Christmas Tree Cake

Well I finally put my Christmas tree up, and there's no doubt that it's totally me!  I make a Christmas tree cake every  year for my family, and I just wanted to do it up a little different this time.  I knew I'd be making walnut kiss cookies and peppermint milanos, so I thought it would be sweet if I tied everything together. There's also the my whole world is pink thing that might have been a factor in this project as well!

The tree is layers upon layers of red velvet cake.  I filled it with cookies and cream filling, and frosted it with my Italian meringue buttercream.  To construct the cake, I baked two 10 inch cakes, one 8 inch, one 6 inch, and one 4 inch cake.  After they were baked I popped them all in the freezer over night so they wouldn't fall apart while I was carving the tree shape.  To assemble the cake, I filled and stacked them, and then started shaping it.  I just kind of wing it every year.  Once I get it shaped like a tree I apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream and refrigerate it.  Next I piped on a LOT of buttercream.  I used tip #133, the same one I used for the monster cupcakes.  All the ornaments are made out of fondant.  I used cookie cutters to cut them out and then covered them in silver disco dust.  Instead of topping the tree with a star, I opted for a bow.  I'm glad I did, it really completes the look I was going for.  I also made some more penguin cupcakes in coordinating hats to join the party as well!

While I'm on the subject of penguins, I would like to thank all of you for your kind words on the cupcakes.  I'm so happy you guys love penguins as much as I do!  I also want to thank Raycom Media and reporter Joseph Neese for featuring me in a national news story this week.  If you would like to check it out, you can do so here.  Last I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  I hope you get to enjoy time with your family, relax, and eat lots of dessert!!