The 12 Cakes of Christmas is off to a fabulous start: twelve days of festive cakes created to inspire your holiday baking. Twelve talented bakers were invited to design elegant, imaginative cakes suitable for Christmas parties and winter weddings, and to share what inspires their work. It’s 12 bakers baking — it’s The 12 Cakes of Christmas.
The third cake in the series comes from Yeni Monroy and her team at Dream Day Cakes® in Gainesville, Florida. You may remember Yeni from past features on our site for her playful and creative designs. Her style is unmistakably whimsical and full of charm, and this cake is no exception. Let’s look at Yeni’s inspiration and admire the result: it’s The 3rd Cake of Christmas!
The design was inspired by one of the most magical events at the most magical place on earth: Disney’s Magic Kingdom during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Notice the fluffy white garland, the gingerbread men and stocking ornaments, and the festive lights. These elements became the guiding details for the cake’s design.
The result is a five-tier cake shaped like an enchanting Christmas tree. Layers of fondant ruffles flare like branches, creating delicate ledges for tiny edible ornaments. Smiling gingerbread figures, stockings and candy canes add cheer, and the cake is crowned with a radiant edible star. Even more striking: the design incorporates real lights, giving the piece a literal glow and bringing the holiday spirit to life.
Fred from Dream Day Cakes explains the inspiration:
“Yeni loves Christmas. When they wrote ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year,’ they must have had Yeni in mind. From the moment Thanksgiving ends, she lights up. From decorations to twinkling lights, she embodies the spirit of the season.
There are old traditions, like the Christmas tree, and new favorites such as gingerbread men. Growing up in Colombia, Yeni didn’t see gingerbread figures until she came to the United States — it was love at first sight. She embraces them fully.
Our family tradition includes a trip to Walt Disney World for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. It’s a magical time where we can enjoy snow, Santa, and a Winter Wonderland.”
Fred from Dream Day Cakes describes the construction:
“This Christmas tree is made from five tiers of cake. The tiers are elevated using a technique learned from Chef Courtney Clark of Cake Nouveau. Beneath the tiers are cake truffle gift boxes used to support the structure.
The cake is covered in apple-green fondant, shaped with several techniques to suggest tree branches. It was decorated with edible ornaments shaped like gingerbread men, stockings, and candy canes. The top features a gold edible star accented with scrollwork.”
To amplify the festive effect, Yeni and Fred surrounded the cake with 50 feet of bright LED lights, creating a dramatic, glowing centerpiece that captures the joy and wonder of the season.
This extraordinary tree is both playful and elegant, a celebration of holiday tradition and creative cake design. It captures the warmth, sparkle, and delight of the season — a truly merry and memorable creation.
A heartfelt thanks to Yeni and Fred at Dream Day Cakes® for sharing their joyful Christmas Tree Cake and their creative process.
VENDORS & CREDITS
Cake: Dream Day Cakes®
Inspiration: Disney Christmas Tree