White Christmas Cake

INGREDIENTS

large egg whites (at room temperature)

3/4 cup

whole milk (divided, at room temperature)

2 1/2 tsp

pure vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups

cake flour (sifted then spooned & leveled)

1 3/4 cups

sugar

1 tbsp

PLUS 1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 tsp

salt

3/4 cup

unsalted butter (at room temperature and cubed, 1 1/2 sticks)

1 1/2 cups

PLUS 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened but cool, 3 sticks)

3 1/2 cups

powdered sugar (sifted)

3 tbsp

milk

1 1/2 tsp

pure vanilla extract

salt

white sanding sugar (for decoration)

ready-to-use gum paste

snowflake cookie cutters

thin silver or white floral wire

small brushes

clear alcohol or extract

silver or pearlescent luster dust