Best Christmas Tree Cake Recipes

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CHRISTMAS TREE SURPRISE CAKE



Christmas Tree Surprise Cake image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 4h50m

Yield 1 Christmas tree cake

Number Of Ingredients 24

3 batches Classic Vanilla Cake Batter, recipe follows
Red and green food coloring
2-inch round cookie cutter
3 batches Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting
8-inch cake board
About 3 cups assorted candies
5 ounces white melting chocolate, such as Candy Melts
About 20 colored hard mint candies, such as Tic Tacs
About 40 peanut filled candy coated chocolates, such as M and M's
Small star cookie cutter
1 lollipop stick or skewer
Gold sanding sugar
2 sticks plus 2 tablespoons salted butter
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons superfine sugar
3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 cup whole milk
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 vanilla bean (halved crosswise), split lengthwise
5 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons whole milk

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.
  • You have to bake 3 cakes, but bake them one at a time, mixing up the batter only when you're ready to bake. For 2 of the cakes, tint the batter green. For the third cake, tint the batter red. Bake each cake until the center springs back when lightly touched, about 45 minutes.
  • Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert the cake onto a wire rack to cool. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes so the cake becomes firm.
  • Carve and level the cakes: Using plates, bowls, glasses or round cookie cutters to trace around, cut the following: From the two green cakes, cut out 4 rounds: 8 inch, 6 inch, 4 inch, and 2 inch. Then from the red cake, cut out 4 rounds: 7 inch, 5 inch, 3 inch, and 1 inch. Take the round cookie cutter and cut a hole through the centers of the 4 inch, 5 inch, 6 inch, and 7 inch layers. (Save all the scraps for making Christmas-colored cake pop dough!)
  • Make the buttercream frosting. Measure out 1 cup and tint it red. Tint the rest dark green.
  • Spread a little green frosting on the cake board, lay down the 8 inch green cake layer, and spread a layer of frosting on top. Add the 7 inch red layer and repeat, taking care not to frost the inside edges of the center hole. Continue stacking and frosting gradually smaller cake layers until you reach the 4 inch layer.
  • Take the 3 cups of candy and fill the center core of the tree, pressing down a little to compact the candy. Frost the top of the 4 inch layer and continue stacking and frosting until all the layers are stacked.
  • Once stacked, take a serrated knife and gently carve away the sharp edges of the layers to form a tall cone shape. Apply a very thin "crumb coat" of frosting all over the outside of the cake. Set in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the Christmas lights. Melt the Candy Melts. Cut the colored Tic Tac candies in half crosswise. Use a toothpick dipped in the melted candy to attach a Tic Tac to the end of a peanut M and M of the same color (the M and M is the bulb and the Tic Tac is the base). You will need about 40 of these.
  • To make the star for the top of the tree, trace around a star cookie cutter onto parchment. Pipe an outline of white melted candy, then fill in the shape. Place a lollipop stick in the center and cover with more melted candy. Sprinkle with sanding sugar and let set at room temperature.
  • Place the green frosting into a piping bag fitted with a number 21 open star tip. Starting at the top of the cake, pipe 3/4 inch long strands of frosting in neat rows around the entire cake, like layers of pine branches on a Christmas tree.
  • Once the cake is covered, place the red frosting into a piping bag fitted with a number 21 piping tip and pipe draping lines of "tinsel" around the cake. Attach the colored M and M lights directly to the red frosting. Work quickly here, as the frosting will start to form a crust, which can make attaching the decorations difficult.
  • Take the star and flip it over. Coat the back with white melted candy and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Allow to set. Insert the lollipop stick into the center of the top of the tree.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8 x 3 inch round cake pan. Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment paper.
  • In a stand mixer, with the whisk or paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar, and eggs on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Using the tip of a sharp knife, scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the mixer bowl. Add the oil to the creamed mixture and combine.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Add the flour mixture and milk to the creamed mixture and beat on high speed until the flour is completely mixed, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Scrape the batter into the pan and use an offset spatula to smooth the top.
  • Bake until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes. Check after 45 minutes, and if the top is browning too much, tent with foil. Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then run a metal spatula around the edge of the cake and invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  • In a stand mixer with the whisk or paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed for at least 5 minutes, until the butter has lightened in color and is thoroughly whipped. Using the tip of a sharp knife, scrape the vanilla seeds into the butter and beat to incorporate.
  • Add 1 cup of the sugar and begin mixing on low speed to combine, then beat on high speed for about 2 minutes. Repeat this process 1 cup at a time until all the sugar has been added. Add milk a dash at a time if the mixture becomes too thick or dry. Scrape down the sides as needed and make sure no sugar is visible.
  • The frosting will last for 1 month in the freezer, 2 weeks in the fridge, and 3 days at room temperature.

