Festive Red Velvet Tree Cake Recipe for Sweet Holiday Joy

Sweet secrets of holiday baking reveal a mesmerizing red velvet tree cake that sparkles with festive charm.

Layers of crimson-hued goodness promise a delightful culinary adventure for anyone seeking seasonal magic.

Soft, velvety textures meld with rich cream cheese frosting in a dessert that looks almost too beautiful to slice.

Crafting this showstopping treat requires minimal kitchen skills and maximum enthusiasm.

Delicate swirls and elegant decorations transform an ordinary cake into a stunning centerpiece that will impress guests.

Each bite carries the warmth of winter celebrations and the joy of shared moments.

FAQs

• What makes red velvet cake different from other cakes?

Red velvet cake gets its unique flavor and color from a combination of cocoa powder, buttermilk, and a small amount of vinegar, which creates a subtle tangy taste and deep red color.

• How can I ensure my cake layers are even?

Use a kitchen scale to weigh each cake pan of batter or carefully divide the batter using measuring cups to create uniform layers.

• Why do I need to add vinegar to the recipe?

Vinegar helps activate the baking soda, creating a tender crumb and enhancing the cake’s soft texture by breaking down the gluten in the flour.

• Can I make this cake without food coloring?

While food coloring gives the signature red color, you can use natural alternatives like beetroot powder to achieve a similar red hue without artificial coloring.

What Makes This Tree Cake Stand Out

• Craft a Showstopping Centerpiece: Create a stunning holiday dessert that transforms an ordinary cake into a dramatic tree-shaped masterpiece perfect for festive gatherings.
• Customize with Delightful Decorations: Personalize the cake with edible baubles, glitter stars, and white chocolate shavings to match your holiday theme and wow your guests.
• Master a Memorable Baking Challenge: Learn a unique cake-stacking technique that elevates your baking skills and produces an impressive multi-layered dessert that looks professionally made.
• Enjoy Rich Flavor Combinations: Savor the classic red velvet cake's luxurious taste paired with creamy cream cheese frosting, creating a delectable treat that balances sweetness and tanginess.

What You’ll Need for Tree Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure of the cake that provides a tender and soft texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a golden brown exterior.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers a subtle chocolate flavor and rich reddish-brown color.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake.

• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender throughout baking.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a soft crumb texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and provide structure to the cake.
• Red Food Coloring: Creates the signature vibrant red color of the cake.
• White Vinegar: Helps activate the baking soda and creates a tender texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor to the cake.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Creates a smooth, rich base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor to the cream cheese frosting.

• Edible Baubles, Glitter Stars: Provides festive holiday-themed decoration.
• White Chocolate Shavings: Adds a snowy, winter-like appearance.
• Star-Shaped Topper: Completes the tree-like design of the cake.

Steps for Red Velvet Tree Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Workspace

Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Grease multiple round cake pans in decreasing sizes.

Line each pan with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Cocoa powder

Ensure all dry ingredients are thoroughly combined and free of lumps.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

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

Blend until the mixture looks smooth and vibrant red.

Step 4: Create Cake Batter

Slowly pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients.

Mix gently until the batter becomes completely smooth and well incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 5: Bake Cake Layers

Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake each layer for 20-25 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 6: Cool Cake Layers

Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes.

Transfer to wire cooling rack and let them cool completely before frosting.

Step 7: Whip Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until silky smooth.

Gradually add powdered sugar, continuing to mix until frosting becomes light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla extract for extra flavor.

Step 8: Assemble Tree-Shaped Cake

Start with the largest cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese frosting.

Stack subsequent layers, trimming edges to create a conical tree shape.

Step 9: Decorate Festive Cake

Use a piping bag with a star tip to create frosting swirls around the cake.

Sprinkle white chocolate shavings for a snowy effect. Add edible baubles and glitter stars for extra sparkle.

Place a star-shaped topper on the peak.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Slice the beautiful red velvet tree cake and delight in its festive layers and creamy frosting.

