# 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, 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 to match cake layers
→ Floral Topper
16 - 1 cup edible flowers, such as pansies, violas, roses or chamomile
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
03 - Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
05 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix gently until combined.
06 - Divide the batter evenly into three bowls. Tint each portion with a different pastel gel food coloring to create ombre layers.
07 - Pour each colored batter into prepared pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
08 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, followed by vanilla and 3 tablespoons milk or cream. Beat until fluffy, adding more liquid if needed. Divide frosting and tint with pastel gel colors for ombre effect.
09 - Level cake layers if necessary. Place one layer on a serving plate and spread with buttercream. Repeat with remaining layers. Apply a crumb coat and chill for 15 minutes. Frost cake, blending colors for ombre appearance.
10 - Arrange edible flowers on top of the cake just prior to serving.