CHRISTMAS TREE CAKE WITH MINI TREES



Christmas Tree Cake with Mini Trees image

The Christmas tree cake and mini trees are an awesome edible holiday centerpiece. Decorate them with small colorful candies to represent ornaments, or layer with white frosting for a snow-covered look.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 5h55m

Yield 14

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 box yellow cake mix with pudding
Water, oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
1 teaspoon almond extract
Green gel food color
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
9 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
Green gel food color
1 (10-inch) wooden skewer
7 classic waffle cones or pointed sugar cones
84 pink or red candy coated chocolate balls

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour a 4-cup and a 2-cup oven-proof measuring cup. Place paper baking cup in each of 7 regular-size muffin cups.
  • Make cake mix as directed on box using water, oil and eggs. Add almond extract and enough green food color to make light green batter; blend well. Fill 4-cup measuring cup with 2 cups batter. Fill 2-cup measuring cup with 1 cup batter. Divide remaining batter into muffin cups.
  • Bake cupcakes 20 to 25 minutes, 2-cup measuring cup 30 to 35 minutes and 4-cup measuring cup 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove cupcakes from pan and cakes from measuring cups to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Mix in 3/4 cup milk, vanilla and enough green food color to make desired green colored frosting. If frosting is too thick, beat in more milk, a few drops at a time.
  • Assemble and Decorate: Using serrated knife cut rounded tops off cakes baked in measuring cups to make a level surface. Place large cake, wider end down, on cake plate. Spread 1/4 cup frosting on top. Put small cake on top of large cake, wider end down. Spread 2 tablespoons frosting on top. Remove paper liner from 1 cupcake. Trim off rounded top of cupcake to flatten. Place cut side down on top of small cake. Spread 1 tablespoon frosting on top. Insert skewer through center of all cakes to secure tree. Break off pieces of one waffle cone to make top of cone even. Place cone, top side down, to form top of tree.
  • Place frosting in resealable food storage bag or decorating bag. Cut 1/2 inch off corner of bag for tip of decorating bag. Starting at the base of the tree, pipe about a 1 inch dot of frosting. Use back of teaspoon, spread frosting vertically upward. Continue piping dots and spreading frosting around base of tree. Pipe another row of dots overlapping dots from previous row; spread vertically upward. Continue making and spreading dots to tip of cone. Place dot of frosting in tip of cone. Decorate tree with candy coated chocolate balls.
  • To assemble and frost 6 mini trees, remove paper liners from remaining 6 cupcakes. If necessary, trim off rounded tops to flatten. Place cut side down on doilies or small individual plates. Break off pieces of 6 waffle cones to make tops of cones even. Place top side down to cover cupcakes, using frosting to secure cones on cupcakes. Using frosting in bag, pipe 1-inch dots around base of tree and use to teaspoon to spread frosting vertically. Continue making rows of dots and spreading them vertically upward to top of cone. Place dot of frosting on tip of cone. Repeat for remaining trees. Decorate trees with candy-coated chocolate balls.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 740, Carbohydrate 112 g, Cholesterol 95 mg, Fat 6, Fiber 0 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 15 g, ServingSize 1 serving, Sodium 430 mg, Sugar 93 g, TransFat 1 g

CHRISTMAS TREE COFFEE CAKE



Christmas Tree Coffee Cake image

I discovered this recipe in Good Housekeeping many years ago. Guests for breakfast are always surprised and in awe of this Coffee Cake - I shape according to my mood or the holiday. Prep time does NOT include rise or chill times.

