Chaos Cake Christmas Swirls (Print)

Festive cake layers and creative buttercream swirls make a playful, vibrant centerpiece for any holiday celebration.

# Components:

→ Cake Layers

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 2 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk
09 - Gel food coloring (green, red, yellow, blue)

→ Buttercream

10 - 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
11 - 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 1/4 cup whole milk
13 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
14 - Pinch of salt
15 - Gel food coloring (green, red, yellow, blue)

→ Decoration

16 - Edible glitter, gold stars, or Christmas sprinkles
17 - Assorted candies (gumdrops, mini chocolate balls)
18 - Pretzel sticks (optional, for tree trunk)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 6-inch, two 4-inch, and one 3-inch round cake pans. Bake in batches if necessary.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and airy for about 3 to 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract.
04 - Add the flour mixture to the creamed butter in three additions, alternating with whole milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
05 - Divide the batter equally into four bowls. Tint each portion with gel food coloring to create vibrant hues. Pour each colored batter into the prepared pans. Use a skewer to gently swirl the batters together for a marbled effect.
06 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto wire racks to cool completely.
07 - Beat softened butter until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, whole milk, vanilla extract, and salt, beating until the mixture is light and fluffy. Divide the buttercream into portions and tint each with gel food coloring.
08 - Level each cake layer if necessary. Stack the cooled cake layers from largest to smallest, spreading buttercream between each layer. Offset the placement of each layer to create a whimsical, crooked tree silhouette.
09 - Using a star or round piping tip, pipe decorative buttercream branches in swirling patterns around the stacked cake layers, alternating the vibrant colors. Adorn the finished tree with edible glitter, assorted candies, and Christmas sprinkles.
10 - If desired, insert a pretzel stick at the base of the cake to serve as the tree trunk.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Brings a whimsical wow factor to any holiday party
  • Uses basic cake and buttercream ingredients found in most kitchens
  • Completely customizable with whatever candies or colors you love
  • Great for involving little helpers in decorating
  • Ready in about an hour and fifteen minutes with showstopping results
02 -
  • High in festive fun and perfect for group decorating
  • Flexible for gluten free diets when using alternate flour
  • Easily adapts to any color theme or seasonal decor

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