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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a tree-shaped cake pan or use a standard round cake pan if you want to shape it later.
Prepare the Cake Batter:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the sugar and vegetable oil. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add the buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar, and mix until smooth.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Bake the Cake:
Pour the cake batter into your prepared pan(s). For a tree shape, ensure the batter is evenly distributed.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If you're using a standard round cake pan, you may need to adjust the baking time based on the size of your pan.
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting:
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until fully combined.
Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
Assemble the Cake:
If you’ve used a round pan, you can carefully trim and shape the cake into a tree shape using a sharp knife.
Once the cake is fully cooled, spread a layer of cream cheese frosting over the cake, smoothing it out with an offset spatula.
For a more decorative touch, you can divide the frosting and tint it with green food coloring to pipe tree branches or accents.
Decorate the Tree Cake:
Add sprinkles, edible glitter, or star-shaped decorations to make the cake look like a festive Christmas tree. You can even use fondant or candy decorations for additional detail.
Serve:
Slice and serve this gorgeous cake at your next holiday gathering. Its striking appearance will surely impress guests, and its delicious flavor will keep everyone coming back for more!
Serving and Storage Tips:
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