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How To Make Mini Christmas Tree Cakes

December 4, 2019 · In: Featured, Holiday, Seasonal, Tutorials

Some people love to decorate gingerbread houses for the Holidays, but I think these mini Christmas tree cakes are such a fun alternative! Not only are they quicker and easier to assemble than a gingerbread house, they double as the perfect, edible Holiday centerpiece for your dessert table. Whether you’re throwing a Holiday party this year or you just want a festive project that’s fun for all ages, these mini Christmas tree cakes are a hit!

3d christmas tree cake tutorial
christmas tree cakes tutorial

I created a huge 3D Christmas Tree Cake last year, and this year it was even more fun making mini versions. Especially since JOANN has such a great assortment of Holiday sprinkles right now. I was so dazzled by the festive sprinkles in their cake decorating aisle that it was hard to choose just one! I ended up with tons of sprinkles between the Wilton 6 pack of blue winter sprinkles and the double pack of Handmade Holiday sprinkles. They all look so great together on these mini Christmas trees. Just look at those tiny gingerbread men and snowflakes!

Christmas tree cake by sugar and sparrow

Underneath all those pretty sprinkles are four layers of cake ranging from 4 inches in diameter to ½ inch. When you stack them on top of one another they end up looking like tiny wedding cakes before you frost them up into a Christmas tree shape! From there, all that’s left to do is use your favorite piping tip to add some details and then decorate to your heart’s desire. You can get really creative with how you decorate these cuties and it’s the perfect project to do with little ones! 

Here’s a quick video of the process before you read all about how to make these mini Christmas tree cakes below:

If you’re into cake decorating videos like this one, be sure to check out my YouTube channel! I’m always adding fun tutorial and recipe videos there, and if you click the Subscribe button you’ll never miss a new one.

You Will Need

  • 8 baked 4-inch cake layers
  • Circular Fondant Cutter Set
  • 2 batches of vanilla buttercream
  • Green food color gel
  • Piping bags
  • Small icing spatula 
  • Wilton Tip 4B
  • Wilton Blue Holiday Sprinkle Mixes
  • Wilton Handmade Holiday Sprinkles
  • Gumpaste or fondant star 
  • 4 inch cardboard cake circles

Step 1: Color the Buttercream

First thing’s first. We’ll need to color that big batch of buttercream. Note that you can use any color (or combination of colors!) you want for these mini Christmas trees. I went with a classic shade of green that I made using the Wilton Color Right System.

how to color buttercream

I think these mini Christmas trees would end up looking amazing in some non-classic colors as well. I’m dying to try them in a vibrant pink or bright white! 

Step 2: Cut out the Cake Layers

Next, it’s time to make all the different sized layers for stacking. Keep three of the 4-inch cake layers as-is, then use the Circular Fondant Cutter Set to cut out smaller circles from the remaining layers.

four inch cake layers

You’ll need three sets of each size since this tutorial ends up making three total mini Christmas trees, and it’s best to map out where you’ll be cutting each cake layer before you start. I used the 3 inch, 2 inch, and ½ inch circular cutters to create three sets of each size.

how to cut out cake layers with circle cookie cutters

Check out this video to see how I planned out where to cut each layer! 

Step 3: Fill and Stack the Cake Layers

Now that you have four different sized layers per mini Christmas tree, it’s time to fill and stack them. Fill a piping bag with buttercream, snip off a ½ inch opening, and place a small dot onto a 4 inch cardboard cake circle, then place the 4 inch cake layer on top. Add a thin layer of buttercream and place the next smallest layer on top. Continue the process until you’ve got what looks like a mini version of a tiered wedding cake (so cute!).

how to build 3d christmas tree cakes

Repeat this step three times, or per amount of mini Christmas trees you’re making.

Step 4: Ice and Shape the Mini Christmas Trees

With your first mini Christmas tree on a cake turntable, use the same piping bag from Step 3 to pipe buttercream all around the cake.

holiday cake tutorial

Then, use a small icing spatula to shape the cake into a tree (aka cone) shape.

buttercream christmas tree cakes

Repeat until you’ve got three mini Christmas trees shaped, then pop them all into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to let the buttercream set up. 

Step 5: Pipe the Details

Fit a piping bag with your favorite piping tip and fill it with more buttercream. I ended up using Wilton Tip 4B because I love how easy it is to create stunning texture. Starting at the bottom of the tree and working your way up, pipe open stars in even lines until the entire tree is covered with them.

how to decorate buttercream christmas tree
piping buttercream with wilton tip 4b

Although I’m using Wilton Tip 4B to pipe the details on my mini Christmas trees, I think they would also look amazing with Wilton Tip 352 (leaf tip), Tip 233 (grass tip), or really any piping tip that you can create fun texture with. 

