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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Christmas Tree Cake

    Published: Nov 13, 2021 · Modified: Jul 9, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    A Christmas tree cake is the perfect addition to any holiday party. It's festive, delicious, and easy to make! This cute recipe will be a hit with your family and friends at the next get-together.

    What's a better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a Christmas tree cake? This festive treat is easy to make and will be sure to delight all of your friends and family. Not only does this You can even get creative by adding some ornaments if you want. Just follow these simple instructions and you'll have an awesome cake in no time!

    A slice of Christmas Tree Cake with ball shaped sprinkles served on a black plate with a fork. Entire cake seen in the background out of focus.

    Christmas Cake Ideas

    The holidays are here once again, which means that it's time for all of your favorite traditions. One tradition that many people love during this time of year is baking or buying some type of special dessert for their loved ones. If you're looking for something new this year, then you should consider making a Christmas tree cake! Not only does it look absolutely stunning on your table but it tastes great too! Keep reading if you want to learn how to create one yourself. This Christmas tree cake is the perfect Christmas Cake idea!

    Ingredients

    This easy Christmas dessert doesn't require any fancy ingredients. Just gather up these basic pantry staples and get ready to make this festive dessert.

    • prepared white cake mix
    • powdered sugar
    • butter
    • vanilla
    • milk
    • green food coloring
    • brown food coloring
    • sprinkles

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    How to Make Christmas Tree Cake

    Are you ready to make this festive and fun dessert? Follow these seven simple steps and you will be so glad that you did.

    Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare the baking pan

    Preheat oven to 350ºF. Prepare a 9x13 cake pan by lining it with parchment paper and
    spraying it with cooking oil. Set aside.

    Step 2: Prepare cake batter according to the box directions

    Prepare cake batter according to the box directions. Add green food coloring until the desired color is reached. Transfer batter to the prepared cake pan.

    Step 3: Bake the cake

    Bake according to box directions. Allow cake to cool completely. Remove cake from pan by lifting the parchment paper.

    Step 4: Shape the cake

    Using a sharp knife, cut the cake into a tree shape. Using the part that you cut off, cut out a small rectangle for the trunk of the tree. Place it under the tree.

    Step 5: Make the frosting

    Prepare frosting by beating powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla together. Add milk until desired consistency is reached.

    Step 6: Color the frosting

    Separate out a small amount of frosting for the trunk. Add brown food
    coloring until the desired color is reached. Add green food coloring to the remaining frosting until the desired color is reached.

    Step 7: Frost the cake

    Frosting tree and trunk with the correct colored frosting. Using a fork, create marks on the tree to represent pine branches. Add sprinkles to the tree.

    Green colored decorated cake in the shape of a Christmas tree including a brown trunk. Topped with rainbow colored small ball shaped sprinkles.
Placed on a cutting board and surrounded by red and white paper confetti, more confetti in a red cup labeled "Merry Christmas"

    Substitutions

    Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this Christmas Tree Cake.

    • Cake Mix - If you don't want to use a boxed cake mix, you can use a homemade vanilla cake.
    • Frosting - Canned frosting will work in a pinch, just be sure to buy two cans.
    • Heavy Cream- Did you run out of milk? Heavy cream can be used in it's place.

    Variations

    Want to personalize this Christmas Tree Cake recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

    • Sprinkles - Add any type of sprinkles or decorations that your family enjoys.
    • Snow- Want a snow covered tree look for your cake? Dust the tree with powdered sugar.

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this Christmas Funfetti Bread recipe.

    piece of christmas tree cake on a fork in the air about a large slice of cake. A black plate and confetti can be seen in the background.

    Equipment

    To make this Christmas Tree Cake you need a handful of kitchen tools. Decorating this cake does take a little bit of effort but you will be so glad that you did.

    • baking pan
    • three mixing bowls
    • fork
    • piping bag or knife
    • parchment paper

    Storage

    Christmas Tree Cake can be stored on the counter away from heat sources in an airtight container for up to five days.

    A slice of Christmas Tree Cake with ball shaped sprinkles served on a black plate with a fork. Entire cake seen in the background out of focus.
The slice has been half eaten, the fork covered in frosting.

    More Christmas Recipes

    Do you like Christmas recipes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try

    • Christmas Oreos
    • Christmas Crack Pretzel Toffee Candy
    • Grinch Rice Krispies Treats Pops

    FAQ

    Do you have questions about Christmas Tree Cake? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this recipe.

    Can I freeze Christmas Tree Cake?

    Yes! This cake freezes well. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Can I make this recipe ahead?

    Yes! You can make this delicious cake up to 24 hours ahead of time.

    Can I use a homemade cake instead of a box mix?

    Certainly! Whip up a batch of your favorite homemade cake mix and use it instead.

    Christmas Tree Cake

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    Christmas Tree Cake

    Karin and Ken
    This Christmas Tree Cake is a show stopper that will impress your friends, family, co-workers and more.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 Servings
    Calories 94 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9x13 cake pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 boxed white cake mix prepared as directed
    • 3 cups powdered sugar
    • ½ cup butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2-3 tablespoons milk
    • green food coloring
    • brown food coloring
    • colorful sprinkles
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Get out and measure your ingredients.
      Overhead photo of all the ingredients.
    • Preheat oven to 350ºF.
    • Prepare a 9x13 cake pan by lining it with parchment paper and spraying it with cooking oil. Set aside.
    • Prepare cake batter according to the box directions. Mine required eggs.
      Cake mix with three eggs inside a large mixing bowl.
    • And oil.
      Pouring oil into the mixing bowl.
    • Add green food coloring
      Green food coloring added to the mixing bowl.
    • Until desired color is reached.
      Food coloring mixed well inside the mixing bowl.
    • Transfer batter to prepared cake pan.
      Batter poured into a prepared cake pan.
    • Bake according to box directions.
      Baked cake inside a cake pan.
    • Allow cake to cool completely. Remove cake from pan by lifting the parchment paper.
      Cake cooling outside the cake pan.
    • Using a sharp knife, cut cake into a tree shape.
      Cake cut into the shape of a Christmas three.
    • Using the part that you cut off, cut out a small rectangle for the trunk of the tree.
      A piece of cake is used to give the tree a trunk.
    • Prepare frosting by beating powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla together.
      Powdered sugar and butter placed inside a large mixing bowl.
    • Add milk.
      Pouring milk into a large mixing bowl.
    • Beat or whip until desired consistency is reached.
      Ingredients are mixed well.
    • Separate out a small amount of frosting for the trunk. Add brown food coloring until desired color is reached.
    • Add green food coloring to the remaining frosting until desired color is reached.
      Green food coloring added to the frosting.
    • Frosting tree and trunk with the correct colored frosting.
      Green frosting spread onto the tree shaped cake.
    • Using a fork, create marks on the tree to represent pine branches.
      A fork is used to decorate the frosting.
    • Add sprinkles to the tree.
      Multicolored sprinkles sprinkled onto the cake.
    • Use a piece of extra cake and cut in the shape of a star or another decoration for on top of the tree. Some yellow sprinkles will work great too!
      Yellow star-shaped sprinkles added to the top of the tree. The trunk has been coated in chocolate.
    • Serve.
      decorated christmas three cake on a wooden cutting board
    • Slice.
      Closeup photo of a slice of Christmas tree cake with a fork.
    • Enjoy every bite!
      piece of christmas tree cake on a fork in the air

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1ServingCalories: 94kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 10mgPotassium: 13mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 15IUCalcium: 11mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword christmas tree cake
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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