Description
This stunning Purple Ombre Layer Cake features beautifully graduated shades of purple in each cake layer, paired with a smooth, creamy buttercream frosting. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any special occasion, this American-style dessert combines a moist, fluffy vanilla cake with vibrant gel food coloring for a dramatic ombre effect. The recipe includes tips for creating the perfect layers and decorating with matching ombre frosting or your favorite embellishments.
Ingredients
Scale
For the cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
- Purple gel food coloring (amounts vary for ombre effect)
For the buttercream frosting:
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Purple gel food coloring (optional for ombre frosting effect)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and line four 6-inch or three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will help create a tender cake crumb.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Batter: Alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and the room temperature milk to the batter, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake light.
- Create Ombre Effect: Divide the batter evenly into 3 or 4 bowls, depending on how many layers you want. Tint each portion with incrementally larger amounts of purple gel food coloring to achieve a gradient from light lavender to deep violet.
- Fill Pans and Bake: Pour each colored batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake in the oven for 22–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Remove the baked layers from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pans before removing to avoid breaking.
- Make Buttercream Frosting: Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar while continuing to mix. Blend in the vanilla extract, salt, and 2–3 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
- Optional Ombre Frosting: For a coordinated look, divide the frosting into portions and tint each with purple food coloring to match your cake layers.
- Assemble the Cake: Place the deepest purple layer on your serving plate and spread an even layer of frosting on top. Repeat layering with remaining cakes and frosting.
- Final Decoration: Cover the entire cake with a smooth layer of buttercream. Decorate as desired with sprinkles, fresh flowers, or edible pearls.
Notes
- Chill cake layers before stacking for easier assembly and cleaner edges.
- Gel food coloring is preferred as it offers vibrant color without changing the batter’s consistency.
- Decorate with sprinkles, fresh flowers, or edible pearls for an elegant finish.
