Christmas Tree Spice Cake Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive showstopper that’s as delicious as it is eye-catching, you’ve got to try this Christmas Tree Spice Cake Recipe. It’s packed with warm spices, layered with luscious buttercream, and decorated in greens and reds that bring holiday cheer to any dessert table. I absolutely love how this turns out every year — it’s my go-to cake to impress guests without the stress.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Christmas Tree Spice Cake Recipe lies in the balance between aromatic spices and moist layers, complemented perfectly by a rich, velvety buttercream. Let me walk you through some key ingredients and why they matter.

• All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure for tender, spiced cake layers.
• Granulated and light brown sugar: The brown sugar adds moisture and caramel notes, elevating the spice flavors.
• Baking powder and fine salt: Help the cake rise evenly and balance sweetness.
• Ground cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg: These classic holiday spices give the cake its signature warm and inviting flavor.
• Unsalted butter: For richness and tenderness.
• Large eggs: They bind everything together and add stability.
• Full-fat sour cream and unsweetened applesauce: Both help keep the cake moist and add subtle tanginess.
• Vegetable or canola oil: Adds extra moisture without weighing down the layers.
• Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste: Enhances all the flavors, giving depth and warmth.
• Green gel food coloring: For that festive tree effect in the cake layers and frosting.
• Unsalted butter for frosting: Makes the buttercream rich and creamy.
• Powdered sugar and heavy whipping cream: Create the fluffy, smooth frosting that’s easy to pipe and decorate.
• Gel food coloring in green, yellow, and red: Bring the cake’s decoration to life with vibrant holiday colors.

Variations

I love that this Christmas Tree Spice Cake Recipe is flexible—you can make it your own, whether you want a nut-free version, a little extra texture, or even a different kind of frosting. Here are some tweaks I’ve tried that you might enjoy.

• Nutty twist: I sometimes fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for a little crunch and earthiness, which my family goes crazy for.
• Gluten-free swap: Using a gluten-free flour blend works well—just be sure to check your mix’s instructions for any necessary tweaks.
• Spice adjustments: Feel free to increase the ginger or swap nutmeg for cloves if you like a bolder spice profile.
• Frosting flavors: Adding a touch of almond extract or even a dash of cinnamon to the buttercream makes it extra special.

How to Make Christmas Tree Spice Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep and mix your spiced cake batter

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your cake pans (an 8″, 7″, two 6″, and two 4″) with parchment rounds and grease them well. I like to use non-stick baking spray to help the cakes come out cleanly. In a large bowl, mix your dry ingredients: flour, sugars, baking powder, salt, and all those cozy spices until they’re well combined.

Next, add your softened butter gradually to the dry mix on a low speed—this is key! You want the butter broken down and evenly dispersed, but no big chunks. Then, add your eggs two at a time, mixing gently until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing; that keeps your cake tender.

Step 2: Incorporate the wet ingredients and add color

Pour in your room temperature sour cream, applesauce, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Mix those in on low speed until everything’s just combined. Give the bowl a good scrape with a rubber spatula, then beat on medium speed for about a minute to fully marry the ingredients—this step helps with the cake’s texture.

Now it’s time for the festive fun! Divide the batter into two bowls. Tint half with a lighter green gel food coloring and the other half a darker shade. When filling your pans, spoon a mix of both green batters in each pan and swirl with a butter knife or offset spatula to create a pretty marbled look—a little trick I discovered that adds so much character to the finished cake.

Step 3: Bake and cool your cake layers

Bake your cakes for about 28 to 33 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes before carefully running a spatula around the edges and flipping them out onto wire racks. Once fully cool, use a serrated knife to level the tops. Then it’s time to trim the edges to form that classic Christmas tree taper. Pro tip: If you want to prep ahead, these layers freeze wonderfully—just thaw them for about 20 minutes before assembling, keeping them slightly cool for easier handling.

Step 4: Whip up the buttery frosting

While your cake cools, tackle the buttercream. Beat your room temperature butter in a mixer on medium speed for about 30 seconds until smooth. Add vanilla and salt, then gradually beat in powdered sugar and heavy cream on low speed until creamy. Adjust with more cream or sugar to get your perfect frosting consistency. I wait to color the frosting until I’m ready to decorate to avoid it drying out or shifting shades.

Step 5: Stack, crumb coat, and chill

Start stacking your trimmed cake layers largest to smallest on a greaseproof board or plate. Use a dab of frosting under the first layer to stabilize. Spread evenly between each layer, then insert a thick straw or wooden dowel through the center for support—especially important for that tree shape. Slather the entire cake with a thin crumb coat of frosting and smooth it out. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let the frosting firm up—it makes decorating so much easier.

Step 6: Color and decorate like a pro

Divide your remaining frosting by color: green (light and dark), red, yellow, and white for classic Christmas colors. Using piping bags and various tips, pipe rosettes and dollops all over your cake. I especially love piping the green star tips to mimic pine needles—makes the tree come alive. The pops of red and yellow give it a playful, festive look that gets compliments every time.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Spice Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding a sprinkle of edible glitter or pearlized sugar over the frosted tree for a bit of sparkle, making it extra magical on the holiday table. Fresh cranberries also add a lovely natural pop of red and are a fun, edible decoration that guests enjoy nibbling on.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with a simple cup of spiced hot apple cider or a creamy eggnog. I find that lighter fruit sides like a citrus salad or even roasted winter berries complement the rich, spiced cake without overwhelming it.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged the cake on a platter surrounded by sprigs of fresh rosemary and pine for an earthy holiday display. You can also place small edible gold stars on top of the cake or use candy canes angled like the trunk of a tree for a whimsical touch. It’s a conversation starter every time!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled and decorated, I store any leftover Christmas Tree Spice Cake wrapped in plastic wrap and covered with a cake dome or airtight container in the fridge. This keeps the cake moist and flavors bright for up to a week. If you cut the cake before storing, spread some extra frosting over the cut edges to lock in moisture—it’s a game changer!

Freezing

I often bake the cake layers ahead and freeze them before assembling. Wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil, they keep for up to three months. You can also freeze the whole frosted cake (double wrapped) for about a month. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

Since it’s a cake, you don’t really reheat it—just bring slices to room temperature to let the flavors shine. If you do want to warm a slice, a few seconds in the microwave works but don’t overdo it or the frosting might start to melt.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Spice Cake Recipe has become a beloved tradition in my home because it’s a delicious centerpiece that truly embodies the holiday spirit. It’s not just about how it looks; it’s the warm spices, the creamy frosting, and the joy of assembling something festive that makes this recipe so special. I encourage you to give it a try—whether for a party, family gathering, or just a cozy dessert to enjoy by candlelight. You’ll love the way it brings a little extra magic to your celebration!

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