Step 6: Decorate with Holiday Sprinkles 

Finally, add generous amounts of sprinkles to each mini Christmas tree. I used the Wilton Winter Blue sprinkle set to add blue and white snowflakes, jimmies, and spherical sprinkles that look like tiny ornaments. Then I used the Handmade Holiday sprinkles to add more color and tiny gingerbread men.

wilton holiday sprinkles on christmas tree cake

When you’re finished sprinkling, add a star to the top of each mini Christmas tree. For these, I tinted some gumpaste yellow, rolled it out thin, and cut out each star with a small star cutter. After about 24 hours it’s totally dry to the touch and ready for topping your trees!

how to decorate christmas tree cakes

Pretty cute, right? Such a fun Holiday project whether it’s for adorning your dessert table or creating some festive memories with the family!

christmas party cake tutorial

Not only does JOANN have the ideal Holiday sprinkles for your bakes this season, you’ll find everything else you need for this project. From piping tips and cake pans to chocolate molds and beyond, it’s where I buy the majority of my cake decorating supplies and I know you’ll love their selection. Check out your local JOANN store or their website for all your cake decorating needs (and then some). My recent cart add-ons besides cake stuff: mason jars, photography backgrounds, a grow your own geodes kit, some home decor for the Holidays, and three rolls of yarn because I’m really optimistic about teaching myself to knit now.

christmas tree party cake tutorial

Disclaimer: I was compensated by JOANN for my work of creating this project, styling, filming, photographing, and writing about their products. As always, all opinions are honest and my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support Sugar & Sparrow.

By: Whitney · In: Featured, Holiday, Seasonal, Tutorials · Tagged: 3d christmas tree cake, cake decorating, cake tutorial, christmas cake, christmas party cake, christmas tree cake, holiday cake, holiday cake ideas, holiday party cake, JOANN, mini christmas tree cake, sprinkles, wilton tip 4b

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Comments

  1. SM says

    November 22, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    I just need to let you know that I am blown away by your creativity and so inspired to take on these projects. Your website is one of the very best and your passion shines through. My family celebrations have been enriched by my versions of your creations. My kids love to practice their buttercream piping skills with my left over icing….family traditions are being created as is a love for making home made masterpieces. And, you have helped me to finally kindle a long lost love for cake decorating.

    Thank you and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      November 24, 2021 at 10:00 pm

      Oh my goodness, thank you so much for the kind words! It makes my day to hear that the whole family is making memories in the kitchen and I’m cheering you on in that cake decorating! Thanks for taking the time to let me know 🙂 it’s so encouraging

      Reply
  2. Jade says

    December 2, 2021 at 10:48 am

    Hello! How many cake boxes did you use for one of the trees?

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      December 6, 2021 at 12:16 pm

      Hi Jade! Each tree will fit in a box this size: https://amzn.to/3y2ldiE

      Reply
  3. Cindy says

    December 5, 2021 at 1:02 pm

    Beautiful trees! Do you use american buttercream or Swiss meringue buttercream?

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      December 6, 2021 at 12:13 pm

      Hi Cindy! I use American Buttercream (this recipe: https://sugarandsparrow.com/vanilla-buttercream-recipe/) but they’ll work with Swiss Meringue.

      Reply
  4. Sarah Davies says

    December 7, 2021 at 7:52 am

    I love these trees can’t wait to have a try just adorable

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      December 7, 2021 at 10:48 am

      Yay, Sarah! I hope you get a chance to make one! If you do, I hope you’ll join me in this Holiday Bake Along so I can see how you decorate! https://sugarandsparrow.com/holiday-bake-along/

      Reply
  5. Kelly says

    December 14, 2021 at 10:42 pm

    How long do you bake your 4 inch cakes, and did you fill the pans abut 3/4 full? Does your basic cake recipe make enough batter for 8 layers? I can’t wait to try these!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      December 15, 2021 at 12:48 pm

      Hi Kelly! You can bake any of my cake recipes as 4 inch cakes and my vanilla cake recipe (https://sugarandsparrow.com/vanilla-cake-recipe/) should yield enough batter 8 layers. Fill the pans no more than 2/3 full and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Enjoy!

      Reply
  6. Kate says

    December 19, 2021 at 10:56 pm

    How many people will each cake serve?

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      December 22, 2021 at 11:30 am

      Hi Kate! Each cake should serve 3-4 people depending on how big you cut the slices.

