Christmas Tree Cake

Every year when December rolls in, I find myself wanting to bake something that instantly feels like Christmas.

Not just any cake with frosting, but something that makes people stop, smile, and say, “Wow, that’s festive!”

That’s exactly why I love making a Christmas Tree Cake. It’s playful, it’s cheerful, and it looks like it came straight out of a holiday storybook.

What makes this cake extra special is how easy it is to bring to life. You don’t need fancy tools or bakery-level skills.

All it takes is a simple cake base, some colorful decorations, and a little bit of piping magic. By the time you set it down on the table, it doesn’t just serve as dessert—it feels like a holiday decoration you can actually eat.

And trust me, the kids will circle around it like it’s the real tree in the living room.

Christmas Tree Cake Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup whole milk, room temperature
½ cup plain yogurt

For the Buttercream Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2–3 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring
Brown gel food coloring

For Decoration:

1 yellow fondant star (ready-made or homemade)
Small red and white candy canes
Assorted colorful round candies (red, blue, yellow, green)
White decorating icing (piping tube or homemade royal icing)

Instructions

Prepare the Cake Batter:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and flour a rectangular 9×13-inch cake pan.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
Mix in half of the dry ingredients, then add the yogurt. Mix in the remaining dry ingredients, alternating with the milk. Do not overmix.

Bake the Cake:

Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
Let the cake cool completely before shaping.

Shape the Tree:

Once cooled, transfer the cake onto a large cutting board.
Cut the cake into a triangle shape resembling a Christmas tree. Keep the offcuts aside.
From the leftover pieces, cut a small rectangle and attach it to the bottom as the tree trunk (use a little frosting to stick it on).

Make the Buttercream:

In a bowl, beat butter until creamy.
Add powdered sugar gradually, mixing well after each addition.
Add vanilla extract and milk until you get a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Divide a small portion into a separate bowl and tint it brown for the tree trunk.
Tint the remaining buttercream with green gel food coloring until you get a vibrant tree-green shade.

Frost the Tree:

Fit a piping bag with a star tip and fill with green frosting.
Pipe small star-shaped dollops all over the tree section to mimic pine needles.
For the trunk, use a small piping bag fitted with a basketweave or plain tip and pipe brown frosting vertically to resemble bark.

Decorate the Tree:

Place the yellow fondant star at the top.
Pipe white icing in a gentle zigzag pattern across the tree to look like garland.
Stick colorful round candies evenly across the tree as ornaments.
Add mini candy canes for a festive touch.

Presentation:

Place the decorated cake carefully on a white serving platter.
Surround with festive ornaments and greenery for the same effect as the image.

How Do You Keep a Christmas Tree Cake Moist?

Keeping the cake soft and fresh is all about handling it the right way after baking.

Syrup brushing: Lightly brush the cooled cake with simple sugar syrup to lock in moisture.
Proper wrapping: Always wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap before decorating.
Avoid fridge dryness: If storing in the fridge, cover with both wrap and foil so it doesn’t dry out.
Butter-based frosting: Use buttercream instead of whipped cream because it helps seal in freshness.

Can I Use a Boxed Cake Mix For Christmas Tree Cake?

Yes, a boxed cake mix works perfectly if you want to save time. Just bake it in the right pan and then shape it into a tree. You can make it taste more homemade by:

Adding: an extra egg for richness.
Replacing: water with milk for better texture.
Mixing: in a spoon of yogurt or sour cream for extra moisture.

How Do You Cut a Cake Into a Christmas Tree Shape?

Shaping the cake is easier than it looks, and you don’t need special pans.

Bake in a rectangle pan: A 9×13-inch pan works well.
Cut triangle shape: Slice the cake into a large triangle for the tree.
Use leftovers: From the cut-off edges, create a small rectangle for the trunk.
Smooth trimming: Use a sharp knife and trim slowly to keep the shape neat.

How Can I Make a Christmas Tree Cake Without Fondant?

You don’t need fondant to make it look beautiful. Buttercream and candies work just as well.

Green buttercream: Pipe star-shaped dollops with a star tip for the pine effect.
Candy ornaments: Use colorful round candies, sprinkles, or small chocolates.
Edible star: Cut a star out of yellow fruit leather or use a candy topper.
White details: Pipe icing lines to look like garlands.

Can I Bake The Cake In Advance And Decorate It Later?

Yes, you can bake ahead. Just be sure to store it properly so it doesn’t dry out.

Bake 1–2 days early: Keep it wrapped tightly in plastic at room temperature.
For longer storage: Freeze the cake, then thaw overnight before decorating.
Wait before frosting: Only decorate when the cake is fully cool or thawed.

Can Kids Help In Decorating The Christmas Tree Cake?

Yes, and it makes the process even more fun. Kids enjoy adding candies and colors.

Place candies: Let them stick colorful candies as ornaments.
Spread frosting: Give them a small spatula to spread frosting on the trunk.
Add sprinkles: Provide a bowl of sprinkles and let them shake it on the cake.
Star topper: Allow them to place the final star on top.

Is It Possible To Make a No-Bake Christmas Tree Cake?

Yes, a no-bake version is possible if you don’t want to use the oven.

Cookie base: Layer crushed biscuits with cream and shape into a triangle.
Ice cream cake: Freeze ice cream in a tree-shaped mold and decorate on top.
Rice Krispies: Mold Rice Krispies mixture into a tree and decorate with icing.

What Size Pan Is Best For a Christmas Tree Cake?

The pan size matters because it helps you cut the right tree shape.

9×13-inch rectangle: Best size for cutting a clear tree shape.
Square pan: Can also be used, then trim diagonally into a triangle.
Round pan: Works for layering but needs more trimming to get the shape.

How Do You Transport a Decorated Christmas Tree Cake Safely?

Transporting decorated cakes can be tricky, but a few careful steps make it safe.

Use a sturdy board: Place the cake on a strong cake board larger than the cake.
Secure the base: Tape the board to the box bottom so it doesn’t slide.
Tall box: Choose a cake box tall enough not to touch the decorations.
Cool transport: Keep it in a cool spot of the car, away from heat or sun.

How Do You Store a Christmas Tree Cake?

Store the cake properly so it stays fresh and tasty.

Room temperature: Keep wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigeration: If frosted, place in the fridge covered in a cake dome or wrap loosely in foil.
Freezing: Store undecorated layers in the freezer for up to 2 months, wrapped tightly.

Can a Christmas Tree Cake Be Frozen?

Freezing helps if you need to prepare far in advance.

Wrap layers: Wrap each cooled cake layer tightly in plastic and foil.
Freeze undecorated: Always freeze before frosting for best results.
Thaw safely: Move the cake to the fridge overnight, then bring it to room temperature before decorating.