Description
A stunning Purple Ombre Layer Cake featuring four vibrant shades of purple, layered with creamy vanilla buttercream frosting. Perfect for birthdays and celebrations, this moist and fluffy cake combines classic vanilla flavors with a visually striking ombre effect, sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- Purple food coloring (gel recommended)
Frosting Ingredients
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare Pans and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour four 8-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper circles to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure they are evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and whole milk to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
- Create Ombre Colors: Divide the batter evenly into four separate bowls. Add increasing amounts of purple gel food coloring to each bowl to create four distinct shades ranging from light lavender to deep violet.
- Bake the Layers: Pour each colored batter into the prepared 8-inch cake pans. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake layer comes out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes, then remove and place on wire racks until completely cool.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat the 2 cups of softened butter until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, continuing to beat until the frosting is light, creamy, and spreadable.
- Assemble the Cake: Starting from the darkest purple layer, stack the cake layers, spreading a thin layer of frosting between each one to secure them.
- Frost the Cake: Apply a generous layer of buttercream frosting around the entire cake, smoothing it with a spatula or frosting smoother for a clean finish.
- Chill and Serve: For easier slicing and neat layers, chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring to achieve vibrant shades without thinning the batter.
- Consider adding a touch of lemon or almond extract to the frosting for added flavor complexity.
- Chilling the cake before slicing ensures cleaner cuts and more defined layers.
- Ensure cakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting the buttercream.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 630
- Sugar: 58g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 85g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
