# What You 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
→ Floral Topper
16 - 1 cup edible flowers, such as pansies, violas, roses, or chamomile
# Directions:
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 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. Add eggs individually, mixing well after each addition. Stir in pure vanilla extract.
04 - Alternate adding flour mixture and whole milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Tint each with a different pastel gel food coloring, mixing gently for gradient effect.
06 - Pour colored batters into prepared pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
07 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, then pure vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream. Beat until fluffy, adding additional milk if needed. Divide frosting and tint with pastel colors for ombre effect.
08 - Level cake layers if necessary. Place first layer on serving plate, spread with buttercream, and repeat with remaining layers. Apply crumb coat, chill for 15 minutes, then frost cake, blending colors for ombre finish.
09 - Arrange edible flowers on top of the cake just before serving.
