Description
This Vanilla Strawberry Ombre Cake is a stunning layered cake featuring vanilla cake layers in varying shades of pink, frosted with a delicious strawberry frosting. Perfect for special occasions or celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Vanilla Cake Layers:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- red or pink food coloring
For the Strawberry Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries (pulverized into powder)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
For Garnish (optional):
- Fresh strawberries
- white chocolate curls
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour.
- Divide the batter evenly into three bowls. Leave one bowl plain. Add a small amount of pink or red food coloring to the second bowl for a light pink shade. Add more coloring to the third bowl for a deeper pink.
- Pour each colored batter into a separate prepared pan. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cakes cool completely before assembling.
- To make the frosting, beat softened butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in the strawberry powder, cream, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Level the cake layers if needed. Stack the darkest layer on the bottom, spreading a layer of frosting between each. Continue with the lighter layers.
- Apply a thin crumb coat, chill for 15 minutes, then frost the entire cake. Decorate with fresh strawberries or other toppings if desired.
Notes
- For a deeper strawberry flavor, add a tablespoon of strawberry jam to the frosting.
- Freeze-dried strawberries give the best natural pink color and flavor without excess moisture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 52g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
