The Ultimate Christmas Cake

It was a very Christmas-y weekend filled with holiday parties, ballerinas, and family. We were feeling especially in the spirit on Saturday before heading to our friend's beyond gorgeous get together. She asked that we bring a dessert and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to indulge in month long cravings of wanting to make a three layer cake. We ended up using this straight forward recipe. Between the red velvet insides, snowy looking icing, cranberries and pine branches literally yanked off of a tree on the street, we had created the ultimate Christmas Cake. The picture doesn't do it enough justice - it was one of the prettiest pieces of food we've ever made (especially when cut into) and plan on using it as the centerpiece to a fabulous Christmas dessert table in the future. And it made such an awesome hostess gift, especially when we received a text the next day that she was eating it for lunch (no hostess wants to bother making themselves food the day after a party, right??). This week we'll be taking a break from counting down to Christmas and will instead be celebrating our 8 favorite nights of the year! Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate!

Newlywed Note

For those in a rush, use a red velvet cake mix (say 2 boxes) and pre-made cream cheese frosting (2 cans). Let the three layers cool completely before stacking and applying the frosting. If following the recipe and making from scratch, we found that the 3 layers didn't have to bake in the oven as long as suggested. Ours came out a little dry even with removing them prematurely. Have fun experimenting with the garnishes!

Served on a white cake stand with cranberries and pine branches used as garnish.