Provided by CindiJ

Categories     Yeast Breads

Time 50m

Yield 2 cakes, 22 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

4 -4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (2 ounce) can crushed pineapple in syrup, drained
11 red glazed cherries, halved
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk

Steps:

  • In large mixing bowl throughly mix 2 cups flour, sugar, salt& dry yeast. Set aside.
  • In small saucepan combine milk, water and butter.
  • Heat to 130ºF (butter does not need to melt).
  • Slowly add liquid to the above dry ingredients; beat for 2 minutes with electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally.
  • Add egg and 1 cup flour.
  • Beat at high speed additional 2 minutes.
  • Stir in enough remaining flour to make stiff dough (approx. 1 cup).
  • Cover tightly.
  • Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 3 days.
  • When ready to make rolls, prepare filling.
  • In large mixing bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, salt, nutmeg and vanilla.
  • Beat just until well blended.
  • Stir in drained pineapple.
  • Grease 2 large cookie sheets.
  • Divide dough in half; keep one half in refrigerator while working with other half.
  • On lightly floured surface roll first dough half to an 11" x 10" rectangle.
  • Spread with half of the cream cheese pineapple filling.
  • Roll up on 11" side- pinch seams to seal.
  • Cut into 1" slices and arrange in shape of Christmas tree on cookie sheet.
  • Cover lightly with plastic wrap.
  • Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
  • Let arranged slices rise approximately 1 hour in draft free warm place.
  • Preheat oven to 375ºF- Bake 15 minutes; cover with aluminum foil to prevent browning.
  • Bake additional 5-10 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool.
  • Place cherries, cut side down in center of each roll.
  • Combine powdered sugar with milk and drizzle over the rolls.

CHRISTMAS TREE CAKE



Christmas Tree Cake image

At the root of this pretty pine-shaped confection is a sweet secret you won't be able to keep to yourself. In fact, as soon as the cake is cut, it'll come spilling out...in the shape of tasty candies you use to fill the center! To create it, our crafty kitchen crew took a cue from Bonnie, who shared the treat-filled holiday dessert she annually makes for her family's festive Christmas celebration. The CT crew simply speeded up Bonnie's idea by using a store-bought cake mix as the foundation. Then they followed her instructions for cutting and stacking layers of baked cake to create a hole in the center for stashing candy. Gumdrops fill this version, but you can add whatever sweets your group likes best.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 55m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 package white cake mix (regular size)
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
3 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped
3 to 4 cups assorted candies (gumdrops, peanut M&M's, gum balls, Lifesavers, chocolate stars)
Foil star (2 inches)
12 red cake candles (2-1/2 inches), optional
Green colored sugar and fruit-flavored decorating candies, optional

Steps:

  • Prepare cake according to package directions. Divide batter between one 9-in. and one 8-in. greased and floured round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. , For frosting, fold the confectioners' sugar into the whipped cream; set aside., Place 9-in. cake on a 10-in. serving plate or covered board. With a sharp knife, cut a 5-1/2-in. circle from the center of the cake. Remove 5-1/2-in. circle and set aside. Frost top of 9-in. ring and fill center with candy. , Cut a 3-1/2-in. circle from the center of the 8-in. cake; remove 3-1/2-in. circle and set aside. Place 8-in. ring over 9-in. ring. Frost top and fill center with candy., Cut a 1-3/4-in. circle from the center of the reserved 5-1/2-in. circle. Remove 1-3/4-in. circle and set aside. Place 5-1/2-in. ring over 8-in. ring. Frost top and fill center with candy. Place reserved 3-1/2-in. circle over 5-1/2-in. ring; frost top. Place reserved 1-3/4-in. circle over 5-1/2-in. ring., Frost top, mounding slightly to make a pointed top. Frost sides of the cake, mounding frosting at base of layers and gradually connecting layers to resemble a Christmas tree. Place star on top of cake. Sprinkle with green sugar if desired. Add candles and decorating candies if desired.

