# What Goes In:
→ 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 - 3–4 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 flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl.
03 - In a large bowl, beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and finishing with the dry mixture. Mix gently until just combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly among three bowls. Tint each portion using gel food coloring for pastel hues, mixing gently to achieve gradient tones.
06 - Pour each colored batter into prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
07 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, followed by vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons milk or cream. Beat until light and fluffy. Divide frosting and tint each portion with desired pastel gel colors.
08 - Level cake layers if necessary. Place first layer on a serving plate, spread with buttercream, repeat for remaining layers. Apply a crumb coat, chill cake for 15 minutes, then finish frosting, blending pastel shades to create ombre effect.
09 - Decorate the top with edible flowers just before serving.
