Description
A festive homemade version of the classic Christmas tree snack cake, featuring moist chocolate layers and a decorative green buttercream finish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Green food coloring
- Multi-colored sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
- Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Cut one cake into a large triangle and the other into two smaller triangles (one medium, one small) to create the tree tiers.
- Prepare the buttercream by beating 2 cups of softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Divide the frosting and stir green food coloring into the majority of it. Keep a small amount white for the tree trunk if desired.
- Stack the cake triangles from largest to smallest, spreading a layer of frosting between each tier.
- Using a piping bag with a star tip, pipe green frosting dollops over the entire cake to create the pine tree effect.
- Finish by pressing multi-colored sprinkles into the frosting to serve as ornaments.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American