Nutrition Facts :

CAKE BALL CHRISTMAS TREE



Cake Ball Christmas Tree image

Trim the dessert table with a Cake Ball Christmas Tree! Easy on the host (thank you, Betty Crocker™ cake mix!) and perfectly snackable for guests, it's the too-cute sweet your holiday party needs.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 3h30m

Yield 49

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ chocolate fudge cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
1 cup Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting (from 16-oz container)
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
3 1/2 cups green candy melts (from two 12-oz bags)
1 teaspoon yellow candy sprinkles
2 tablespoons Betty Crocker™ Decorating Decors holiday candy sprinkles

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Make cake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  • Line large cookie sheet with waxed paper. Crumble cake into large bowl. Add frosting; mix well. Shape mixture into 49 (1 1/2-inch) balls; place on cookie sheet. Freeze about 1 hour or until firm. When firm, transfer to refrigerator.
  • In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and oil uncovered on High 20 to 40 seconds or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Remove 4 balls from refrigerator. Using 2 forks, roll 1 ball at a time in melted chocolate to coat; gently shake off excess chocolate. Place on second large waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.
  • In 2-quart microwavable bowl, microwave candy melts uncovered on Medium (50%) 1 minute 30 seconds; stir. Continue microwaving and stirring in 30-second increments until melted and smooth.
  • Remove 1 ball from refrigerator. Using 2 forks, dip and roll ball in green coating; gently shake off excess. Place on cookie sheet; immediately sprinkle ball with yellow candy sprinkles.
  • Remove a few balls from refrigerator at a time. Repeat dipping and rolling with remaining balls; rolling 1 ball at a time in green coating. Gently shake off excess each time. Place on cookie sheet; immediately sprinkle top with holiday candy sprinkles.
  • Refrigerate all coated cake balls about 10 minutes or until set.
  • On serving tray, arrange cake balls as follows: For star at top of tree, place yellow sprinkled ball. Place remaining green cake balls in triangle tree-shaped pattern (use photo as a guide). Place the 4 chocolate-coated balls at short side of triangle for tree trunk. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 150, Carbohydrate 20 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 4 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 105 mg, Sugar 8 g, TransFat 0 g

CHRISTMAS TREE COFFEE CAKE



Christmas Tree Coffee Cake image

Provided by Kitchen Crew

Categories     Other Breakfast

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cake compressed yeast; or
1 pkg dry yeast
3/4 c milk, scalded
1/4 c sugar
1 tsp salt
1/3 c butter
3 c sifted all purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten (plus more as necessary)
1 c oatmeal, uncooked
1/2 c diced mixed candied fruit

Steps:

  • 1. Soften yeast in lukewarm water. (Use warm water for dry yeast.)
  • 2. Pour scalded milk over sugar, salt and butter.
  • 3. Cool to lukewarm.
  • 4. Stir in 1 cup flour and eggs.
  • 5. Add softened yeast and oats.
  • 6. Combine 1/4 cup flour and candied fruits; stir to coat fruits evenly with flour.
  • 7. Add to dough; mix well.
  • 8. Stir in enough more flour to make a soft dough.
  • 9. Turn out on lightly floured board or canvas; knead until smooth and satiny, about 10 minutes.
  • 10. Round dough into ball; place in greased bowl; brush lightly with melted shortening.
  • 11. Cover and let rise in warm place until double in size, about 1 hour.
  • 12. Punch dough down; cover; let rest 10 minutes.
  • 13. Divide dough in half.
  • 14. From one half, pinch off 17 pieces of dough; shape to form balls.
  • 15. Arrange balls in the shape of a Christmas tree on greased cookie sheet.
  • 16. Brush lightly with melted butter.
  • 17. Repeat with other half of dough.
  • 18. Cover; let rise in warm place until nearly double in size, about 1 hour.
  • 19. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes.
  • 20. Decorate with confectioners\' sugar frosting and candied citron.

