Vanilla Strawberry Ombre Cake:

Vanilla Strawberry Ombre Cake:

A Layered Delight

Ingredients:

• For the Cake:
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole milk
• Pink food coloring (optional, for ombre effect)
• For the Frosting:
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pink food coloring (for ombre effect)
• For Decoration:
• Fresh strawberries, whole and halved
• Edible gold sprinkles
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

Prepare the Cake Layers:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk, until smooth.
Create the Ombre Effect:
Divide the batter evenly into three bowls. Leave one plain, tint the second with a small amount of pink food coloring, and tint the third with a deeper shade of pink. Mix until the colors are uniform.
Pour each batter into its prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely.
Prepare the Frosting:
Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with milk, and beat until fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Divide the frosting into three bowls. Leave one plain, tint one light pink, and tint the other a deeper pink.
Assemble the Cake:
Place the darkest pink cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a thin layer of frosting on top. Repeat with the lighter pink layer and then the plain layer.
Frost the outside of the cake, starting with the darkest pink at the bottom, the lighter pink in the middle, and the plain frosting at the top. Blend the edges for a smooth ombre effect.

Decoration Tips:

Arrange fresh strawberries on top, alternating whole and halved for visual contrast.
Add edible gold sprinkles to the frosting for a touch of elegance.
Dust the strawberries lightly with powdered sugar for a frosty look.
Pipe additional swirls of frosting around the edges for a polished finish.
Place the cake on a white or pastel-colored stand to complement the ombre effect.
Happy Baking