Today I’m going to show you how to make an adorable, unique Christmas Tree of Buttons cake design!
I’ve been going through a button phase lately–I’ve seen SO many cute and crafty decorations that incorporate multi-colored buttons in all shapes and sizes.
The designs are so happy and cheerful that I knew I wanted to jump on the button bandwagon. I’m not all that crafty, but just about anything can be translated into a cake design. This week, it’s all about the buttons!
Have you ever made a button from fondant? If not, I’m about to show you how–
So basically all that you need is your desired colors of fondant (I knead a little bit of tylose into mine so that they will dry more quickly), you’ll need tools of your choice for embellishing, a toothpick or small piping tip for creating the holes, and small cookie cutters or piping tips for cutting out your button shapes.
I used my 2D piping tip to cut out fairly large circles of fondant. It is also great for making star-like embellishments in the fondant. For smaller round buttons, I used my piping tip 12. A fork will give a nice ridged pattern in your fondant–be creative with your patterns!
Here’s a closeup. The shades of green that i used are Americolor Electric Green & Wilton Leaf Green. (The red fondant was pre-colored, ready made.)
I let my buttons dry on parchment paper for a while before placing on the cake so that they could set up a little.
Next, it’s time to transfer the buttons to the cake. in this tutorial, we’re working with a 9×13 sheet cake, frosted in our Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting (with a ball border piped from a tip 12)
I started working from the top of the tree to the bottom, trying to keep a nice balance between the colors. You can overlap them for more depth.
**You may find it helpful to chill your frosted cake in the freezer for 10 minutes just until the frosting is firm. Then, place your buttons. (This gives you the option of picking them up and moving them around if you’d like!)
Finally, my favorite part—piping on the buttercream “thread”. After arranging the buttons into the tree shape that I wanted, I used a piping tip 2 and gradually threaded my buttons with buttercream. This small step really pulls everything together.
That’s all there is to it! Here’s our cute little tree!
I just love the cheerful, homemade feel of this cake design. So simple and fun. We hope that you enjoy this design as much as we have!
Thanks for stopping by!
Make sure to check out our Recipes Section for the BEST tried and true cake and frosting recipes! For more Christmas ideas, don’t miss our Roundup of favorite ideas! You can find it here: Roundup of Christmas Cakes, Ideas, and Recipes!
Love love love this! So reminds me of my sister who creates custom buttons( http://www.etsy.com/shop/tessaann ) and I would love to create her something like this that is edible since I am the one who does cakes..how fun!
What a FUN idea!!!! This is great, Melissa!!!!!! Thank you!
Love it! Very cute! Thank you!
How cute!! I love it. This would be fun to do with kids!!
What a wonderful and simple idea!!!! Thanks for the tips.
Now this is really creative for sure. The colors are spectacular. The placement of the buttons to create the tree is so great. I love all of the details of the buttons. This is fit for royalty for sure. This is an awsome job with buttons.
Dee
Thanks!!!
I have been trying to decide on a design for a cake I’m making for a school auction next week. I’m still learning, so it needed to be simple :)
Lucky me, I already have a fondant button press and the other tools, except the embossed rolling pin.
Now if mine comes out half as cute as yours…..
Oh this is simply adorable
absolutely adorable!!! will be doing something similar!!!
absolutely love it!!
What a fab idea, so effective and very Chritmassy..the kids will love making this on thier mini cakes… Thank you for yet another brill design
Hi,
Really the idea is superb,gonna try it in future,the butter cream u r using is SMBC or IMBC?
Hi, we used the Fluffy Buttercream (half butter, half shortening) from the recipe section
The colors are stunning. Beautiful cake for Christmas.
I love this to infinity and beyooooooooond! (and then some.)
Love Love Love it. What an adorable cake M. You out do yourself every single time. Gorgeous. Got a macaron book for my bday yesterday and it has Christmas macarons in them. Think I am goingto try my hand at the famous cookie. There is even a macaron cake in the book. Cake with macarons all around the outside rimm. Adorable. Thanks for the idea. You always give us the bestest ideas. Have a blessed day girl!!!!! And to BE BE too.
What an adorable cake. I love it. Thanks Melissa.
Such a clever idea! Thanks:-D
I just love this. I think I am going to play all day and create!
Oh what a fabulous idea Mellisa, will have to try this one. Thank you once again for your great inspirations!!!!
Another fabulous cake! This is so adorable, Melissa.
Just love it! Very cute!!
That is sooo adorable!
What a crazy good idea! Thank you.
Hi!
This is such a great idea! How did you make your red buttercream so red?
Thanks!
Grace
It is difficult to get deep red when coloring a large amount of buttercream…….we only needed a small amount so it wasn’t a problem. We used AmeriColor Red Red, we also like Super Red. It never looks quite right at first but as it sits it deepens into a nice color.
That is such a neat idea. Will definitely put it down as one of my things to do when the opportunity rises.
Thanks
Lisa
the tree cake is so adorable am having my birthday on the 25th dec and will try
it for my guests
thanks melissa
Too cute!!! :-)
I love it :)
Thanks again everybody! Agnes, I hope that you have a great birthday! ;0)
Increíble… me encantó, nunca había visto algo así…. gracias por compartilo. Dios te siga Bendiciendo…
OHH MY word.. that is toooo cute!!! heart it!
Is that sugar sprinkled over top that I see? I don’t think you mentioned that part. It’s all in the details. The pictures don’t do it justice. SO cute!
Hi Leah–you know, I’m so used to grabbing pixie and disco dust that I think I do it sometimes without even realizing it ;0) . I’m addicted. Yes, that it either white pixie or disco dust sprinkled over the top…whatever was closest. In person, the tree sparkled! It’s hard to capture in photos sometimes.
I am completely surprised, your imagination has not limits. Congratulations
This is gorgeous! I absolutely love the idea. I’ve never seen the embossed rolling pin before but now I have to have one :)
me encanto para la cena de navidad muy buena idea grasias y felices fiestas
I loved this button Christmas cake!! It reminded me of my Grandmother when all the children collected her old jewelry making a Christmas tree and they framed it so she could put it up each year at Christmas. I am going to use the idea but make mine out of iced sugar cookies. Beautiful design as always. Thanks.
Jestem zachwycona Twoimi pracami,gratuluję talentu!….:)
Lindo, adorei !
Vc é minha fonte de inspiração
what a cute idea love this cake THANKS for teaching us new things all the time