A Winter ONEderland Cake is the perfect show-stopping centerpiece for your baby’s first birthday or any winter-themed celebration. This sweet snowman cake is built from fluffy vanilla layers and decorated with whipped coconut cream frosting, creating a magical snow-kissed finish. Naturally dairy-free and easy to adapt for dietary needs, this cake is just as thoughtful as it is adorable. With pastel colors, a carrot nose, and piped details, it’s a charming way to bring snowy fun indoors—without the cold!
Table of Contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for first birthdays and winter celebrations
- Light and fluffy vanilla cake with a dairy-free coconut frosting
- Naturally sweetened and kid-friendly
- Customizable decorations (piping or candy!)
- Vegan & gluten-free options available
- Ideal for a smash cake or party centerpiece
🛒 Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup caster sugar (or fine granulated sugar)
- 3 tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups buttermilk (or plant-based substitute*)
For the Frosting:
- 2 cans coconut cream (refrigerated overnight)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar
- Natural food coloring: pink, brown, orange
Optional Decorations:
- Piping tips: Wilton #10, #30, #47
- Piping bags
- Mini chocolate candies, fondant, or fruit slices for alternative decorations
*Vegan Buttermilk: Mix 1¾ cups soy milk with 1½ tbsp vinegar and let sit 5 minutes
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two 6-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, combine oil, vanilla, and buttermilk. Add wet ingredients to the dry and stir until just combined (don’t overmix).
- Divide the batter evenly between pans. Bake for 30–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool completely, then level the tops with a serrated knife.
Make the Frosting:
- Scoop the thick part of the chilled coconut cream into a mixing bowl (discard the liquid). Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Whip until fluffy and spreadable.
- Divide frosting into four bowls:
- One stays white
- One large portion: tint pink
- Two small portions: tint brown and orange
Assemble the Cake:
- Spread a layer of white frosting between the cake layers.
- Frost the outside of the cake smoothly with remaining white frosting.
- Pipe pink dots around the base (scarf) and brown eyes/mouth with a round tip. Add an orange carrot-shaped nose.
- Use pink and brown to create a hat and floral accents on the sides.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
⏱️ Recipe Details
Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Chill Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 9 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 18 slices
🧮 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, approx.)
Calories: 260
Fat: 15g (Sat. Fat: 13g)
Carbs: 28g
Sugar: 10g
Protein: 4g
Sodium: 76mg
Cholesterol: 3mg
💡 Tips & Variations
- Vegan: Use soy milk + vinegar instead of buttermilk.
- Gluten-Free: Swap flour for 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
- Alternate Frosting: Use Swiss meringue or cream cheese buttercream if preferred.
- Not confident piping? Use chocolate chips, mini candies, or fondant for the snowman face.
- Turn it holiday-themed by adding piped trees or snowflake toppers!
🙋♀️ FAQs
Q: Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! Bake and frost the day before, then refrigerate. Add final decorative details before serving.
Q: Does the coconut cream frosting melt easily?
It’s stable when chilled. Keep refrigerated until 30 minutes before serving.
Q: What can I use if I don’t have a piping bag?
Use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off as a DIY piping bag.
Q: Can I double the recipe for a bigger party?
Absolutely! Use 8-inch pans and double the batter and frosting.
Winter ONEderland Cake
Equipment
- – Two 6-inch round pans
- Mixing bowls
- – Stand or hand mixer
- – Piping bags & tips
Ingredients
- **Cake:**
- – 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- – ¾ cup caster sugar
- – 3 tsp baking powder
- – ¾ tsp baking soda
- – Pinch salt
- – ½ cup vegetable oil
- – 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- – 2 cups buttermilk
- **Frosting:**
- – 2 cans coconut cream chilled overnight
- – 2 tsp vanilla extract
- – 1 tbsp powdered sugar
- – Natural food coloring: brown pink, orange
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two 6-inch cake pans.
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt.
- Mix oil, vanilla, and buttermilk. Combine with dry ingredients.
- Pour into pans. Bake 30–45 min. Cool completely.
- Level cakes if needed.
- **Frosting:**
- Scoop thick coconut cream. Whip with vanilla + sugar.
- Divide: white (plain), pink (large), brown + orange (small).
- **Assembly:**
- Frost cake layers with white frosting.
- Use pink for scarf/base, brown for face, orange for nose.
- Chill 2+ hours before serving.
Notes
– Gluten-free: use 1:1 GF flour.
– Decorate with candy if not piping.
– Use piping tips #10, #30, #47 for details.
🎁 Conclusion
This Winter ONEderland Cake is a dreamy dessert made to match your baby’s magical first birthday. With snowy-white frosting, pastel piping, and a snowman smile, it’s a winter celebration in every slice. Simple to bake, fun to decorate, and memorable to serve, this cake brings the cozy charm of winter indoors—minus the frostbite! Whether you’re hosting a small smash cake moment or a full-on frozen-themed party, this recipe has you covered.