Description
An ombre cake is a stunning dessert with layers of gradually changing colors, making it perfect for celebrations and special occasions. This step-by-step recipe shows you how to create a beautiful ombre effect, both in the cake layers and the frosting. A showstopper that tastes as good as it looks!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Cake Layers:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- Gel food coloring in your desired shades (e.g., pink, blue, or purple)
- For the Frosting:
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring in matching shades
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three or four 8-inch round cake pans.
- Make the Batter:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
- Color the Layers:
- Divide the batter evenly into separate bowls (3 or 4, depending on the number of layers). Add a small amount of gel food coloring to each bowl, increasing the intensity with each bowl to create a gradient.
- Bake the Cakes:
- Pour each colored batter into its own prepared cake pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the layers cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting:
- Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract, mixing until fluffy. Divide frosting into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring to match the gradient of the cake layers.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Place the darkest cake layer on a cake board. Spread a thin layer of frosting, then stack the next lightest layer. Repeat until all layers are stacked.
- Use the matching colored frosting to frost the sides and top of the cake, blending the colors for an ombre effect. Smooth with an offset spatula.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without altering the texture of the batter or frosting.
- For even layers, use a kitchen scale to divide the batter equally.
- Store leftover cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 60g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Ombre Cake, ombre layer cake recipe, colorful cake, gradient cake recipe, ombre frosting cake, easy ombre cake, celebration cake recipe