Tips for Making a Better Tree Cake

• Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Sift dry ingredients thoroughly to prevent lumps and create a lighter, more even cake crumb.
• Use gel food coloring for more vibrant red color without adding extra liquid to the batter.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake; mix just until ingredients are combined.
• Cool cakes completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding of cream cheese layers.

Tasty Swaps for Red Velvet Cake

• Chocolate Lover's Version: Replace red food coloring with extra cocoa powder, adding dark chocolate chips to the batter for intense chocolate flavor.
• Gluten-Free Holiday Edition: Substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Winter Celebration Cake: Use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, replace eggs with applesauce or flax eggs, swap cream cheese with cashew-based cream cheese alternative, creating a plant-based festive dessert.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Option: Replace sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, use sugar-free cream cheese frosting, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining delicious holiday spirit.

Pair This Cake with Iced Drinks

• Pair Decadent Dessert with Festive Beverages
• Sip Spiced Mulled Wine: Rich, warm red wine infused with cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest perfectly complements the cake's sweet and tangy flavor profile.
• Match Holiday Champagne: Crisp, bubbly champagne with light fruity notes cuts through the cream cheese frosting's richness and adds elegant celebration vibes.
• Serve Hot Peppermint Mocha: Creamy chocolate and cool mint notes enhance the red velvet's chocolatey undertones while providing a warming winter drink experience.
• Pour Classic Eggnog: Creamy, nutmeg-spiced traditional holiday drink creates a delightful contrast with the cake's texture and provides a smooth, indulgent pairing.

Best Way to Store Tree Cake

Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.

Wrap the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.

Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on low power. For best texture, let the cake come to room temperature naturally to maintain its moisture and prevent soggy frosting.

Red Velvet Tree Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive red velvet tree cake brings winter magic to holiday desserts with rich crimson layers and smooth cream cheese frosting. Elegant swirls and delicate decorations invite celebration, promising delightful moments shared around your seasonal table.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups (315g) all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 1.5 cups (360ml) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (225g) cream cheese
• 0.5 cup (115g) unsalted butter
• 4 cups (500g) powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Decoration Ingredients:

• Edible silver baubles
• Edible red baubles
• Small edible glitter stars
• White chocolate shavings
• Star-shaped topper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare round cake pans of progressively smaller diameters, greasing and lining each with parchment paper.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, sifting flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder together to ensure smooth texture.
3. Whisk wet ingredients separately, blending vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, vibrant red food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract until thoroughly incorporated.
4. Merge wet and dry mixtures, stirring gently until achieving a uniform, silky batter without overmixing.
5. Distribute batter evenly across prepared pans, ensuring consistent layer thickness.
6. Bake layers for 20-25 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted into cake centers.
7. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling racks until completely cooled.
8. Prepare cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth.
9. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, whipping until frosting becomes light and fluffy.
10. Blend vanilla extract into frosting for enhanced flavor.
11. Assemble cake by positioning largest layer on serving plate, spreading thin frosting layer between each subsequent tier.
12. Trim cake edges to create elegant conical tree silhouette.
13. Use star-tipped piping bag to create textured frosting swirls around cake’s exterior.
14. Embellish with edible decorative elements like sparkly baubles, white chocolate shavings, and glittery stars.
15. Crown cake with decorative star-shaped topper for festive presentation.

Notes

• Mastering Cake Layer Precision matters when creating the tree shape, so ensure each cake pan is slightly smaller to achieve a perfect conical silhouette.
• Temperature Control is crucial; let ingredients like eggs and buttermilk reach room temperature for smoother batter and more consistent texture.
• Color Enhancement can be achieved by adding extra cocoa powder or using gel food coloring for deeper red velvet color without altering batter consistency.
• Decoration Alternatives include using crushed candy canes, edible silver pearls, or white chocolate shards for different festive looks that match various holiday themes.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 422
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 178 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg