Rock Candy Christmas Cake

 
You could be serving this Rock Candy Christmas Cake to your family and friends and be the star of Instagram. Seriously everyone will be getting their phones out to take a picture! It starts with colorful layers of white cake. Then it is frosted with homemade whipped vanilla buttercream and rock candy that is sure to be the center of attention at your Christmas party!
Ingredients Substitutions
White Cake Mix You will need 2 white cake recipes or use 2 boxes of white cake mix.
Whipped Vanilla Buttercream The recipe provided is already doubled perfect for this cake.

Food Color I used red and green food color to keep with the Christmas theme.
Rock Candy I used red pink green and light green but you can certainly use your favorite colors!
rotating cake stand
small offset spatula
bench scraper
Making The Cakes
Begin by preparing the first white cake. Add 2 teaspoons of red food color. Divide the red cake batter between 2 prepared 8inch round cake stands.
You can prepare a pan with baking spray GOOP parchment paper or the butter and flour method.
Bake according to recipe or box directions. When done baking remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Once you can handle the cake carefully remove from pan and level the cake if needed.
Repeat this with green food color.
Once all the cakes are baked and leveled place in the freezer until ready to assemble the cake.
Prepare whipped vanilla buttercream. You will need at least 5 cups to cover this entire cake. It will be used between each layer 12 34 cup as well as for the crumb coat and final coat. The remaining buttercream with be divided into four bowls.
The remaining buttercream with be divided into four bowls. For the darker red I used about 2 teaspoons. The light red pinkish was about one teaspoon. Your amounts may vary depending on how much frosting you have left over. There was about 1 cup of the whipped vanilla buttercream in each bowl for me. The darker green was about 2 teaspoons of food color and the light green was a scant teaspoon.
Once all colors are prepared fill pastry bags. Each bag should be fitted with a 10 tip. You can also use a 5 7 or 12 if thats what you have. Any small open round tip will work.
How to Assemble Christmas Cake
Place the first layer on a rotating cake stand. I started with red