When I first saw this cake on Martha Stewarts webiste, I was smitten.
Beyond smitten.
Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart.
It was more like obsessed.
I wanted SO badly to do one myself... but never knew how to add my own twist on it.
I think I found a way.
I decided to try and put trees in the midst of all those 'ruffles'.
But then, I took it a step further.
The inside of this precious little cake that nearly killed me to cut into I loved it so is a red and green striped ornament!
And there you have it... A Christmas Tree Red and Green Ornament Inside Cake! Easy peasy.
I really hope you try making a ruffle cake of your own. Martha gives pretty easy directions and its a really forgiving design and technique. The different ways you can make it yours are endless!!!
UPDATED:
For those of you sweety pies asking for a tutorial, I would be more then happy to do one... but we are currently on vacation! So I cant right away. But soon, I promise!
In the meantime, here are two very similar tutorials to give you and idea of how it all comes together!
Hope that helps, and THANK YOU for all the wonderfully supportive and thoughtful kind words!
Can I just borrow a little bit of your skills? My goodness girl! Amazing!
Posted by: Courtney | Dec 08, 2010 at 06:42 PM
Stunning! Whimsical! Brava!
Posted by: dawnalee | Dec 08, 2010 at 07:30 PM
Oh, your cakes are absolutely adorable! <3
Posted by: bhav | Dec 08, 2010 at 07:34 PM
I rarely leave comments but I was so impressed with this beautiful cake that I had to say "FABULOUS".
Posted by: Roger (Mr. Bunkycooks) | Dec 08, 2010 at 08:08 PM
As a long, loooong time lurker, can I just say that something about those tree-ruffles makes this cake my fave? Because I'm smitten with it. :)
Posted by: TheresaSea | Dec 08, 2010 at 09:19 PM
I fell in love with the ruffles as soon as I saw the first cake. You are simply amazing Amanda, simply amazing.
Posted by: Lexi | Dec 08, 2010 at 09:51 PM
This is beyond stunning! Fabulous!!!
Posted by: Baking is my Zen | Dec 08, 2010 at 11:40 PM
This is AMAZING! Incredible and absolutely gorgeous. I am in awe.
Posted by: Lisa | Dec 08, 2010 at 11:47 PM
WOW! Incredible!!!
Posted by: Amy @ Blowout Party! | Dec 08, 2010 at 11:55 PM
Spectacular. As usual :O)
Posted by: Mima | Dec 09, 2010 at 03:12 AM
Can I just tell you that I have been thinking about this cake all week. Stunning love!
Posted by: Tickled Red | Dec 09, 2010 at 07:59 AM
Oh wow, that is so cool!! I have always loved that Martha cake,but I know I love yours so much more. What a way to put your own touch on it. You Rock!!
Posted by: Erica B. | Dec 09, 2010 at 08:47 AM
This is quite possibly THE most beautiful cake I have ever seen!!! You are amazing!!
Posted by: Twyla | Dec 09, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Had to come back and comment again now that your cake is FAMOUS! I am so happy that people around the globe have seen your fabulous work! It's the first time I've ever seen a cake that made me stand up and applaud.
Divine inspiration, I'm convinced!
Posted by: Rose in Ohio | Dec 09, 2010 at 01:59 PM
Just found your website and I'm in LOVE! I wish I had tons of money because I'd hire you to be my teacher. I'd love to create things like this.
Posted by: Jillian | Dec 09, 2010 at 04:02 PM
love that picture with the red background....simply beautiful!
Posted by: kristen | Dec 10, 2010 at 12:54 AM
how gorgeous is that?! great job!
Posted by: Christine @ The Pantry Drawer | Dec 10, 2010 at 03:05 AM
This was so amazing that i have posted on my blog and linked to you! Thanks so much!
http://achichiaffair.blogspot.com/
Rachie xo
Posted by: Rachie | Dec 10, 2010 at 05:49 AM
This cake is my Christmas wish! Amazing!
Posted by: thedabble | Dec 10, 2010 at 08:45 AM
This is beautiful! Thank you for posting something truly inspiring....your creativity and curiosity is endearing! Much blessings!
Posted by: Cynthia | Dec 10, 2010 at 11:56 AM
This is so wonderful!
Posted by: Steph | Dec 10, 2010 at 01:17 PM
Absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: Judith Norman | Dec 10, 2010 at 10:20 PM
Wow! this is superb, thanks for sharing!
Posted by: almond | Dec 11, 2010 at 06:32 AM
This cake is amazing!!!! Truly amazing!!!
Posted by: Jenna | Dec 11, 2010 at 07:42 PM
Wow! That is absolutely amazing. Great job. I think it is gorgeous!
Posted by: Maranda | Dec 12, 2010 at 07:06 PM
SPEECHLESS!!! You did SUCH an amazing job and the surprise inside is so fun and clever!!
Posted by: Jennie @ Oh, Sweet Day! | Dec 12, 2010 at 08:55 PM
Your are amazing. This is gorgeous.
