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Stunning Cancer Zodiac Birthday Cake Recipe with Easy Ocean Blue Ombré Frosting

Cancer Zodiac Birthday Cake - featured image
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A moist vanilla cake with a smooth ocean blue ombré cream cheese and butter frosting, inspired by the Cancer zodiac sign’s watery and nurturing nature. This cake is perfect for birthday celebrations and features a stunning gradient frosting technique.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (about 315 grams), sifted
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350 grams) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 8 oz (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • 4 cups (480 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (for smoothing frosting)
  • Gel food coloring in shades of blue: dark ocean blue, medium sky blue, pale baby blue

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with buttermilk in two parts (dry-wet-dry-wet-dry). Mix just until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops. Bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.
  8. For frosting, beat softened butter and cream cheese on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed. Add vanilla and milk or cream, beating until smooth and spreadable.
  9. Divide frosting into three bowls. Tint each with gel food coloring: one dark ocean blue, one medium sky blue, and one pale baby blue. Adjust colors gradually for a smooth gradient.
  10. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread a thin layer of pale blue frosting. Add second cake layer. Apply darkest blue frosting at bottom, medium blue in middle, pale blue on top. Blend colors gently upward with an offset spatula to create ombré effect.
  11. Chill cake for about 20 minutes to set frosting.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning frosting. Chill frosting if too soft to hold shape better. Apply frosting in layers from darkest to lightest for smooth ombré effect. Room temperature ingredients ensure smooth batter and frosting. Avoid overmixing batter to keep cake tender.

Nutrition

Keywords: birthday cake, Cancer zodiac cake, ocean blue frosting, ombré frosting, vanilla cake, cream cheese frosting, easy birthday cake, ombré cake

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/stunning-cancer-zodiac-birthday-cake-recipe-with-easy-ocean-blue-ombr-e-frosting/