Pisces Ocean Blue Cake (Printable Version)

Vanilla sponge layers topped with smooth blue ombre buttercream and delicate seashell decor.

# What You Need:

→ Vanilla Cake

01 - 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
04 - 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1.75 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature

→ Ocean Blue Ombre Frosting

09 - 1.5 cups unsalted butter, softened
10 - 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 0.25 cup whole milk, plus more as needed
12 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
13 - Blue gel food coloring in various shades
14 - Pinch of salt

→ Decoration

15 - White chocolate seashells or pearls
16 - Edible glitter or shimmer dust
17 - Blue and silver tone sprinkles

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract and mix until combined.
05 - Add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
06 - Divide batter evenly among prepared pans and smooth tops with a spatula.
07 - Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing after each addition. Add vanilla and salt. Beat in milk gradually until frosting reaches smooth, spreadable consistency.
10 - Divide frosting into 4 bowls. Tint each portion with blue gel food coloring, creating a gradient from pale to deep ocean blue.
11 - Place first cake layer on serving plate. Spread with thin layer of lightest blue frosting. Repeat with remaining layers.
12 - Using offset spatula, frost sides and top of cake, starting with lightest shade at top and gradually transitioning to deepest blue at base. Blend colors where they meet for seamless ombre effect.
13 - Decorate with white chocolate seashells, edible glitter, and blue and silver sprinkles as desired.
14 - Refrigerate cake for 30 minutes before slicing to ensure clean cuts and optimal texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The ombre frosting looks like you spent all day at pastry school but takes less than an hour to master.
  • Moist vanilla cake layers stay tender for days, making this forgiving enough for first-timers but impressive enough to stake your reputation on.
  • It's vegetarian, feeds a crowd, and doubles as edible art that actually tastes incredible.
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are not optional—they emulsify properly and create a smooth, lump-free batter that bakes evenly.
  • Gel food coloring is worth hunting down because liquid coloring thins your frosting and turns your ombre muddy and watery.
  • Do not stack warm cakes; they'll slide, crack, and turn your masterpiece into a leaning tower of frosting desperation.
03 -
  • Use an offset spatula instead of a regular knife for frosting—the angled blade gives you control and smooth transitions that look professional.
  • Make your frosting the day before and refrigerate it; it's easier to color, spread, and blend when slightly firmer than freshly whipped frosting.
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