Christmas Tree Cake

Instructions

Click to mark complete

1. - Bake Cake. Prepare cake mix or batter following the chosen recipe's instructions. Bake two 3 inch cake layers and cool completely. Trim 1/2 an inch off both layers to be 2 1/2 inches high each. Fill and stack layers to create a 5 inch high cake.
2. - Make Frosting. In a large bowl, cream the butter and shortening. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed using the paddle attachment until light and fluffy for about 1 minute. Beat in vanilla and scrape down the bowl occasionally.
3. - Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, starting by mixing each cup on a low speed then beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of the bowl after each cup of sugar is added. When all sugar has been mixed in, the frosting will appear dry and stiff.
4. - Gradually add milk or water, adding small amounts at a time until the desired consistency is reached; continue to beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl once more and beat again to make sure all the ingredients are incorporated. Add a pinch of salt if too sweet and mix until completely dissolved.
5. - Use spatula to frosting cake smooth using untinted buttercream frosting.
6. -

   Tint frosting. Tint buttercream to create the following colors:

   Tint 1/2 cup white frosting lime green by combining Moss Green and Lemon Yellow icing colors.

   Tint 1/4 cup white frosting dark green by combining Kelly Green, Royal Blue and a touch of Black icing colors.

   Tint 1/4 cup white frosting teal green by combining Sky Blue, Lemon Yellow and touch of Black icing colors.

   Tint 1/4 cup white frosting red by combining Red-Red and Christmas Red icing colors.

   Tint 1/2 cup white frosting juniper green using Juniper Green icing color.

7. -

   Add all tinted frostings into decorating bags. Pair tinted colors in decorating bags with tips as follows.

   Tip 18 and lime green frosting

   Tip 3 and dark green frosting

   Tip 5 and teal green frosting

   Tip 2 and red frosting

   Tip 16 and juniper green frosting.

8. - Decorate the cake. Use the piping bag with tip 2 and red frosting to pipe swag around the cake using dots of red frosting. The lowest part of the swag should measure about 11/4 in. from top of cake and be about 11/2 in. wide.
9. - Use the other prepared decorating bags to pipe trees around the sides of cake, in any height or style you'd like.

How To

Icing Coloring Color Chart

When mixing color, always mix a small amount of color to experiment. Start with base color and then add very small amounts of secondary color. Be sure to mix enough color for the cakes to be decorated as it is difficult to match an exact color.

42 Easy Christmas Cake Ideas

While many believe that cookies are the king of Christmas desserts, Christmas cakes are giving cookies a run for their money. With the holiday season upon us, we've compiled our best easy Christmas cake ideas and recipes of the season, all sweet enough to warm even the Grinch's heart. If your sweet tooth is hankering for more sweet Christmas goodness, check out our favorite easy Christmas cookies, cupcakes, gingerbread houses and other treats!

25 Winter Themed Cakes for Birthdays

Make the season just a little sweeter with these 25 winter birthday cakes. Great for birthdays, wedding showers, baby showers or even Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations, these cakes are sure to brighten up those blustery winter days!