The Story & Intro
Christmas in Crete has always been magical for me. I remember the first time I tried making a holiday cake that truly looked festive. My grandmother encouraged me to get creative with colors and swirls, and the kitchen became a fun mess of green batter and bright red strawberries. That’s where the idea for my Strawberry Christmas Tree Bundt Cake was born.
This cake isn’t just dessert; it’s a centerpiece. The green-tinted vanilla bundt looks like a Christmas tree, and the strawberry puree swirling through adds a pop of red, making it both festive and mouthwatering. Every time I bake this, the smiles and “oohs” and “ahhs” from friends and family make it worth it.
The Strawberry Christmas Tree Bundt Cake is perfect for anyone who loves a touch of whimsy in their holiday baking. It’s impressive, yet surprisingly easy to make, and the flavors are light, fruity, and utterly festive. Even if your kitchen gets messy don’t worry, that’s part of the fun!
This cake brings people together. Kids love it, adults admire the swirl, and everyone enjoys a slice with a cup of hot cocoa. That’s the magic of the Strawberry Christmas Tree Bundt Cake it’s joyful, colorful, and delicious.
Why This Bundt Cake Stands Out
What makes this cake so special is the combination of visual appeal and flavor. The soft green vanilla cake paired with bright red strawberry puree is not only stunning but also refreshingly light compared to heavy holiday desserts.
It’s ideal for Christmas brunch, office parties, or as a unique addition to your dessert table. You don’t need advanced decorating skills, and the swirl naturally creates a beautiful, festive pattern that everyone will admire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Green-Tinted Vanilla Bundt Cake
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
- Green food coloring (about 10–15 drops or until desired tint)
For the Strawberry Puree Swirl
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For Decoration
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Optional: whole strawberries or edible glitter
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Strawberry Puree
- In a small saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
- Cook over medium heat until strawberries break down and soften, about 8–10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and puree in a blender until smooth. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the Bundt Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Mix in a few drops of green food coloring until your desired shade is achieved.
- Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
Create the Swirl
- Pour half the green cake batter into the bundt pan.
- Spoon half the strawberry puree over the batter.
- Pour the remaining cake batter on top, then swirl gently with a knife. Finish with remaining strawberry puree and create a final swirl pattern.
Bake and Cool
- Bake for 45–50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate
- Dust with powdered sugar and optionally add whole strawberries or edible glitter for extra festive sparkle.
Serving Tips
Slice carefully with a serrated knife to showcase the beautiful green-and-red swirl. Serve with coffee, tea, or hot cocoa. This cake is also excellent with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of white chocolate for extra indulgence.
For parties, slice and arrange on a festive platter to look like mini Christmas trees—visually impressive and fun for kids!
🎄 Christmas Recipe Card 🎂
⏱️ TIME COOK
Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 50 minutes
Cool: 15 minutes
Total: 1 hour 25 minutes
🧺 INGREDIENTS
Green vanilla bundt cake, strawberry puree, sugar, milk, eggs, butter, vanilla extract, optional green food coloring
👩🍳 INSTRUCTION
Prepare strawberry puree → Mix cake batter → Add food coloring → Layer & swirl with puree → Bake → Cool → Decorate
📝 NOTE
Swirl gently to avoid fully blending the strawberry and green batter. Keep cake cool for neat slices.
🥗 Nutrition (Per Slice Approx.)
Calories: 320
Carbs: 42g
Fat: 15g
Protein: 5g
Short 100-Word Recipe Version
This Strawberry Christmas Tree Bundt Cake is a festive twist on classic vanilla bundt. The green-tinted cake swirled with bright strawberry puree creates a stunning holiday centerpiece that’s both light and flavorful. Perfect for Christmas brunch or dessert tables, this cake impresses with minimal effort. Bake the green vanilla batter, swirl in strawberry puree, then dust with powdered sugar for a sparkling holiday touch. Serve chilled or at room temperature with coffee, tea, or cocoa. Kids and adults alike will love this colorful, festive, and delicious Christmas treat.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Bake cake layers a day ahead and store tightly wrapped at room temperature.
- Strawberry puree can be made ahead and refrigerated.
- Once assembled, keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Conclusion
The Strawberry Christmas Tree Bundt Cake combines the joy of holiday baking with creativity and flavor. Every swirl of red and green reminds me of my grandmother’s kitchen in Crete, where Christmas desserts were as much about love as flavor.
From holiday parties to cozy family nights, this cake is the perfect centerpiece beautiful, festive, and light. It’s a fun way to bring the Christmas spirit into your home while sharing delicious memories with the people you love.
Happy baking and Merry Christmas from my kitchen to yours! 🎄💚🍓