# Ingredient List:
→ Cake
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
06 - 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
07 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
09 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
10 - Gel food coloring, pastel pink, yellow, green, or blue
→ Buttercream Frosting
11 - 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
12 - 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
14 - 3 to 4 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream
15 - Gel food coloring, pastel shades
→ Floral Topper
16 - 1 cup edible flowers, such as pansies, violas, roses, or chamomile
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Incorporate vanilla extract.
04 - Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just incorporated.
05 - Divide batter evenly among three bowls. Add a different pastel gel food coloring to each, mixing gently to create a gradient.
06 - Transfer each colored batter to prepared pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn onto wire racks to cool fully.
07 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and 3 tablespoons milk or cream. Beat until fluffy, adding more milk as needed. Divide frosting and tint with pastel colors.
08 - Level cake layers if necessary. Place first layer on serving plate, spread with colored buttercream, and repeat with remaining layers. Apply a crumb coat, chill for 15 minutes, then frost with ombre effect using tinted buttercream.
09 - Arrange edible flowers atop the cake just before serving.
