Ombre Layer Cake Recipe

Recipe from Wilton.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Wilton Imitation Clear Vanilla Extract
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• 4 egg whites
• Icing Colors, as desired
• 3/4 cup solid vegetable shortening
• 6 cups (about 1 1/2 lbs) sifted confectioners' sugar
• Wilton Easy Layers! Cake Pan Set

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325°F. Prepare pans with vegetable pan spray.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and beat well. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with milk; beat until just combined. If desired, tint portions of the cake batter with icing color for the ombre effect. Divide evenly into prepared pans.

Bake for 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan on a cooling grid; remove and cool completely before icing.

For the icing, beat shortening and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of the bowl often. When all the sugar has been mixed in, the icing will appear dry. Gradually add milk; beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

To assemble, cut the crowns off of each cake layer. Place the first layer on a cake board or serving plate. Spread a layer of icing to the edges of the cake. Top with the second cake. Repeat with remaining icing and cake. Ice the top and sides of the cake.