Good afternoon friends. I baked something sweet today and I think you’re going to love it. You know those dreamy little Christmas tree treats that taste like sugar, childhood and pure holiday wonder? You can make them right at home. Fluffy cake, creamy filling and a chocolate shell that feels like holiday magic in your kitchen.
Even though it is still November this feels like the right time for something sprinkled and festive. If you are not quite ready for Christmas trees yet you could swap the cutter for a turkey, leaf or pumpkin instead and decorate in fall tones. Brown, yellow, orange and red chocolate would make the most charming Thanksgiving version.
Vanilla Almond Sheet Cake
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (room temp)
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temp
- 1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract
- 1 cup whole milk (room temp)
Vanilla Almond Filling
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temp)
- 1½ cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract
- Pinch of salt
White Coating
Ingredients:
- 20 oz White chocolate melting wafers
- 4 tsp neutral oil
Decorate
Ingredients:
- Green sanding sugar
- ¼ cup melted red candy melts
Vanilla Almond Sheet Cake
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Line two ½ sheet pans with parchment and lightly grease.
- Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time then mix in vanilla and almond extract.
- Alternating when adding the dry ingredients and milk. (Don’t over mix.)
- Divide batter between pans and spread into an even ½ inch layer.
- Bake 10-15 minutes or until set and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before cutting.
Vanilla Almond Filling
Instructions:
- Beat butter until very light and creamy.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, almond extract and salt.
- Beat until smooth, fluffy and spreadable.
Assemble:
- Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut out about 40 tree shapes.
- Spread filling on 20 trees then top with remaining trees and chill for 15-20 minutes to firm before dipping.
White Coating
Instructions:
- Melt chocolate and oil in the microwave in 15 second increments and stir until fully smooth.
- Dip each cake and smooth with a small spatula.
- Transfer to parchment and immediately sprinkle with green sanding sugar.
Decorate
Instructions:
- Drizzle thin red stripes using a piping bag.
- Chill 15 minutes to set.
