Description
This Red Velvet Tree Cake is a festive holiday dessert featuring a moist, tender red velvet cake baked in a tree-shaped pan and topped with rich, creamy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for Christmas celebrations, it’s decorated with sprinkles to resemble a beautiful holiday tree, bringing both flavor and visual joy to your gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Decorations (Optional)
- Festive sprinkles or decorations
- Nonstick spray or butter, for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a tree-shaped cake pan or a standard bundt or tube pan with nonstick spray or butter to ensure easy cake removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, room temperature buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, white vinegar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently just until the batter is smooth and well combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the cake tender.
- Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top as needed. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set. Then carefully invert it onto a wire cooling rack and allow it to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: While the cake cools, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until fluffy using a mixer. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat until smooth and creamy.
- Frost and Decorate: Once completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cake. Decorate with festive sprinkles or decorations to resemble a Christmas tree for a festive finish.
Notes
- You can use a silicone tree mold or alternatively carve a tree shape from a sheet cake if a tree-shaped pan is not available.
- For extra holiday sparkle, add edible glitter or colored sugar atop the frosting.
- This cake can be made one day ahead; store it covered in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
