# What You'll Need:
→ Vanilla Cake
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
→ Ocean Blue Ombre Frosting
09 - 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
10 - 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 1/4 cup whole milk, plus more as needed
12 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
13 - Blue gel food coloring in various shades
14 - Pinch of salt
→ Decoration
15 - White chocolate seashells or pearls
16 - Edible glitter or shimmer dust
17 - Sprinkles in blue and silver tones
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
05 - Add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
06 - Divide batter evenly among prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.
07 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla extract and salt. Beat in milk in small increments until frosting reaches smooth, spreadable consistency.
10 - Divide frosting into four separate bowls. Tint each batch with blue gel food coloring, creating a gradient progression from pale to deep ocean blue.
11 - Place first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with a thin layer of the lightest blue frosting. Repeat process with remaining cake layers.
12 - Using an offset spatula, frost the sides and top of the assembled cake, starting with the lightest shade at the top and gradually transitioning to the deepest blue at the base. Blend where colors meet to create seamless ombre effect.
13 - Embellish with white chocolate seashells, edible glitter, and sprinkles in blue and silver tones as desired.
14 - Refrigerate cake for 30 minutes before slicing for optimal texture and frosting definition.
