Description
A festive and soft red velvet cake shaped like a holiday tree, featuring a tender crumb and topped with creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting and colorful decorations.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 2–3 tablespoons colorful sprinkles
- 1/4 cup small candy pieces (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a tree-shaped or regular cake pan.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix buttermilk, oil, eggs, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing gently until smooth.
- Pour batter into pan and bake for 30–35 minutes until done.
- Cool for 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until smooth and fluffy.
- Spread frosting over cooled cake.
- Decorate with sprinkles and candies to resemble a tree.
Notes
- Do not overmix batter to keep cake light.
- Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter and frosting.
- Let cake cool completely before frosting.
- Buttermilk gives the best texture and flavor.
- Decorate just before serving for best appearance.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
