Pin It A festive and visually stunning vanilla layer cake, frosted with luscious strawberry buttercream in an eye-catching pink ombre effect—perfect for celebrating friendship and love. This Galentine's Cake is designed to be the centerpiece of your celebration, combining a tender crumb with the bright, natural flavor of strawberries.
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Creating the perfect ombre effect is easier than it looks. By dividing your buttercream and gradually deepening the pink hue with food coloring, you can create a beautiful gradient that mirrors the layers of friendship you are celebrating.
Ingredients
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- For the Vanilla Cake: 2 1/2 cups (310 g) all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp fine salt, 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter (room temperature), 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar, 4 large eggs (room temperature), 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract, 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk (room temperature).
- For the Strawberry Buttercream: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter (room temperature), 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar (sifted), 1/2 cup (120 g) freeze-dried strawberries (finely ground), 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, Pinch of salt, Pink gel food coloring (optional).
- For Assembly & Decoration: Fresh strawberries (optional), Edible glitter or sprinkles (optional).
Instructions
- 1. Oven and Pan Prep
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans with parchment paper.
- 2. Whisk Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- 3. Cream Butter and Sugar
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy, which should take about 3 minutes.
- 4. Add Eggs and Vanilla
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- 5. Combine Wet and Dry
- Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- 6. Divide and Smooth
- Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.
- 7. Bake
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- 8. Cool the Layers
- Cool the cakes in their pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
- 9. Make the Buttercream
- Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and ground freeze-dried strawberries. Mix in the cream, vanilla, and salt, then beat until fluffy.
- 10. Create the Pink Shades
- Divide the buttercream into three bowls. Leave the first plain, tint the second light pink, and the third a deeper pink using gel food coloring.
- 11. Prep Piping Bags
- Place the darkest pink, medium pink, and light pink buttercreams into three separate piping bags.
- 12. Assemble the Cake
- Level the layers if necessary. Place the first layer on a plate, spread with the lightest buttercream, and repeat with remaining layers, using the medium and dark pinks as you stack.
- 13. Apply Ombre Effect
- Spread dark pink on the bottom third, medium in the middle, and light on top. Smooth with a cake scraper to blend the colors slightly.
- 14. Final Decor
- Garnish with fresh strawberries and edible glitter. Chill for 30 minutes before slicing to ensure clean layers.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
To achieve a perfectly smooth finish on your ombre frosting, dip your cake scraper in warm water and wipe it dry before the final pass. This slightly warms the butter in the frosting and helps fill in any small gaps or bubbles.
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Varianten und Anpassungen
For extra strawberry flavor, add a thin layer of strawberry jam between the cake layers. If you are preparing for a large party, you can bake and freeze the cake layers up to 1 month in advance to save time on the day of your event.
Serviervorschläge
Pair this festive cake with a glass of sparkling rosé or a light fruity cocktail. It is best served chilled but allowed to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before eating to soften the buttercream slightly.
Pin It This Galentine's Cake is more than just a dessert; it is a labor of love that celebrates the sweetness of friendship. Share a slice and enjoy the bright, fruity flavors together!
Recipe FAQs
- → What creates the pink ombre effect on the frosting?
The ombre effect comes from tinting the strawberry buttercream in three shades of pink using optional pink gel food coloring and layering them smoothly over the cake.
- → Can I prepare the cake layers in advance?
Yes, the layers can be baked ahead of time and frozen for up to one month before assembly.
- → What ingredients enhance the strawberry flavor in the frosting?
Ground freeze-dried strawberries are mixed into the buttercream, intensifying its strawberry flavor naturally.
- → How do you achieve a moist vanilla cake texture?
Using room temperature butter, eggs, and milk and alternating flour with milk while mixing helps create a tender and moist cake crumb.
- → What tools are recommended for decorating the cake?
Using piping bags for the buttercream and an offset spatula or cake scraper provides smooth layers and seamless blending for the ombre effect.
