Description
A vibrant layer cake inspired by the ocean, featuring a gradient of blue colors and a rich vanilla flavor, perfect for celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 3 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 large eggs
- Blue food coloring
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2–4 tbsp heavy cream
- Additional blue food coloring for ombre effect
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare three 9-inch round cake pans by greasing and flouring them.
- Cream the sugar and butter together in a large bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until blended.
- In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly into three bowls. Tint one bowl plain, the second with medium blue, and the third with dark blue food coloring.
- Pour the batters into prepared pans, starting with the lightest blue and finishing with the darkest. Swirl gently with a knife if desired.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks.
- Prepare the buttercream frosting by beating the softened butter and gradually adding powdered sugar and heavy cream.
- Divide the frosting into three bowls and color each to match the cake layers.
- Level the cooled cake layers, stack them with frosting between each layer, and finish with frosting on top and sides.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Make the cake layers a day in advance and frost just before serving. For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flaxseed meal and use plant-based butter.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: layer cake, ocean cake, blue cake, vanilla cake, dessert