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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Combine all dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, whisking flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder until thoroughly integrated.
- 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.
- Gently incorporate wet ingredients into dry mixture, stirring carefully to prevent overmixing and maintain a smooth batter texture.
- Transfer batter into prepared pan, ensuring even distribution, particularly if using a segmented tree-shaped mold.
- Position pan in preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean when withdrawn.
- Allow cake to rest in pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to reach ambient temperature.
- 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.
- For round pan users, carefully sculpt cake into tree silhouette using precise cutting techniques.
- Apply frosting generously across cake surface, creating a pristine canvas for decoration.
- Transform cake’s appearance using green food coloring, mimicking evergreen hues, and embellish with festive sprinkles or miniature ornamental elements.
- 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