Friday, December 23, 2011

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!!

28 comments:

  1. This is the most beautiful Christmas tree I saw this year!! Bravo dear, you do an excellent job!! Happy Christmas to you and your family!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love that it is PINK tree. Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Absolutely STUNNING...you are so talented! Thanks for sharing - I love seeing all of your items on FoodBuzz!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congrats on the news story! I love the pink tree, amazing. Also, I do not ever think I would tire of your cute little penguins either. I wish that dessert table was at my house-elegant as well as delicious.
    You know you probably should look into insuring those skilled hands of yours!
    I wish you all the joy and love that this holiday season has to offer. Merry Christmas to your and yours.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I can't imagine having a family big enough to finish that beautiful Christmas dessert buffet -- actually, that buffet is so pretty I can't even imagine wanting to take a bite out of anything!

    Congrats on your cupcakes and Merry Christmas. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gorgeous! Another amazing creation! I could stare at your desserts forever...they're all so wonderful. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am stunned by this, absolutely beautiful, Meghan! The merriest of Christmas wishes to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a gorgeous table! My kids would absolutely love that!! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous12/23/2011

    What a spread!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous12/23/2011

    Stunning as usual! The tree is terrific and I know how temperamental Italian buttercream can be - bravo! Your penguin cupcakes were terrific and well deserved for Top9! Congratulations and Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Absolutely beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is stunning. I wish I had your piping skills. I need to take a class or something. Love pink too so this is right up my alley!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Meghan-I am in awe of your beautiful creations, as always...but this dreamy-creamy pink delightful tree...takes my breath away! Gorgeous, beyond words!!!
    Wishing you, and yours a Blessed, and Merry Christmas!
    Hugs,

    ReplyDelete
  14. Everything you bake is just stunning! Thanks for being an inspiration with your talent and spirit this year!!! Merry Christmas, Meghan!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Seriously, this is just gorgeous! You are so talented! LOVE that dessert table!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Everything you make is just so beautiful! This is a wonderful Christmas treat :)

    Buzzed!

    And Merry Christmas :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Woo-hoo! Great article and a gorgeous, gorgeous spread in these photos. Another winner! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Congrats on the news story! Beautiful cake!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous12/25/2011

    Holy Wow!!!! I'm bowing down to you right now. I'm in awe, reall I am.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is so cute! I love it, and would love to have it in my house! The pink is adorable ;). Hope you had a wonderful Christmas weekend :)!

    ReplyDelete
  21. OMG your Christmas tree came out gorgeous! Happy Holidays!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Everything you bake is just amazing!!! This gorgeous tree cake included! Congratulations on the national press, too. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas~

    ReplyDelete
  23. Indeed a gorgeous Christmas Tree Cake and cupcakes! The colour combinations of soft pink and silver are just brilliant!

    Happy holidays!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. What stunning holiday treats...hope you had a great Christmas and have an amazing New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  25. The best part of this post? the PINK! my fav color! :D

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks guys! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. OMYGOSH! This is sooo stunning and beautiful, and it looks scrumptious!

    Happy New Year to you, Meghan! I can't wait to see what sweet treats you share with us in 2012 :D

    --shelley

    ReplyDelete