# What you'll need:
→ 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 in 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 in pastel shades to match cake layers
→ Floral Topper
16 - 1 cup edible flowers such as pansies, violas, roses, or chamomile
# Method:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Alternate adding the dry flour mixture and whole milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Incorporate gently until just combined.
05 - Divide the batter evenly into three bowls. Use gel food coloring to tint each bowl a different pastel hue. Mix gently to achieve a gradient effect.
06 - Pour each colored batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
07 - Beat unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, then vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream. Beat until fluffy, adding additional milk for desired consistency. Divide frosting into portions and tint with pastel gel colors for ombre effect.
08 - Level the cake layers if needed. Set the first layer on a serving plate and spread with buttercream. Repeat with subsequent layers. Apply a crumb coat, chill for 15 minutes, then finish by frosting the cake and blending shades to create the ombre effect.
09 - Arrange edible flowers atop the cake immediately before serving.
