The Partiologist: Mini Christmas Tree Cakes!

Mini Christmas Tree Cakes!

I know this time of year, your clicks are limited.  I promise you'll be happy you clicked to see the Mini Christmas Tree Cakes.  I promise.  (Click NOW)

Chocolate Christmas Tree Lot

I guess, it's not as much about the tree cakes, but how they are displayed.  When I wanted something fun to display the cakes, I decided to put them in a tree lot, complete with lights and a Rudolf backdrop. 

This little set up was easy to do, even made my own back drop for the tree lot and if you want, you can make one too!

And once you flip the switch, the tree lot is all lit up!

And of course, the Christmas trees are chocolate and edible.
Sitting on a blanket of snow sugar, waiting for someone to buy a tree off the lot.  Or perhaps just take one off the lot.  No one read the "Trees For Sale" Sign.

I really didn't mind and Rudolf didn't mind either.

I found the perfect size battery operated lights from the dollar store, bought two sets, hung them on wooden dowels and hid the battery pack behind the Christmas Tree backdrop.

Your Christmas tree will grow in no time at all!

Using the Wilton Christmas Tree pan, I baked my favorite chocolate tree recipe.  (Below)

To unmold the trees perfectly each time, I popped the trees in the freezer.  This way they held their shape.  No one wants a squished tree.  I know, for the sake of the farm, I ate several squished trees.

Then I made a little glaze icing, filled a pastry bag and snipped the end.

Piped around the tree, just like you were decorating.

Before the glaze set, I sprinkled with tiny colored dragees for the lights.

It's been years since I've been to a tree lot, having all artificial Christmas trees, this was the next best thing.  Plus, the trees were chocolate.

And the best thing about chocolate is...well, CHOCOLATE!

I made the tree lot backdrop using digital clipart and then ordered a cardboard poster from Walgreen's Photo.

Download HERE

Christmas Tree Cakes recipe adapted from Food Network  

Mini Christmas Tree Cakes

by The Partiologist


Ingredients
For The Cake
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/8 cups cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-process
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups very hot water
For the Glaze
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla or flavoring of your choice
  • 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
For the Cake

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray Wilton Silicone Tree Pan with non stick baking spray.
Sift together the 3 cups sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Transfer to a mixer and blend briefly. Whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Add to the dry ingredients and mix at low speed for 5 minutes. Gradually add the hot water, mixing at low speed just until combined. The batter will be quite thin.
Pour the batter into the individual tree mold. Bake until a tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean and the center feels firm to the touch, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool complete to remove or you can freeze the cakes in the mold before moving.

For the Glaze

Mix the confectioners' sugar, butter, and vanilla together.
Adding half the milk to start with, stir in to make a thick glaze, adding just a drop at a time more until you get a nice thick glaze.
Fill pastry bag (or zip lock bag) and snip the end so the glaze will flow out.
Pipe the glaze around the Christmas Tree Cakes and immediately sprinkle with dragees or any other sprinkle.
I do hope you enjoyed your trip to the tree lot today, thank you for joining me.

And clicking.

10 comments :

  1. Ha ha, this is so funny, I'm glad I clicked! :) Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is delightful! I think I wouldn't be able to resist adding a few "Charlie Brown trees" made of skinny pretzel sticks! Then I'd put it out at the Cousin's Annual Christmas Movie Night Sleepover at Aunt Christy's house! You know which movie we'd watch!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you J, I love your idea of adding a few Charlie Brown trees and your movie night sounds like such fun! :)

      Delete
  3. What a fun and festive way to showcase your chocolate trees. You are so incredibly clever!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Beth, when I showed my husband this little tree lot, he said he thought I had a screw loose, I took it as a compliment! LOL

      Delete
  4. HAHA! i LOVE your loose screws! if only more people would use them like you do :) oh and i would like to buy the whole tree lot please. including the backdrop and lights. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Replies
    1. Thank you for taking the trip to the tree lot with me!

      Delete

Get Fun Food and Party Ideas

Subscribe to receive my latest posts in your inbox!