Christmas Tree Cake
Impress guests this holiday season with this adorable Christmas Tree Cake recipe! It's festive, surprisingly easy to make, and perfect for everything from holiday parties to cozy family celebrations. With soft cake layers, fluffy frosting, and fun decorations, this cake looks adorable without being complicated!
Equipment
- multi-tier cake pan or 3 4" round cake pans *linked in the notes below!
- frosting knife *linked in the notes below!
- ribbon (for topping)
Ingredients
- 1 box of your favorite cake mix or homemade cake recipe, prepared *I used Simple Mills cake mix or you can use any of my cake recipes (linked in the notes!)
- 1-2 11.2oz containers of your favorite frosting or batch of homemade frosting *I used organic Miss Jones Baking Frosting!
- natural green food coloring
- natural pearl sprinkles (i used white & pink!)
Instructions
Multi-tier pan instructions
- Preheat oven according to your cake recipe's instructions.
- Prepare your cake according to it's instructions. You can use a box cake mix or homemade cake of your choice! I've linked some of my favorite cake recipes in the notes but I also love using Simple Mills cake mix for a paleo/gluten-free/dairy-free/refined sugar-free option!
- Grease the multi-tier cake pan WELL. Fill it about 3/4 of the way full (it'll rise!). I usually get 1 1/2 cakes out of one box. Typically i'll frost one for the holiday and keep the smaller one to enjoy myself, however you could decorate both for a larger and smaller cake!
- While the cakes are cooling, make your frosting. If using store-bought frosting, simply add it to a large bowl and add a few drops of natural green food coloring. I like to add just a few at a time and add more as needed until it's the color I like.
- Remove the cakes from the pan. You can use a sharp knife to cut off the bottom of the cakes so they sit flat. Spread a light layer of frosting all over the cakes.
- Add the remaining frosting to a piping bag with a large circle tip.
- Pipe frosting in large circles on the bottom tier all around the bottom of the cake (see video). Then take the frosting knife and holding it handle-up, press the end of the knife flat into one round of frosting at a time. You'll want to press somewhat firmly, and drag the knife upward to create the shape shown in the photo above.
- Repeat this on each round. Move to the second tier and repeat the same steps (piping rounds of frosting, then using the knife to spread it upward). When you get to the top of the cake, I like to pipe smaller rounds around the edges of the top and pipe them towards the very center of the cake. You'll place a bow on top so it's okay if it's not perfect! You can also go over the same "leaf" to smooth it out if it didn't look perfect the first time.
- Add some pearl sprinkles to the ends of the "leaves" and place a bow on top!
3 4" round cake pan instructions
- Preheat oven according to your cake recipe's instructions. Grease your pans REALLY well.
- Prepare your cake according to it's instructions. You can use a box cake mix or homemade cake of your choice! I've linked some of my favorite cake recipes in the notes but I also love using Simple Mills cake mix for a paleo/gluten-free/dairy-free/refined sugar-free option!
- Divide the batter amongst the 3 greased pans. Bake the cake according to the package instructions. Keep an eye on it, to ensure they don't over-bake. Let cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, make your frosting. If using store-bought frosting, simply add it to a large bowl and add a few drops of natural green food coloring. I like to add just a few at a time and add more as needed until it's the color I like.
- Remove the cakes from the pan. Place your first round on a serving platter or cake tray. Spread a little frosting over the center, then place the second round over-top. Repeat with the last layer.
- Using a sharp knife, trim the cake from the top into a cone-like, tree shape. Essentially start at the top layer and start cutting at a diagonal angle downward to create a slant. Do this all the way around the cake.
- Do a light layer of frosting all over the cake. Then, add the remaining frosting to a piping back with a large circle tip.
- Pipe frosting in large circles on the bottom tier all around the bottom of the cake (see video). Then take the frosting knife and holding it handle-up, press the end of the knife flat into one round of frosting at a time. You'll want to press somewhat firmly, and drag the knife upward to create the shape shown in the photo above.
- Add some pearl sprinkles to the ends of the "leaves" and place a bow on top!
Video
Notes
- Frosting knife: This helps create the tree shape and texture!
- Tiered cake pan or 3 small round cake pans: I prefer to use the special cake pan as you don't have to cut or shape the cake. However, if you don't want to purchase it, you can use three small round cake pans and cut/shape the cake
- Cake Mix: I used Simple Mills cake mix, however you can use a homemade cake recipe or your favorite store-bought mix. Simple Mills makes a pumpkin mix (my fave!), vanilla, or banana. You could also use my pumpkin cake recipe!
-
- Natural green food coloring
- Pink ribbon
- Natural sprinkles: I like to use a mix that has ball sprinkles, to add to the ends of the "tree"
- Frosting: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade frosting! If you're looking for a store-bought option with better-for-you ingredients, Miss Jones Organic Frosting is great!