Posted by: Jenn@eatcakefordinner | Dec 12, 2010 at 11:12 PM
Really, really inspiring! I like yours better than Martha's, but shh ;)
Posted by: Brittany | Dec 13, 2010 at 06:32 AM
Wow! Wow! Wow! I think most of your stuff is pretty amazing but as I was reading this post and scrolling down, when I got to the picture of your cake, I exclaimed out loud! It's amazingly beautiful. And then the ornament inside. Just awesome!
Posted by: Mandi S. | Dec 13, 2010 at 08:20 AM
Thank you very much for the post. This is so helpful. Keep posting, dear.
Posted by: renamer | Dec 13, 2010 at 11:49 AM
You are so so incredibly talented. This cake looks STUNNING!!!!
Posted by: Eliana | Dec 13, 2010 at 02:45 PM
I tried making this, but the ornament did not turn out. When cut, at the outside edge of the ornament, it looks lined perfectly, but at the center, the colors mixed into each other. It literally looks like the guts of the cake. Yuck!!
I made the ornament by taking the cored out cake and the cake from leveling, adding color gels and buttercream to the crumbs, packing it in the core, putting the top on.
Posted by: Georgia | Dec 13, 2010 at 07:32 PM
Sorry about that Georgia!
In the other tutorials that I linked to on this post, I showed how I get the cake for the interior portion, or surprise inside. Thecake needs to be colored BEFORE you bake it, then you add any type of frosting to get a spongierconsistency...
THEN you can go in carve out the cake and make your interior layers.
Will try and do a tutorial soon
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Dec 14, 2010 at 07:21 AM
Wow, that is amazing! First I thought the tree ribbons were impressive, then I scrolled down and saw the center ornament. It gives a whole new meaning to being "beautiful inside and out."
Hazel @ TastyPursuits.com
Posted by: Hazel | Dec 14, 2010 at 08:16 AM
OMG OMG OMG I LOVE those ruffles! I never thought to decorate a cake like that - gorgeous! Plus, the added surprise inside is simply genius. Well done!!
Posted by: Stephanie | Dec 14, 2010 at 02:41 PM
that is so awesome! I can't wait to find out how you made the inside like that
Posted by: Gabby | Dec 14, 2010 at 05:36 PM
I don't post comments on blogs very often. But, this is incredible! So beautiful!! Wow!!
Posted by: amanda | Dec 15, 2010 at 10:05 PM
Oh my gosh! I have been so in love with that pink cake too. I wanted to make it for sophia's birthday but then I chickened out because I have zero talent in decorating :) Now after seeing yours....I think I may love it (yours) even more!!
Posted by: Hannah | Dec 16, 2010 at 02:53 PM
Okay, so how do I make the ornament on the inside of the cake!! Where is the link for the tutorial!?????
THANKS
Posted by: christina | Dec 17, 2010 at 11:51 AM
:D [That is not a smile, it is my jaw dropping...] WoW!!! This is incredible! So beautiful and creative. Love, love, love! I'm so glad you share pictures of all the amazing things you create - I enjoy admiring them. :) [That's a smile.]
Posted by: Heather | Dec 19, 2010 at 09:04 AM
Martha's cake inspire me too for a ballerina cake. I like you cake, the inside part is killing me. Super!
Posted by: cccris | Dec 20, 2010 at 05:07 AM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Samantha | Dec 20, 2010 at 08:40 AM
Amazing as always Amanda! Your cakes are just so elegant and the color designs inside are such a fun surprise!! They make me smile :)
Posted by: Jennifer | Dec 21, 2010 at 02:27 PM
oh amaizing i appereciate
Posted by: Gedamu | Dec 29, 2010 at 02:47 AM
I am sooo late but I LOVE THIS!!! I think I may try this for my birthday cake!! :-)
Posted by: CarsedraG (Sweet Tooth Desserts) | Jan 06, 2011 at 09:28 AM
You are so talented....Love everything you do.... :)
Posted by: Jannett | Jan 09, 2011 at 07:10 AM
Thanks so much for sharing this! I've been wanting to replicate the MS cake, and this is such a cute spin on it! xoxo
Posted by: Nuha | Jan 09, 2011 at 02:09 PM
This is so cool! I LOVE your take on this, especially the "ornament" inside!
I saw this cake on Marthas' website when I searching for birthday cake ideas for my oldest daughter several years ago & also loved it!
Posted by: Jessica | Jan 24, 2011 at 07:26 PM
This cake is amazing! Your website have really inspired me. I tried this cake on my own...not as beautiful as yours...but I tried! http://onecakeaweek.blogspot.com/2011/01/week-4-chocolate-cake-with-swiss.html
Posted by: Robin | Jan 30, 2011 at 04:28 PM
Wow these cakes look delicious! How do you get them to look so perfect?!
Posted by: Peanut Butter Easter Eggs | Feb 04, 2011 at 09:43 AM