Delectables| Ombre' Cake

The ombre' trend does not stop at hair & nails! This year there has also been a growing number of searches on recipes for ombre' cakes. This is such a fun and relatively simple treat to make.

You can start by using any white cake box mix and mixing exactly as directed (skipping down to step # 2).
 If you want to spice it up a bit you can use that box and add the following to make a "white velvet" cake. It turns out so fluffy and moist.

White Velvet Cake:
- 1 1/3 cups water
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream

1. Mix water, eggs, vanilla, & sour cream together then add

- White cake box mix (i like Duncan Hines)
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/8 tsp salt

2. Separate batter into equal portions in separate bowls based on how many layers (or colors) you would like you cake to have.  (This batter fills about two 8" round pans -about 7 1/2 cups- So you may want to revise the quantities depending on your desired cake size) Click here for Cooking Measurement Conversion

3. Now add your food coloring of choice. You can leave the first batch white (your choice), then add 1 drop to the second batch, 2 drops to the third batch and so on. Be careful when you get to the darker colors because that is when the color begins to look the same. So starting off with 1 drop is your best bet and you can put as many as you like in the last batch.

4. Pour batter into separate cake pans, making sure they are all equal in height. About 1 inch should be good because it will rise. Note: if you only have 1 or 2 pans to work with, then start with the darker colors so you can begin the layering while the rest is baking.

5. Bake as instructed on your box

6. When it is done baking let cool for a few minutes then dump onto your parchment paper to cool further. (if your cake top is very uneven you may want to level it off using a large serrated knife)

7. Finally, when cool (starting with the darkest layer) place on your cake stand and spread a thin layer of your frosting on top of the cake. Do not frost all the way to the edges because it will spread out naturally when the other layers are placed.

8. Repeat step 7 with all of you additional layers (continuing up from dark to light), placing them evenly on top and spreading a thin layer of frosting.

9. Once all layers are stacked you can now add a generous helping of frosting along the top and sides of the cake.
VOILA!

Check out these ombre' cakes for inspiration...