Ingredients:
For the Cake:
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour 213g
1 cup granulated sugar 200g
1/4 tsp baking soda 1g
1 tsp baking powder 3g
1/4 tsp salt 1g, heaping, optional
3/4 cup unsalted butter 176g, room temperature
3 egg whites
1/2 cup sour cream 120g
1 tbsp vanilla 15mL
1/2 cup whole milk 120mL
1/2 tsp peppermint extract, optional 2.5mL
For the Buttercream:
1.5 lbs confectioners' sugar 680g
1 lb unsalted butter 454g
1-2 tbsp heavy whipping cream If needed for consistency
1 tsp vanilla extract 5mL
5 drops green food coloring for the trees
For the Assembly:
12 ice cream cones
Instructions:
After buttering and flouring three cake pans, we sifted all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, and set that off to the side. In a mixing bowl, we beat the wet ingredients together. Afterwards, we mixed the two together and distributed the batter into the three equal sized cake pans (I recommend opting for cake pans with a smaller circumference, because our layers were very thin). We stuck that in the oven at 340 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
While the cake was in the oven, we got started on the icing. We creamed the slightly softened butter, and then added the sugar in and mixed on high. After it was combined completely, we poured in the vanilla and a pinch of salt (If the consistency is too thick, add heavy whipping cream in a tablespoon at a time). Dye ⅓ of the icing green for your decoration, and keep the rest white. Add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract to the white frosting if desired.
Next was my favorite part - the decorating. First, put the white frosting in between each layer of the cake and cover the entire surface of it with frosting. Afterwards, we cut three ice cream cones to our preferred height and piped our green frosting onto it using a star shaped tip. We also cut some in half vertically and put them around the perimeter of the cake. As a final touch, we dusted powdered sugar on top of the trees, and sprinkled crushed up candy canes on the outside.
Recipe courtesy of: Preppy Kitchen
Photo by: Sophia Bone
