Winter Woodland Cake Toppers

I love a good semi-homemade hack.

Sometimes, there just isn’t enough time in the day. And those are usually the days that require something to be made, there’s a potluck at the office, or it’s your kid’s turn to bring the snack for the group. Funny how those times always seem to sneak up on you, isn’t it?

Well, have I got the hack for you!

This cake cost almost nothing to make, yet is stunning in all it’s winter wonderland glory.

Here’s how you do it. Start with a regular old box cake mix. Make the cake into three 8″ round cakes, stack them, and ice them. Simple, right? (You could also make it even easier by buying a pre-made cake from the store. Who’s going to know, really?)

Next, you’ll make these super easy, super quick to whip up white chocolate trees. Using a piping bag (or ziploc bag with the top cut off) you’ll simply make some tree squiggles, freeze them, and voila! A winter wonderland that everyone will love.

I made this one for my Christmas mini sessions for my photo clients and everyone loved it! It was so simple to make, but made such a huge impact!

Of course, I forgot to take some photos during the process, but they were just so quick and easy to make, that I totally forgot!

This easy trick takes a boring, lifeless cake and turns it into a winter wonderland!

white chocolate
gel food coloring
8" wood skewers
sprinkles (optional)

Lay your wood skewers about 3 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Take a few ounces of melting chocolate and put it in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl. You'll want to heat it in 30 second increments until the chocolate is smooth ( it shouldn't take longer than a 90 seconds).
Once it is out of the microwave, add in a couple drops of your gel food coloring. Mix well.
Put the mixture into a piping bag or ziptop bag and cut the tip off of it.
In an upside down "v" motion, drizzle the chocolate from the blunt side of the skewer to about 3-4 inches down the skewer.
If you'd like to add sprinkles, now is the time to do so! Next, put the whole baking sheet in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
Once the chocolate has hardened, you can stick the skewers right into the top of your cake.