Winter Wonderland Cake Recipe

Introduction

The Winter Wonderland Cake is a beautiful, festive dessert that combines a moist vanilla cake with creamy ombre blue frosting and elegant white chocolate decorations. Perfect for holiday celebrations or any winter gathering, this cake looks as delightful as it tastes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ⅔ cup milk
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup salted butter, softened to room temperature (for frosting)
• 4 cups confectioners sugar (for frosting)
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream (for frosting)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
• Blue food dye (1–2 drops for light blue, 6–7 drops for blue)
• 2-3 oz white chocolate bark (for decoration)
• Decoration sugar
• White pearl sprinkles

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly oil two 6-inch cake pans to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil until well blended. Stir in sour cream and milk until smooth.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until you achieve a smooth batter.
5. Step 5: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Step 6: While the cakes cool, prepare the frosting by beating the softened butter, confectioners sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
7. Step 7: Divide the frosting into three portions. Add 1–2 drops of blue food dye to one portion for light blue frosting, and 6–7 drops to another portion for a darker blue. Leave the third portion white.
8. Step 8: Once the cakes have cooled completely, level the tops if needed. Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread a layer of white frosting on top. Add the second cake layer on top.
9. Step 9: Apply the ombre frosting on the outside of the cake in layers—cover the bottom third with white frosting, the middle third with light blue, and the top third with the blue frosting for a gradient effect.
10. Step 10: Create white chocolate snowflakes from the white chocolate bark using a template or freehand. Decorate the cake with these snowflakes, decoration sugar, and white pearl sprinkles for a festive finish.

Tips & Variations

• To make a dairy-free version, substitute the milk and sour cream with plant-based alternatives like almond milk and coconut yogurt.
• Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for a more vibrant and concentrated blue color without thinning the frosting.
• For an extra festive touch, add a sprinkle of edible glitter on top of the frosting before the decorations set.
• White chocolate snowflake decorations can be prepared ahead of time and stored in an airtight container.

Storage

Store the Winter Wonderland Cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture. Leftover cake slices can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different cake flavors for this recipe?

Absolutely! While the original is a vanilla cake, you can substitute with chocolate or spice cake layers to add a personal touch. Just adjust baking times as needed.

How do I prevent the frosting colors from blending?

Apply each colored frosting section carefully using a spatula or piping bag, and chill the cake briefly between layers to set the frosting. This helps maintain distinct ombre sections.

Winter Wonderland Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.8 from 102 reviews

This Winter Wonderland Cake is a beautifully layered vanilla cake with an elegant ombre blue frosting, decorated with white chocolate snowflakes and pearl sprinkles. Perfect for festive occasions or winter celebrations, this moist cake combines classic flavors with a stunning snowy design.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ⅔ cup milk
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Frosting:

• 1 cup salted butter, softened to room temperature
• 4 cups confectioners sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Light Blue frosting color: 1-2 drops blue food dye
• Blue frosting color: 6-7 drops blue food dye

Decorations:

• 2–3 oz white chocolate bark
• Decoration sugar
• White pearl sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 6-inch cake pans with oil to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 2 large eggs, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, ¼ cup vegetable oil, ¼ cup sour cream, and ⅔ cup milk. Mix well until the ingredients are fully blended and smooth.
3. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and seasonings.
4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until you achieve a smooth, lump-free batter.
5. Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool the Cakes: Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely in their pans before removing to a wire rack. Level the tops if necessary to create even layers.
7. Prepare the Frosting: While the cakes cool, beat together 1 cup salted butter, 4 cups confectioners sugar, 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
8. Create Ombre Frosting: Divide the frosting into three portions. Add 6-7 drops of blue food dye to one portion for the darkest blue, 1-2 drops for the lighter blue, and leave the last portion white to create the ombre effect.
9. Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of white frosting on top, then carefully place the second cake layer over it. Frost the entire cake applying the ombre colors in layers—white at the bottom, light blue in the middle, and dark blue on top.
10. Decorate: Use white chocolate bark to create snowflake decorations using a template or freehand. Garnish the cake with decoration sugar and white pearl sprinkles to enhance the winter wonderland theme.

Notes

• Ensure cakes are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
• Use gel-based food coloring for more vibrant shades without thinning the frosting.
• You can prepare the cake layers a day ahead and frost on the day of serving for freshest results.
• Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and milk with plant-based alternatives.

Keywords: Winter Wonderland Cake, Ombre Cake, Vanilla Cake, Blue Frosting Cake, White Chocolate Snowflake Cake, Festive Cake