It’s hot out there but cake may be the best way to beat the summer heat.
Yes, cake.
This heat wave is all the more reason to find cool INDOOR activities… like practicing cake frosting techniques.
Now that my cool-down secret is out of the bag, allow me to show you how to make an Ombre cake.
I know, I shared a cake last week. Forgive me. I just couldn’t help it but I think you’ll like this technique.
The beauty of this cake lies in the multi-colored frosting or ombre, which means shaded color in French.
Each shade has a soft and subtle gradient that gives this dessert its dreamy appearance.
I started with a simple box cake mix and I used the easy buttercream recipe below.
Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 3 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1 cup softened butter
- 2-4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream add one at a time, as needed for desired consistency
- 1 teaspoons vanilla
- Gel coloring
Instructions
- Mix softened butter, vanilla in stand mixer until soft and fluffy.
- Slowly add confectioner’s sugar and continue mixing.
- Once all sugar has been added mix until light and fluffy.
- Add a small drop of gel coloring and mix. Repeat if necessary to achieve desired shade.
A little gel food coloring goes a long way.
So, start with a small dab of coloring and then add more coloring to each bowl to darken each bowl as you go.
If the color is too light, just add more coloring.
If the frosting is too dark, adding more plain frosting may help.
Once you have the shades you like, load each bowl into its own piping bag.
I used two, 6-inch cake pans for this cake and I cut each one in half which gave me four layers.
Pipe several rows of the darkest frosting along the lower portion of the cake.
Cover about 1/3 of the cake.
Repeat the steps and cover the middle part of the cake with the medium shade of frosting.
Finally, add several rows of the lightest frosting around the upper, remaining layers of the cake.
Use an off-set spatula to gently smooth the icing around the entire cake.
Pipe out icing on top of the cake and then, smooth that over as well.
It may take several passes with the off-set spatula to get the smooth effect.
It also wouldn’t hurt to run the spatula over warm water, wipe off the water.
The warm offset spatula will also help smooth the buttercream.
You can leave the top of the cake smooth or add floral elements for a more decorative presentation.
Or you could add buttercream peonies which you can see how to make HERE.
I personally like the the look of floral toppers.
This is another photo shoot that I conducted in my well-lit foyer.
I love setting up props and experimenting with various textures and backdrops.
As much as I love the setup… I hate the take down and cleanup.
It’s kind of like how I feel about grocery shopping. Love putting things in the cart, hate having to put everything away when I get home.
If you’ve never used 6-inch cake pans, you should give them a try.
The cake is smaller but it’s also taller and I think it’s much more elegant.
It also slices beautifully.
I’ve been on a bit of a cake making and frosting binge this year for sure.
You can revisit a few of my other cakes from earlier posts, you can see them HERE, HERE and HERE.
If you’re inspired to make and ombre cake, I’d love to know how it turns out for you.
In the meantime… stay cool… and make cake.
Thanks for stopping by.
See you back here next time. ♥
This is so beautiful and elegant, your cakes always amazes me, I don’t think I could make something even close to your cakes, but I can dream, and try, right?
Thank for such inspiring posts.
The cake is gorgeous! I don’t make sweets just because all of my quality control testers live out of town 🙁 It would be nice if they were nearby – I’m sure they would gladly volunteer. I love your setup. I’m still trying to find the best place. The ombre technique would be beautiful in just about any shade. Gorgeous inspiration!
Thanks Marisa! I’m luck to have my taste testers still at home-lol.
Also, my neighbors love me for sharing my blog posts… literally.
I think this would look great with shades of pink with a little ivory thrown in. I may try that next.
Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing this beautiful technique. Your skill and attention to detail amaze me. Are you sure there wasn’t a fairy godmother waving her magic wand over your foyer setup that produced all the beauty?! Simply magical looking! Your home adds to the elegance of your creativity. Thank you for taking the time to share your work. Inspiringly motivating.
You’re so sweet, Sherry.
I really appreciate that.
So glad you like seeing my setups too. I always like to see how other people create their shots and I’m happy to share mine.
Have a great week.
Lisa – this is magical, for sure. Looking at the photos made me smile…what lovely inspiration. So quiet and insightful…and all done with a cake. Wow!
Thanks, Jeanne. Your comment made me smile.
I find cake decorating really relaxing too.
Amazing what you can do with a simple box mix, right?
Lovely cake recipe. I am a great fan of cake. This looks outrageously tempting!
Thanks Puja.
Cake decorating is kind of addictive, isn’t it?
Too beautiful to eat!!….always love seeing your photo propping!…Magnificent photography!!!
Thanks Shirley. Hope you’re inspired.
I’ll be watching to see what cake you tackle-lol.
Happy day.
Lisa,
The colors of the cake certainly look cool and refreshing, plus stunning! Your cakes always look almost too good to eat. And once again, your photography tips are just the best…
Judith
Thanks so much, Judith. I appreciate that. You know sometimes I just make a cake for the heck of it. It’s fun just to experiment.
Regina, if I can make this… I promise you can too. Please try and let me know how it turns out. You’ll enjoy it. Thanks for your sweet words about my cake creations too.
So pretty Lisa. As I write I have dispatched my husband to attach a nail to some cardboard. Wish us luck. I love the six inch cake pans. I had never thought to use them and they are really a nice size for two people. Although I did use the same amount of cake batter. But I am not telling.
Thanks Martha! You know, I’m not sure I will ever use a standard size cake pan again-lol.
The 6-inch pans create more than enough for a family of four too.
I also like the way the 6-inch layers stack up. They’re more boutique-ish, if you know what I mean.
Love that you’re inspired.