      Reply

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This buttercream color palette + these textures on This buttercream color palette + these textures on mini cupcakes 😍 whipped these up to celebrate @neat_tattoo and their beautiful new space 🥳 details:⁣
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👩🏽‍🍳 recipes: funfetti cake (baked as minis) + vanilla buttercream from sugarandsparrow.com ⁣
🎨 colors: @americolor Tulip Red, Egg Yellow, Royal Blue, Soft Pink, and Sky Blue⁣
✨ piping tips: @wiltoncakes tips 6B, 104, 4B, 1M⁣
📦 cupcake boxes: @amazon ⁣
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#cakedecorating #cake #funfetti #cupcakes #minicupcakes #cupcakedecorating #baking #buttercream #satisfyingfood #cupcakesofinstagram
EARL GREY CAKE ☕️ 🎂 the magic of steeping t EARL GREY CAKE ☕️ 🎂 the magic of steeping the tea leaves AND adding some loose leaf Earl Grey tea into the cake batter gives these layers such incredible, authentic flavor. The ingredients list is below + the full instructions can be found in the “London Fog Cake” link in my bio or at sugarandsparrow.com/london-fog-cake-recipe/⁣
⁣
EARL GREY MILK⁣
1 1/4 Cups (300ml) whole milk*⁣
1 Tbsp (2g) Earl Grey tea, loose leaf⁣
EARL GREY CAKE⁣
2 3/4 Cups (290g) sifted cake flour⁣
2 tsp baking powder⁣
1/2 tsp baking soda⁣
1 tsp Earl Grey tea, finely ground⁣
1/2 tsp salt⁣
1 Cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature⁣
1 3/4 Cups (350g) granulated sugar⁣
3 large eggs, room temperature⁣
1/2 Cup (120g) sour cream, room temperature⁣
2 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣
1 Cup (240ml) Earl Grey milk, room temperature (above)⁣
⁣
*the London Fog cake recipe on my blog lists more milk because part of it is used for the buttercream. If you’re not making the Earl Grey buttercream to pair these cake layers with go with this smaller amount of milk 🥛⁣
⁣⁣
#teacake #earlgreycake #earlgrey #bakedfromscratch#bake #cakesofinstagram #cake #layercake #fallbaking #asmr
BROWN BUTTER FROSTING 🤎 (recipe below) this is BROWN BUTTER FROSTING 🤎 (recipe below) this is the cozy Fall frosting you’ll want to put on all your cakes! It has a decadent, nutty flavor with notes of caramel and it goes with so many things 🙌🏼⁣ Full recipe + cake flavor pairing ideas at sugarandsparrow.com/brown-butter-frosting-recipe/⁣
⁣⁣
Brown Butter Frosting⁣⁣
Yield: 3 Cups ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Ingredients: ⁣⁣
1 Cups (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature, divided⁣⁣
1 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣⁣
3 1/2 Cups (420g) powdered sugar⁣⁣
2 Tbsp whole milk, room temperature⁣⁣
1/4 tsp salt, or to taste⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Instructions: ⁣⁣
1. Brown the butter: Add 1/2 Cup of the unsalted butter into a large frying pan and cook over medium heat until the butter melts, stirring occasionally. Continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes while stirring constantly. The melted butter will start to foam on top, then will turn light brown in color and smell deliciously nutty. Remove from heat at this point and transfer to a glass container. ⁣⁣
2. Cool the brown butter to room temp for about 2 hours on your counter or place it into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. It should be completely room temperature and thick (about the consistency of a thick caramel) before continuing on with the buttercream recipe.⁣⁣
3. Cream the other 1/2 Cup of unsalted butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for 5 minutes on med-high, until creamy and light in color.⁣⁣
4. Add the cooled brown butter and vanilla and mix on medium speed until uniform. Turn the mixer to low speed and add the powdered sugar a few cups at a time, scraping down the bowl and paddle after mixing in each addition. Add the milk and salt and continue mixing on low speed until smooth.⁣⁣⁣
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LONDON FOG CAKE ☕️ ☁️ If you love Earl Gre LONDON FOG CAKE ☕️ ☁️ If you love Earl Grey tea this cake is going to be your jam: layers of deliciously moist Earl-Grey infused cake with silky smooth Earl Grey buttercream and an extra hit of vanilla throughout. It’s the perfect cozy cake for these Fall + Winter months 🍂😍 full recipe linked in my bio + at sugarandsparrow.com/London-fog-cake-recipe⁣
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#londonfog #earlgreycake #earlgrey #saltedcaramel #cakedecorating #buttercreamcake #cakes #teacake #bakedfromscratch #bake #fallbaking
A realistic baking session with my 3 year old 🍪 A realistic baking session with my 3 year old 🍪 it is a mess and requires a fair amount of patience BUT seeing how much he loves to learn + bonding with him while we bake together is worth it ALL! He genuinely loves to be involved in the kitchen which makes it even more fun. Plus we get to enjoy our bakes afterwards so that’s a win win win win👏🏽⁣
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