Red Velvet Christmas Wreath Cake Recipe

The Red Velvet Christmas Wreath Cake is the showstopper your holiday dessert table has been waiting for! Imagine a classic red velvet cake—tender, buttery, and lightly chocolatey—dressed up for the most festive season with lush cream cheese frosting, sparkling berries, and rosemary sprigs that look just like pine needles. Every bite is a celebration of color, flavor, and pure joy, making it the perfect centerpiece for cozy gatherings and merry feasts with friends and family. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting into the holiday spirit, this recipe promises a wreath cake that’s as fun to decorate as it is delicious to share.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is part of the magic; each one plays a key role in the signature flavor, moist crumb, and playful color of the Red Velvet Christmas Wreath Cake. Keep it simple and you’ll be amazed how these pantry staples come together to create something truly special.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure and stability needed for a beautifully shaped cake.
• Cocoa Powder: Just a touch gives red velvet its subtle chocolate undertone—don’t skip it!
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise gently for a tender crumb.
• Baking Soda: Works with vinegar for extra lightness and perfect texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and deepens the overall flavor profile.
• Unsalted Butter (for cake & frosting): Adds richness and moisture; use room temperature for easy mixing.
• Sugar: Sweetens things up and gives that signature soft-yet-dense bite.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and help the cake hold its shape.
• Buttermilk: Makes the crumb delightfully tender and gives a subtle tang to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract (for cake & frosting): Adds cozy warmth and balances the cocoa.
• White Vinegar: Activates the baking soda and enhances the red color.
• Red Food Coloring: The magic behind that iconic, festive hue—gel or liquid both work well.
• Cream Cheese (for frosting): Creamy, tangy, and essential for classic red velvet flavor.
• Powdered Sugar (for frosting & decoration): Sweetens the frosting and adds a “snowy” effect.
• Fresh Cranberries, Blackberries, or Raspberries: Brings bright pops of color and tartness for your wreath decoration.
• Rosemary Sprigs: The secret to that pine-like, woodland wreath look (don’t worry, it just adds aroma, not flavor).

How to Make Red Velvet Christmas Wreath Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and flour a bundt or round cake pan thoroughly—this not only helps the cake release easily but also preserves every lovely detail of your wreath shape. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting is worth the extra minute: it aerates the flour and prevents lumps, so your cake will bake evenly with a silky, tender crumb.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Grab another bowl and beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This is when you whip in the air that gives your cake lift. Add the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Next, mix in the vanilla extract, white vinegar, and red food coloring. Watch the transformation—your batter should now radiate cheerful holiday color!

Step 3: Combine and Bake

Now, alternately add the sifted dry ingredients and buttermilk to your wet mixture, starting and ending with the dry. Mix on low speed or by hand just until everything is combined—over-mixing can lead to a dense cake. Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top. Slide it into the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick emerges clean from the center. Let the cake cool completely in the pan; this helps it hold its shape and makes decorating a breeze.

Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cake cools, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until perfectly smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then whip until light and fluffy—this will make piping or spreading a dream. If you want a little twist, add a hint of orange zest for that extra burst of holiday cheer. Chill the frosting if it seems too soft; it’ll make decorating neater.

Step 5: Decorate Your Festive Wreath

Now comes the most joyful part: turning your cake into a wintery wreath! Spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting on top of the cooled cake in generous swirls. Decorate with fresh cranberries, blackberries, and sprigs of rosemary, arranging them around the top to mimic a lush, pine-filled wreath. For the finishing touch, dust everything with a gentle sprinkle of powdered sugar—it’s like the cake has been kissed by the first snowfall.

How to Serve Red Velvet Christmas Wreath Cake

Garnishes

When presenting the Red Velvet Christmas Wreath Cake, don’t hold back on the natural beauty—add a few extra berries right before serving, and freshly dust with a bit more powdered sugar for the ultimate snowy effect. If you want to go all out, edible gold dust or dainty sugar snowflakes will make your cake truly sparkle and shine.

Side Dishes

This festive cake pairs beautifully with a mug of hot cocoa or spicy chai tea. For a more decadent dessert spread, serve alongside bowls of whipped cream, poached winter fruit, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These additions complement the cake’s richness and turn every slice into a full-blown holiday treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Make a statement by serving your Red Velvet Christmas Wreath Cake on a rustic wooden board, surrounded by sprigs of real pine or twinkling fairy lights. You can even add small ornaments or tie a ribbon around your cake stand for an extra dose of holiday magic. The wreath shape is already showy, so have fun making your presentation as unique as your own celebrations!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Red Velvet Christmas Wreath Cake fresh, store any leftover slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cream cheese frosting stays safe and creamy, and the flavors tend to deepen and develop even more overnight.

Freezing

For longer storage, you can freeze the unfrosted cake itself (wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then foil) for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting and decorating. If you really need to freeze a frosted cake, flash-freeze it first until the frosting hardens, then wrap carefully; just be gentle when thawing to preserve the decorations.

Reheating

While this cake is perfect served at room temperature or slightly chilled, if you want to gently warm individual slices, use short bursts in the microwave. Just keep in mind that cream cheese frosting may melt, so only warm what you’re about to eat, and enjoy that gooey, indulgent slice right away.

FAQs

What kind of food coloring gives the best red color?

Gel food coloring is the easiest way to achieve a vibrant hue for your Red Velvet Christmas Wreath Cake, since it’s highly concentrated and won’t thin your batter. If you only have liquid food coloring, you may need a little more to get that dramatic festive red look.

Can I make this cake without a bundt pan?

Absolutely! A round cake pan or even two 8-inch pans work wonderfully. If you want the classic wreath shape, you can cut a hole in the middle once baked, or stack thin layers with frosting in between before decorating.

How far ahead can I decorate this cake?

You can bake the cake one day ahead and store, unfrosted, wrapped at room temperature or in the fridge. Decorate just before serving for the freshest look, or up to a few hours ahead if your kitchen isn’t too warm.

Does the rosemary flavor come through strongly?

No worries—the rosemary sprigs are simply decorative and impart very little (if any) flavor to the Red Velvet Christmas Wreath Cake. If you want an aromatic hint, you could add a tiny bit of finely chopped rosemary to the batter, but it’s not necessary for the festive effect.

Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to the batter?

Of course! Fold in a handful of chopped pecans, walnuts, or mini chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor. Just be sure not to overload the batter so it bakes evenly.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to wow your guests, put a personal stamp on your holiday table, or simply try something joyful and new, the Red Velvet Christmas Wreath Cake is the recipe to pick. It’s festive, delicious, and a delight to decorate—so gather your loved ones, share a slice, and make sweet memories together this season!

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