CHRISTMAS TREE COOKIE CAKE



Christmas Tree Cookie Cake image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 log store bought sugar cookie dough, at room temperature
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Desired cookie decorations
Special equipment:
Rolling pin
Assorted cookie cutters

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Combine the cookie dough and all-purpose flour using a stand mixer.
  • Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment until it is about 1/4-inch thick.
  • Cut the shape of a Christmas tree and transfer the tree to a baking sheet. Combine the remaining scraps of dough and roll out to the same thickness as before. Cut the rolled scraps with assorted cookie cutters, these will be used as ornaments to decorate your tree. Place on a separate baking sheet. Bake the tree for 16 to 18 minutes and the smaller decorations for 12 minutes. Let cool completely and decorate as you wish.

CHRISTMAS TREE SURPRISE CAKE RECIPE - (4.6/5)



Christmas Tree Surprise Cake Recipe - (4.6/5) image

Provided by margiekyle

Number Of Ingredients 24

3 batches classic vanilla cake batter, recipe follows
Red and green food coloring
2 inch round cookie cutter
3 batches vanilla bean buttercream frosting
8 inch cake board
3 About 3 cups assorted candies
5 ounces white melting chocolate, such as Candy Melts
20 About 20 colored hard mint candies, such as Tic Tacs
40 About 40 peanut filled candy coated chocolates, such as M&M's
Small star cookie cutter
1 lollipop stick or skewer
Gold sanding sugar
2 sticks plus 2 tablespoons salted butter
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons superfine sugar
3 extra-large eggs, room temperature
1/2 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 cup whole milk
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 vanilla bean (halved crosswise), split lengthwise
5 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons whole milk

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. You have to bake 3 cakes, but bake them one at a time, mixing up the batter only when you're ready to bake. For 2 of the cakes, tint the batter green. For the third cake, tint the batter red. Bake each cake until the center springs back when lightly touched, about 45 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert the cake onto a wire rack to cool. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes so the cake becomes firm. Carve and level the cakes: Using plates, bowls, glasses or round cookie cutters to trace around, cut the following: From the two green cakes, cut out 4 rounds: 8 inch, 6 inch, 4 inch, and 2 inch. Then from the red cake, cut out 4 rounds: 7 inch, 5 inch, 3 inch, and 1 inch. Take the round cookie cutter and cut a hole through the centers of the 4 inch, 5 inch, 6 inch, and 7 inch layers. (Save all the scraps for making Christmas-colored cake pop dough!) Make the buttercream frosting. Measure out 1 cup and tint it red. Tint the rest dark green. Spread a little green frosting on the cake board, lay down the 8 inch green cake layer, and spread a layer of frosting on top. Add the 7 inch red layer and repeat, taking care not to frost the inside edges of the center hole. Continue stacking and frosting gradually smaller cake layers until you reach the 4 inch layer. Take the 3 cups of candy and fill the center core of the tree, pressing down a little to compact the candy. Frost the top of the 4 inch layer and continue stacking and frosting until all the layers are stacked. Once stacked, take a serrated knife and gently carve away the sharp edges of the layers to form a tall cone shape. Apply a very thin "crumb coat" of frosting all over the outside of the cake. Set in the fridge for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, make the Christmas lights. Melt the Candy Melts. Cut the colored Tic Tac candies in half crosswise. Use a toothpick dipped in the melted candy to attach a Tic Tac to the end of a peanut M&M of the same color (the M&M is the bulb and the Tic Tac is the base). You will need about 40 of these. To make the star for the top of the tree, trace around a star cookie cutter onto parchment. Pipe an outline of white melted candy, then fill in the shape. Place a lollipop stick in the center and cover with more melted candy. Sprinkle with sanding sugar and let set at room temperature. Place the green frosting into a piping bag fitted with a number 21 open star tip. Starting at the top of the cake, pipe 3/4 inch long strands of frosting in neat rows around the entire cake, like layers of pine branches on a Christmas tree. Once the cake is covered, place the red frosting into a piping bag fitted with a number 21 piping tip and pipe draping lines of "tinsel" around the cake. Attach the colored M and M lights directly to the red frosting. Work quickly here, as the frosting will start to form a crust, which can make attaching the decorations difficult. Take the star and flip it over. Coat the back with white melted candy and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Allow to set. Insert the lollipop stick into the center of the top of the tree. Happy Holidays and enjoy!

