Description
A delightful and festive cake perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 4 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream (for frosting)
- Red and green food coloring
- Edible decorations: sugar pearls, cranberries, pre-made fondant poinsettias, and holly leaves
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a bundt cake pan.
- Make the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared bundt cake pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and mix. Add heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, to reach a smooth and spreadable consistency. Divide the frosting into two portions. Tint one portion with red food coloring and the other with green.
- Decorate the Cake: Use the frosting to pipe a decorative border around the cake. Arrange the fondant poinsettias and holly leaves on the frosting. Attach sugar pearls and cranberries as accents. Lightly dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing.
- Adjust the food coloring to achieve desired shades.
- If making poinsettias and holly leaves from scratch, prepare them a day ahead to allow them to set.
- Store any remaining cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice