As the holiday season approaches, many of us are looking for creative and delicious ways to celebrate. One popular idea is to make a Christmas tree cake candle, a festive and Instagram-worthy dessert that combines the magic of Christmas with the warmth of a candle. In this article, we'll explore five different ways to make a Christmas tree cake candle, each with its own unique twist and style.
Why Make a Christmas Tree Cake Candle?
Before we dive into the tutorials, let's talk about why making a Christmas tree cake candle is such a great idea. For one, it's a fun and creative way to get into the holiday spirit. It's also a great way to impress your friends and family with your baking skills. And, let's be real, who wouldn't want to eat a cake that looks like a miniature Christmas tree?
Method 1: The Classic Christmas Tree Cake Candle
To make a classic Christmas tree cake candle, you'll need:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup of whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
- White frosting
- Red and green sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Add a few drops of green food coloring to the batter to give it a festive color.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting with white frosting.
- Use red and green sprinkles to create a festive design on top of the cake.
Turning the Cake into a Candle
To turn your cake into a candle, you'll need:
- A cake turntable
- A small amount of frosting
- A candle or LED light
Instructions:
- Place the cake on a cake turntable to create a spinning effect.
- Use a small amount of frosting to attach a candle or LED light to the top of the cake.
- Place the cake in a dark room and turn on the candle or LED light to create a warm and festive glow.
Method 2: The Chocolate Christmas Tree Cake Candle
To make a chocolate Christmas tree cake candle, you'll need:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup of whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Chocolate frosting
- Red and green sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting with chocolate frosting.
- Use red and green sprinkles to create a festive design on top of the cake.
Turning the Cake into a Candle
To turn your cake into a candle, follow the same instructions as above.
Method 3: The Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cake Candle
To make a gingerbread Christmas tree cake candle, you'll need:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup of white granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup of light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- Royal icing
- Red and green sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, white granulated sugar, and light brown sugar.
- Add the eggs to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
- Use a cookie cutter or a knife to cut out a Christmas tree shape.
- Place the tree shape on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before decorating with royal icing and red and green sprinkles.
Turning the Cake into a Candle
To turn your cake into a candle, follow the same instructions as above.
Method 4: The Vanilla Bean Christmas Tree Cake Candle
To make a vanilla bean Christmas tree cake candle, you'll need:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup of whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste
- White frosting
- Red and green sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean paste.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting with white frosting.
- Use red and green sprinkles to create a festive design on top of the cake.
Turning the Cake into a Candle
To turn your cake into a candle, follow the same instructions as above.
Method 5: The Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cake Candle
To make a red velvet Christmas tree cake candle, you'll need:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup of whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons of red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Cream cheese frosting
- Red and green sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, milk, eggs, red food coloring, and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting with cream cheese frosting.
- Use red and green sprinkles to create a festive design on top of the cake.
Turning the Cake into a Candle
To turn your cake into a candle, follow the same instructions as above.
We hope this article has inspired you to create your own Christmas tree cake candle. Whether you choose to make a classic, chocolate, gingerbread, vanilla bean, or red velvet cake, we're sure it will be a hit with your friends and family. Don't forget to share your creations with us on social media using the hashtag #christmastreecakecandle!
What is the best type of cake to use for a Christmas tree cake candle?
+The best type of cake to use for a Christmas tree cake candle is a dense and moist cake that can hold its shape when carved into a tree shape. Some good options include pound cake, sponge cake, and fruitcake.
How do I get the cake to look like a Christmas tree?
+To get the cake to look like a Christmas tree, you can use a combination of frosting and decorations. Start by frosting the cake with a layer of green frosting, then use a piping bag to create a tree shape on top of the cake. You can also use sprinkles, candies, and other decorations to create a festive look.
Can I use a different type of frosting for my Christmas tree cake candle?
+Yes, you can use a different type of frosting for your Christmas tree cake candle. Some popular options include cream cheese frosting, buttercream frosting, and royal icing. Just be sure to choose a frosting that complements the flavor of your cake and is easy to work with.