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Gold and Green Christmas Tree Cake

Gold and green Christmas tree cake is cut from a 9x13-inch sheet cake and topped with smooth green buttercream, gold sanding sugar, and a star. Chill the first frosting layer so the final coat looks neat and holds the tree shape.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
cooling and chilling 1 hour 35 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 900
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cake
  • 1 baking spray for the pan
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1.75 cups granulated sugar
  • 0.75 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs large, at room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1.25 cups whole milk at room temperature
For the frosting
  • 1.5 cups unsalted butter softened
  • 6 cups powdered sugar
  • 5 tbsp heavy cream
  • 0.5 tsp almond extract
  • 1 green gel food coloring as needed
For decorating
  • 2 tbsp gold sanding sugar
  • 1 star sprinkle large, gold

Equipment

  • 1 9x13-inch metal baking pan
  • 1 serving board with a 13-inch edge

Method
 

Bake the cake
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Coat a 9x13-inch metal baking pan with baking spray and line the bottom with parchment.
  3. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk the sugar and oil.
  5. Whisk in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla and milk.
  6. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir just until no dry streaks remain.
  7. Spread the batter evenly in the pan.
  8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes.
  10. Turn the cake out onto a rack and peel off the parchment.
  11. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  12. Set the cake on a large serving board with a 13-inch edge facing you.
  13. Cut from the midpoint of the far 13-inch edge to both ends of a line 7 inches toward you to make a triangle.
  14. Cut a 2x2 1/2-inch trunk from the remaining strip and center it under the triangle.
Make the frosting
  1. Beat the butter in a large bowl until smooth.
  2. Beat in the powdered sugar a cup at a time until combined.
  3. Beat in the heavy cream and almond extract until smooth and spreadable.
  4. Beat in green gel food coloring until the frosting is the shade you want.
Decorate the tree
  1. Spread a thin layer of frosting over the top and sides of the cake, including the trunk seam.
  2. Chill for 20 minutes until the frosting is set.
  3. Spread the remaining frosting over the cake.
  4. Sprinkle with the gold sanding sugar and place the gold star at the tree’s tip.

Notes

For clean frosting, make sure the cake is completely cool before decorating. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; freezing is possible. For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter, milk, and cream alternatives.