The Magical Red Velvet Tree Cake Recipe: A Festive Delight

As winter’s whispers dance through kitchens, red velvet tree cake emerges like a festive masterpiece waiting to enchant dessert lovers.

Elegant layers of crimson-hued sponge promise a delightful adventure for anyone seeking seasonal magic.

Sweet cocoa notes blend seamlessly with creamy frosting, creating a backdrop of pure indulgence.

Delicate decorations transform this confection into a woodland-inspired centerpiece that captures holiday wonder.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike can craft this stunning dessert with simple techniques.

Soft cream cheese frosting and intricate tree-shaped design will make you the star of any holiday gathering.

Let your creativity bloom and delight everyone with this spectacular seasonal treat.

Red Velvet Tree Cake That Lights Up Any Dessert Table

• Craft a Festive Holiday Centerpiece: Transform an ordinary cake into a stunning Christmas dessert that will wow your guests with its unique tree-shaped design. Perfect for holiday gatherings and special celebrations.
• Quick and Easy Baking: Whip up this impressive cake in just over an hour, with simple ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques that even novice bakers can master confidently.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Combo: Indulge in the classic red velvet taste with rich cocoa undertones and creamy cream cheese frosting that appeals to both kids and adults at any festive event.
• Versatile Decorating Options: Customize your cake with green food coloring, sprinkles, or edible ornaments to match your holiday theme and personal style, making it a flexible dessert for different celebrations.

Red Velvet Tree Cake Ingredient Lineup

• Flour: Provides the structure and base for the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with caramelization.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents for cake rise.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile.
• Cocoa Powder: Gives rich chocolate undertone and deep red color.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and tender cake texture.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps activate baking soda.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure.
• Red Food Coloring: Creates signature red velvet color.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and classic flavor.
• Vinegar: Helps activate leavening agents and tenderize cake.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create rich, creamy base for frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic flavor to frosting.
• Heavy Cream: Optional ingredient for lighter frosting texture.
• Green Food Coloring: Optional for tree-like decoration.

Red Velvet Tree Cake Assembly Instructions

Step 1: Prepare The Baking Station

Preheat the oven and get your baking equipment ready.

You’ll want a tree-shaped pan or a round pan that can be transformed into a tree design.

Grease the pan thoroughly to ensure easy cake removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder until they’re perfectly blended and free of lumps.

Step 3: Create Wet Ingredient Mixture

• Vegetable oil
• Buttermilk
• Eggs
• Red food coloring
• Vanilla extract
• Vinegar

Step 4: Combine Mixtures

Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients.

Stir carefully to create a silky, vibrant red batter without overmixing.

Step 5: Fill The Cake Pan

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan.

If using a tree-shaped pan, ensure even distribution across all sections.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven.

Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, typically 25-30 minutes.

Step 7: Cool The Cake

Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack and let it cool completely before frosting.

Step 8: Whip Up Cream Cheese Frosting

• Beating cream cheese and butter
• Gradually adding powdered sugar
• Stirring in vanilla extract
• Adding heavy cream for extra smoothness

Step 9: Shape And Frost

If using a round pan, carefully cut the cake into a tree shape.

Generously spread the cream cheese frosting between layers and over the entire cake.

Step 10: Add Festive Decorations

• Use green food coloring to create a tree-like appearance
• Sprinkle decorative ornaments
• Add festive touches that make the cake special

Step 11: Serve And Celebrate

Present your stunning Red Velvet Tree Cake and watch everyone’s eyes light up with joy!

Holiday Cake Ideas for Red Velvet Tree Designs

• Use a specialized tree-shaped cake pan for authentic presentation, or get creative with a round pan and carefully cut the shape after baking.
• Add red food coloring gradually to achieve the perfect vibrant red color without affecting the cake's texture or taste.
• Use room temperature buttermilk to ensure smooth batter mixing and help create a tender, moist cake crumb.
• Chill cream cheese frosting for 15 minutes before spreading to get clean, smooth edges and prevent running.
• Apply green food coloring sparingly to frosting to create a realistic tree appearance, using light layers for a natural gradient effect.