TWINKLING CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS CAKE



Twinkling Christmas Tree Lights Cake image

It's easy to upgrade a store-bought cake for the holidays. All you need is a tube of sparkle gel and some sour candies. Enlist the kids to help with the design!

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 20m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 3

One 3.5-ounce tube black sparkle gel, such as Wilton
One double layer 9-inch white cake with vanilla frosting
One 14-ounce bag sour candies, such as Sour Patch Kids Original Flavor

Steps:

  • First decorate the top of the cake. With the black sparkle gel, pipe three arcs across the top of the cake (These are the wires.) Draw tiny rectangles hanging off each arc, spaced about 1/2 inch apart. (These are the "sockets.")
  • Snip the candies in half with kitchen shears. You'll be using the rounded ends; save the other ends for another use (or eat them!). Place each rounded end beneath a rectangle, so the flat cut side attaches to the flat side of the rectangle. (These are the lights.)
  • Next decorate the sides of the cake. Pipe wide swags around the circumference, with their ends connected. Pipe rectangle sockets hanging off the wire, just as you did on top of cake. Place candy lights under the sockets.

CREAM PUFF CHRISTMAS TREE CAKE - SOLO-DOLCE



Cream Puff Christmas Tree Cake - Solo-Dolce image

A delicious Cream Puff Christmas Tree Cake is what it takes to attract the attention (and appetite) of all your guests during Christmas lunch.

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 31

240 ml water (1 cup)
100 g butter (~ 8 tbsp)
4 eggs
130 g flour 00 (~ 1 cup)
1 pinch of salt
1 Tbsp sugar
5 medium eggs room temperature
130 g flour 00 (4.6 oz)
30 g potato starch (1.1 oz)
150 g sugar (⅔ cup)
1 grated lemon peel
1 scraped vanilla bean
100 g flour (1 cup)
100 g powdered sugar (1 cup)
100 g soft butter (7.05 Tbsp)
3 white eggs
850g ricotta cheese (30 oz)
300g heavy whipping cream (1 - 1/3 cup)
250g powdered sugar (~ 2 - 1/4 cups)
160g Unsalted Peeled Pistachios (5.64 oz)
150 g Sugar (3/4 cup)
100 g White Chocolate (3.5 oz)
50 g Butter (3.5 Tbsp)
100 ml Milk (~ 1/2 cup)
250 ml of fresh orange juice (1cup)
50ml of fresh lemon juice
40 ml of water (~3 tbsp)
80 g of sugar (3 1/4 tbsp)
200g granulated sugar (1 cup)
100ml water (1/2 cup)
1Tbsp lemon juice

Steps:

