Name: Christmas Sheet Cake
Prep time: 1 h
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Yield: 12 serving(s)
Ingredients: Nonstick baking spray with flour, for the pan; 2 3/4 c. all-purpose flour; 2 tsp. baking powder; 1/4 tsp. baking soda; 1/2 tsp. kosher salt; 2 c. granulated sugar; 3 large eggs, at room temperature; 1 c. vegetable oil; 2 tsp. vanilla extract; 1 c. buttermilk, at room temperature; 1/2 c. red, green, and white holiday sprinkles; 1 1/2 c. salted butter (3 sticks), at room temperature; 1 1/2 lb. powdered sugar (6 c.); 1/4 c. milk; 1 tbsp. vanilla extract; Forest green gel food coloring, for the frosting; Blue gel food coloring, for the frosting (optional); 5 brown mini candy-coated chocolates (about 1/2 tsp.), such as mini M&M's; 2 tbsp. red, green, and white holiday sprinkles; 30 yellow mini candy-coated chocolates (about 2 tsp.), such as mini M&M's; 40 red mini candy-coated chocolates (about 2 1/2 tsp.), such as mini M&M's; 1 (6-in.) piece red sour candy belt

Step 1For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Spray a 18-by-13-inch half-sheet pan with baking spray.

Step 2In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar and eggs and whisk until foamy and lightened in color, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the oil and vanilla. Gradually stir in the flour mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, whisking well after each addition. Fold in the sprinkles.

Step 4Transfer the batter to the prepared sheet pan and bake until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely in the pan, at least 1 hour.

Step 5For the frosting: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add half of the powdered sugar, mixing until combined. Add the milk and mix to incorporate. Add the vanilla and remaining powdered sugar and mix to incorporate. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Step 6To decorate: Use an offset spatula or rubber spatula to spread 3 cups of the buttercream in a smooth even layer on the cake. Transfer 1/4 cup of the remaining frosting to a piping bag or zip-top plastic bag and cut off the tip to make a small opening (about ⅛ inch).

Step 7Add enough green food coloring to the remaining 1 3/4 cups frosting to achieve a deep green shade. To make the frosting a very dark green, you can add a few drops of blue food coloring. Transfer to a piping bag or zip-top plastic bag and cut off the tip to make a slightly larger opening than the other bag (about ¼ inch).

Step 8Use a ruler and small offset spatula to lightly trace a large triangle on the frosted cake; this will be the body of the tree. Place 3 rows of brown mini candy-coated chocolates centered directly under the triangle to make the trunk (5 chocolates per row). Using the triangle as a guide, use the green buttercream to pipe a row of ¾-inch dots across the bottom of the triangle (right above the trunk). Use a small offset spatula or butter knife to gently drag each frosting dot down and outward, in the shape of a curve; wipe the spatula clean between each swoop. Pipe a second row of dots above the first, keeping within the outline of the triangle. Drag down on each dot, letting it overlap with the first row. Repeat until the entire triangle is filled with rows of green branches.

Step 9Make a border around the cake with the sprinkles. Use the white icing to pipe small dots across the white icing surrounding the tree, to resemble snow.

Step 10For the tree garland, use the white icing to pipe swooping lines across the tree. Press the mini yellow candy-coated chocolates sideways into the white lines, roughly 1 inch apart, for Christmas lights. Place the mini red candies flat on the tree, for ornaments.

Step 11To make the bow, cut the sour candy belt in half lengthwise. Fold one strip in a bow shape, and place on top of the tree. Reserve (or eat!) the remaining strip for another use.

Christmas Sheet Cake

Ingredients

For the Cake:

For the Frosting:

Directions

Christmas