Save Red Velvet Tree Cake Leftovers

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap each slice individually with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Carefully wrap the cake or individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power. For best texture, let the cake sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before serving to soften the cream cheese frosting.
• Avoid storing cake at room temperature for more than 2 hours due to the cream cheese frosting, which can spoil quickly.

Sweet Sips for Red Velvet Tree Cake

• Pair Festive Cocktail: Whip up a cranberry martini with vodka, cranberry juice, and a splash of orange liqueur to complement the cake's rich red color and festive theme.
• Enhance Flavor Contrast: Select a rich, dark chocolate port wine that echoes the cake's cocoa notes while providing a luxurious depth to each sweet bite.
• Match Creamy Texture: Serve alongside a smooth vanilla bean cappuccino, whose creamy foam and warm espresso balance the cake's sweetness and cream cheese frosting.
• Elevate Dessert Experience: Add a scoop of peppermint ice cream on the side, creating a holiday-inspired pairing that highlights the cake's festive red and green color palette.

Festive Designs for Tree Cake

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend to make the cake suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Version: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter and cream cheese alternatives, and swap buttermilk with coconut milk to create a dairy-free and egg-free option.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of regular sugar, and reduce the amount of food coloring to make a healthier, lower-calorie version of the cake.
• Chocolate Lover's Modification: Add extra cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips to intensify the chocolate flavor, creating a richer and more decadent red velvet experience.

FAQs

• How difficult is this red velvet tree cake to make?

This cake requires moderate baking skills. You’ll need basic mixing techniques and patience for decorating. Beginners can successfully make it with careful attention to instructions.

• What gives red velvet cake its distinctive flavor?

The combination of cocoa powder, buttermilk, and vinegar creates the unique tangy flavor. These ingredients also help develop the cake’s signature tender texture.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have exactly what the recipe calls for?

For buttermilk, you can use milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Replace vegetable oil with canola oil if needed. Just ensure measurements remain consistent for best results.

• Why does the recipe include vinegar?

Vinegar helps activate the baking soda, creating a chemical reaction that makes the cake lighter and fluffier. It also enhances the cake’s red color and contributes to its tender crumb.

Red Velvet Tree Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive red velvet tree cake brings winter wonder to holiday desserts, crafting a whimsical centerpiece that delights guests. Layers of crimson cake adorned with elegant cream cheese frosting create a magical seasonal treat you’ll cherish and celebrate.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (297 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon (7 grams) cocoa powder
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring (liquid or gel)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

Leavening Agents:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (454 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) heavy cream (optional, for thinner consistency)

Decoration Ingredients (optional):

• Green food coloring (for tree color)
• Sprinkles, edible glitter, or small ornaments (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C) and meticulously coat a tree-shaped or round cake pan with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, whisking flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder until thoroughly integrated.
3. Create a separate mixture of liquid components, blending vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, vibrant red food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar until achieving a uniform, silky consistency.
4. Gently incorporate wet ingredients into dry mixture, stirring carefully to prevent overmixing and maintain a smooth batter texture.
5. Transfer batter into prepared pan, ensuring even distribution, particularly if using a segmented tree-shaped mold.
6. Position pan in preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean when withdrawn.
7. Allow cake to rest in pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to reach ambient temperature.
8. Craft cream cheese frosting by whipping cream cheese and butter until luxuriously smooth, gradually introducing powdered sugar to create a spreadable consistency, then enriching with vanilla extract and optional heavy cream.
9. For round pan users, carefully sculpt cake into tree silhouette using precise cutting techniques.
10. Apply frosting generously across cake surface, creating a pristine canvas for decoration.
11. Transform cake’s appearance using green food coloring, mimicking evergreen hues, and embellish with festive sprinkles or miniature ornamental elements.
12. Present your masterpiece, ready to delight guests with its whimsical tree-inspired design and decadent red velvet flavor profile.

Notes

• Nail the food coloring by adding gradually to achieve rich, vibrant red without altering batter consistency.
• Ensure buttermilk is room temperature to help ingredients blend smoothly and create perfect cake texture.
• Use full-fat cream cheese for frosting stability and prevent runny or loose consistency.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version without compromising cake’s delicate structure.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg