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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 6-inch round cake pans.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, eggs, buttermilk, red food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting:
Beat the butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy.
Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until smooth.
Stir in vanilla extract.
Assemble the Tree:
Once the cakes have completely cooled, level each cake layer so they are flat.
Stack the cake layers, starting with the largest on the bottom. You can slightly trim the edges to create a more tapered tree shape if you like.
Apply a thin layer of cream cheese frosting between each layer to help hold them together.
Decorate the Cake:
Cover the entire tree with a layer of cream cheese frosting.
Tint some frosting green with food coloring. Use a piping bag fitted with a star tip to pipe tree-like decorations around the base, along each layer, and on the sides.
Decorate the tree with fondant balls, red and green ornaments, and gold beads for a festive look.
Top the cake with a small edible gold star for the finishing touch.
Add Final Touches:
Lightly dust the tree with edible glitter or sugar crystals to mimic the look of sparkling snow.
For extra Christmas cheer, scatter a few more decorative sprinkles or holly leaves on the tree for added effect.
Decoration Tips:
Tree Layers:
For the “tree” effect, make sure the cake layers are stacked neatly. A slight tapering of the edges of each layer will create the cone-shaped look of a Christmas tree.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
Use a star piping tip to create fluffy, tree-like layers with the green frosting. Pipe starting from the base and work your way up to give it a natural, layered effect.
Ornaments & Beads:
Red, green, and gold fondant balls or edible pearls make the perfect ornaments for your tree. These can be strategically placed around the tree for a more balanced look.
Snow Effect:
Sprinkle powdered sugar lightly over the tree to give it a snowy, wintery effect, just like a tree decorated on Christmas Eve.
Top it Off:
A golden star or a large sugar crystal ornament on the top of the cake makes for a beautiful, classic tree topper.
This Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cake is sure to be a showstopper on any holiday dessert table. Enjoy baking and decorating this festive treat with your loved ones! 
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