https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/shades-of-pink • Posted by DK Books
This spectacular shaded cake (also known as an ombré cake) is surprisingly easy to make. Gradated shades of pink sponge are sandwiched together with buttercream, and the cake is iced to match, with two pretty pink fondant butterflies resting on top.
This spectacular shaded cake (also known as an ombré cake) is surprisingly easy to make. Gradated shades of pink sponge are sandwiched together with buttercream, and the cake is iced to match, with two pretty pink fondant butterflies resting on top.
A day before you wish to serve, bake the cake. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas 4). Divide the sponge batter between 5 bowls. Add ⁄8 teaspoon of pink colouring paste to the first bowl; ⁄4 teaspoon to the second; ⁄2 teaspoon to the third; ⁄4 teaspoon to the fourth; and 1 teaspoon to the final bowl. Mix all bowls well until the batter is evenly coloured.
Pour the batter into the cake tins and bake for 20 minutes, test, and cool. Level the cakes. Spread a little buttercream icing onto the cake board, place the darkest cake on top, and move to the turntable.
Layer the cakes with buttercream icing, starting with the darkest at the bottom to the lightest at the top. Crumb coat the cake, and allow to rest for 1 hour.
Separate the remaining buttercream icing into 5 bowls and add the pink colouring paste to create 5 shades, from light to dark. Starting with the darkest shade of buttercream icing, ice the base up to abut 2.5cm (1in). Continue up the cake using the remaining shades of buttercream icing, from dark to light, until the sides are covered. Ice the top with the lightest shade.
On a surface dusted with cornflour, roll out the dark-pink 1 fondant to 2mm ( /16in) thick. Using a plunger cutter, cut out 2 butterflies and rest them in an open book, on a sheet of baking parchment. Dry overnight. Attach the butterflies to the top of the cake with a little buttercream icing.