Recipes & Food Styling

Violet’s Ombre Birthday Cake!

I have always wanted to make an ombre birthday cake. The first birthday of my sweet darling Cocker Spaniel, Violet, was the perfect opportunity! 

I split the batter into thirds and used purple food color in each of the thirds, making each one a little darker. 

I made a powdered sugar glaze with powdered sugar, milk and a teeny tiny speck of vanilla. Add milk slowly to the mixture- you can always add more.  

Basic Yellow Cake 

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 ½ teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1 1/3 cups granulated sugar

¾ cup butter, softened

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

3 eggs

1 ¼ cups milk

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt.

Using an electric mixer on medium, beat together sugar and 3/4 cup butter. Beat until light and fluffy. Scrape the edges of the bowl to ensure all batter is incorporated. Beat in 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla and eggs. Alternately add flour mixture and 1 ¼ cups milk, beat after each is added. Pour batter into greased cake pan.

In a 350 degree oven, bake for approximately 35 minutes or until toothpick comes clean out of the center clean. Let cool. 

When cakes are cool, stack them, placing the darkest layer on the bottom. 

Pour just enough glaze on top so that some drips over the edges of the cake.