is completely cooled, frost the entire surface with the green cream cheese mixture.
- Create tree-like texture by using a piping bag or spatula to form textured, layered branches.
- Decorate with white sprinkles or edible pearls to mimic snow and add a festive winter touch.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving to allow frosting to set and flavors to meld.
Notes
- Choose high-quality cocoa powder for a rich, deep flavor that enhances the red velvet’s signature taste.
- Ensure ingredients are at room temperature to create a smoother, more uniform cake batter.
- Room-temperature eggs blend more easily and help create a lighter, more tender cake texture.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake – mix just until ingredients are combined.
- Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant red color that doesn’t water down the batter.
- Check cake doneness by gently pressing the center – it should spring back when touched.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- Refrigerate cake for easier frosting and to help stabilize the cream cheese icing.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg