# Ingredient List:
→ Cake Layers
01 - 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
06 - 2 cups granulated sugar
07 - 4 large eggs, at room temperature
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk, at room temperature
10 - Blue gel food coloring in navy, royal, and light blue shades
→ Vanilla Buttercream
11 - 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
12 - 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
14 - 3–4 tablespoons milk or cream
15 - Pinch of salt
16 - Dark blue gel food coloring
→ Gold Decoration
17 - Edible gold leaf or edible gold dust
18 - 1–2 tablespoons clear alcohol (vodka or lemon extract, if using gold dust)
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; whisk to distribute evenly.
03 - In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat butter and granulated sugar together until light and airy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Incorporate eggs one at a time, beating well after each; blend in vanilla extract until fully combined.
05 - Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until combined, without over-mixing.
06 - Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Tint each portion with blue gel food coloring, creating gradients from light to dark blue.
07 - Pour each colored batter into a prepared pan and smooth the surface.
08 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
09 - Beat butter in a large bowl until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well. Add vanilla extract, salt, and enough milk or cream to achieve a spreadable consistency.
10 - Set aside 1 cup of buttercream for the crumb coat; tint the remaining buttercream with dark blue gel color for the exterior.
11 - Trim layers if necessary for even stacking. Place darkest blue layer on serving platter and spread a thin layer of buttercream; repeat with remaining layers from dark to light.
12 - Spread a thin layer of reserved plain buttercream over entire cake for crumb coating. Chill for 20 minutes.
13 - Evenly frost cake with dark blue buttercream. Blend lighter blue tones toward the top for an ombre finish, if desired.
14 - Decorate cake with edible gold leaf or brush gold dust (mixed with clear alcohol) in streaks or along edges.
15 - Refrigerate the finished cake until ready to serve.