  • Pour the water into a saucepan.
  • Add the butter, sugar, and salt and bring to a boil.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and add the flour, stirring continuously avoiding lumps.
  • Place the pot back on low heat and stir vigorously slamming the mixture with a wooden spoon, until the dough combines and begins to come away from the sides of the pot (you will see a white film on the walls of the pot).
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200° C)
  • Add the eggs one by one to the cool mixture and mix well before adding the additional eggs, one at a time.
  • Spoon the dough into a "sac a poche" (pastry bag) and pipe the desired shape onto the baking sheet.
  • Then with a damp finger, flatten the apex.
  • Bake until the choux pastry shells puff up and are golden brown on top (35-40 minutes).
  • Fill the puff creams from the bottom first with the pistachio cream and then with ricotta cream, being careful to keep the cream inside of the choux pastry meaning don't fill it up too much to the point where the cream is dripping out.
  • Mix the eggs with the sugar.
  • Beat the mixture in a mixer for 15-20 minutes at medium speed.
  • Add the sifted flour and starch potatoes with a spatula from the bottom to the top to obtain a homogeneous consistency.
  • Put the mixture into the cake pan (24 cm in diameter - 9-inches round and 1 1/2 inch deep) properly greased and lightly floured.
  • Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for about 40-50 minutes, never open the oven before 35 minutes.
  • Do the toothpick test to check cooking, insert it in centers, and has to come out clean.
  • After the time necessary to allow it to cool and remove it from the mold.
  • Allow the sponge cake to cool completely before slicing.
  • Cut the cake into two layers and soak them with the orange lemon syrup.
  • Pipe ¼ of ricotta cream on the soaked bottom layer.
  • Cover with the other soaked layer and frost with the other ¼ ricotta cream over the top and the sides of the cake.
  • Mix the ricotta with the sieved sugar.
  • Combine it with whipped cream to obtain a soft and silky cream.
  • Divide the mixture into two equal parts, which are to be used for the sponge cake and to fill the choux pastries.
  • Blend the pistachios with the sugar in a blender until you get a paste, add half the milk, and continue to blend them.
  • In a saucepan, melt the butter and the chopped chocolate over low heat in the remaining milk.
  • Remove from the heater and add the pistachio paste and mix everything together.
  • Add the pistachio paste and mix everything together.
  • Then with a hand mixer, blend everything until you get a smooth and homogeneous cream.
  • Mix the soft butter with 1 cup of powdered sugar very well with the electric whisk.
  • Then add the egg whites, always mixing with the whisk, and when the mixture is well amalgamated add the sieved flour.
  • Preheat the oven to 180 °C (350°F).
  • Prepare greaseproof paper disks :1 of 10 cm (4 inches) diameter, 2 of 16 cm (6.5 inches), and 1 of 22 cm ( 9 inches).
  • Spread evenly the mixture over each disk to cover it.
  • Cook in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes.
  • Let them cool down.
  • Prepare the fresh orange and lemon juices (you need 4 oranges and 2 lemons) and set them aside.
  • In the meantime, put the sugar water in a saucepan and place it on the stove.
  • Make sure the heat is low and mix the sugar and water solution until it comes to a boil.
  • When you notice that the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture has thickened, turn off the heat.
  • Add the orange juice and continue stirring and let it cool.
  • In a thick-bottomed saucepan, pour the sugar and then cover the sugar in water and lemon juice.
  • Stir with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar, then put it over medium heat without stirring, if you see that the sugar sticking to the bottom, swirl the saucepan.
  • As soon as the sugar reaches an amber color, turn off and immerse the saucepan in cold water to cool it down.
  • Take the cake and place it on a cake stand.
  • Dip the stuffed beignets in the caramel,
  • it will serve as a binder between one cream puff and another and give it that crystallized effect.
  • Arrange 8 beignets on the cake in a circular shape and one in the center, choose almost all of them of the same size and height.
  • And then I placed the disc with a diameter of 9 inches on the 8 puff creams.
  • For an easier visual description here is how I arranged them fromtop to bottom:
  • 1 puff cream
  • Disk- 4 inches
  • 3 puff creams
  • Disk- 6.5 inches
  • 4 puff creams
  • Disk- 6.5 inches
  • 6 puff creams
  • Disk- 9 inches
  • 8 puff creams
  • cake

CHRISTMAS TREE CAKE



Christmas Tree Cake image

Turn an ordinary rectangular cake into a festive Christmas memory. You'll find few cakes that are easier to decorate!

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 4h20m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ cake mix (any flavor*)
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
Tray or piece of cardboard covered with foil
2 containers Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting
3 candy canes, broken to remove curved ends
Green colored sugar
Assorted small gumdrops, if desired

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Make and bake cake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour. For easier handling, refrigerate or freeze cake 30 to 60 minutes or until firm.
  • Using serrated knife, cut rounded top off cake to level surface; place cut side down. From the middle of one short side, make a diagonal cut to each corner on opposite side, making 3 triangular pieces. (See diagram below in Expert Tips.) Make tree shape by arranging 2 outer pieces with straight 13-inch sides together on foil-covered tray; frost top. Place remaining center piece on top.
  • Spread a thin layer of frosting over top and sides to seal in crumbs. Refrigerate or freeze cake 30 to 60 minutes to set frosting. Frost entire cake with remaining frosting. Press candy cane pieces in end of tree to make trunk. Sprinkle with colored sugar to look like boughs. Arrange gumdrops on cake to look like lights or ornaments. Store loosely covered.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 480, Carbohydrate 65 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Fat 4 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 330 mg, Sugar 49 g, TransFat 3 1/2 g

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