White Chocolate Ganache Christmas Tree Cake- A Video Tutorial
In this cake video tutorial, you will learn to create a gorgeous White Chocolate Ganache Christmas Tree Cake using surprisingly simple techniques!
Table of Contents
Materials:
We are using a double barrel construction for our 4 layer cake. This means that we have a cake cardboard halfway up with supports (bubble tea straws) beneath. If you have any questions about double barrel cakes, see our double barrel cake tutorial for more detailed information!
White Chocolate Ganache (See our Simple Spreadable Ganache in the Recipes section) This is a 3:1 ratio of white chocolate to cream.
Small tapered spatula
Piping tips: Wilton 12 (or similar medium round tip. You can also snip the tip from your piping bag.)
Super Pearl Dust
Vegetable Shortening (optional. Helps the pearl dust to adhere)
Soft brushes for dust application (We used large and small)
Dragees or sugar pearls of choice
Piping gel
Misc.: We used 2 cardboard cake circles and 4 bubble tea straws for the double barrel structure of this cake.
Notes
Creating the Christmas tree was very quick and easy! This is something that could also be done with buttercream.
Pearlizing: We found that the dust covered a little more consistently when a very light coating of shortening was applied to the chilled ganache first. However, I would still encourage you to do a little experimenting on your own to find your preferred method. Even when pearl dust is applied to a dry cake with dry dust, you will achieve a pearl finish.
*Without the pearl dust, the cake has a slightly yellow tint (just as white chocolate does). However, if using this technique on a white buttercream frosted cake, you may find that you don't need to pearlize.
Thanks for watching our tutorial, we hope that you enjoy this method!
Breathtaking! Great tutorial Melissa & BeBe! Thank you!
What would happen if you dusted the cake first, then make the trees? Would the chocolate adhere to cake?
Just trying to think of away to cut down on time
Oh and I can't forget to tell you how beautiful the cake is.
Wow! Very beautiful and elegant! I love it! :) A tiered cake with this technique would look stunning! Gorgeous!
I love this!!!! So elegant looking. Can you lightly airbrush a pearl sheen onto ganache or would it just become a drippy mess? I think I know what I'll be making for Christmas :) Thanks Melissa. You always do such nice work. Oh, one last question, if I were to transport this, would you recommend putting a single dowel down the center?
Thank you for your comments!
@Julie- I haven't tried it this way but I really don't think it would be a problem!
@Joan- Not sure! Water based colorings are more likely to bead when applied to chocolate.. but I think pearl spray could work. I would try it but have the dust on standby just in case ;0)
Another beautiful cake Melissa and BeBe!!! As usual, I can't wait to make one! Thank you so much!!!
~Jennifer
Such a beautiful cake! I'm thinking buttercream...or crusting cream cheese. Would the luster dust still work?
Thanks Dene!! I think this design would be beautiful in buttercream (or cream cheese!) -
Pearlizing with a pearl spray (or airbrush) would be the simplest option. I've never tried to pearlize a buttercream-frosted tier by brushing on the dust as we did with the ganache in this tutorial.... If chilled until the buttercream is firm, I think it could work. What would be tricky is keeping it chilled enough to remain firm while you work. The good thing about using buttercream is that it will be lighter in color than the white chocolate, which has more of a yellow tone to it. Because of this, just a bit of shimmer from a light spray of pearl..or brushing dust here and there would be very pretty.
aha! Pearl spray...great idea! I will definitely make a version of this design during the holidays AND the Nativity design from last year. Keep these piped designs coming please!
Absolutely stunning, this would also look just as beautiful for a Christmas wedding with a couple of tiers ? Love it
Love it as I do everything else you make. Thanks for another beautiful design idea.
@Dene- Glad that you are planning to try it! (And the nativity cake, too!)
@Victoria & Melissa--thank you!! xo