Description
This Red Velvet Tree Cake is a show-stopping dessert perfect for the holidays or any special occasion! With its rich, vibrant red color and decadent cream cheese frosting, this cake is as beautiful as it is delicious. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or just craving a festive treat, this tree-shaped cake is sure to impress!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- For the cream cheese frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- For decoration:
- Green sprinkles or edible glitter (for tree decoration)
- Piping gel or melted white chocolate (for “snow” effect, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour your tree-shaped cake pan (or regular round pans if not using a tree mold).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
- In a large bowl, beat the vegetable oil and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, food coloring, and vinegar.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan(s) and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting: Beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
- Once the cake has completely cooled, frost it with the cream cheese frosting.
- Decorate with green sprinkles, edible glitter, or a drizzle of piping gel/melted white chocolate to create a festive tree look.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- If you don’t have a tree-shaped pan, you can bake the cake in round pans and cut it into a tree shape once cooled.
- You can make the cake a day ahead, just store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
- For a richer flavor, consider adding chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips to the cake batter.
- Be sure to use high-quality cream cheese for the frosting to achieve a smooth, creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of the cake)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg