Instructions
Step 1: Bake the Cake Layers
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Gradually mix in the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 2: Prepare the Blue Buttercream Frosting
- Beat the Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy and smooth.
- Add Sugar and Cream: Gradually add the powdered sugar and heavy cream, mixing on low until incorporated, then beat on high until fluffy.
- Add Flavor and Color: Mix in the vanilla extract and add gel food coloring a little at a time until you achieve your desired shade of blue.
Step 3: Assemble the Cake
- Layer the Cakes: Once the cake layers have cooled, place one layer on a serving platter. Spread a generous layer of blue buttercream frosting on top. Repeat with the second layer.
- Top Layer: Place the final cake layer on top, and apply a thin crumb coat of frosting around the entire cake to seal in any crumbs. Chill the cake for about 30 minutes to set the crumb coat.
- Final Frosting: After chilling, apply a thicker layer of the blue buttercream frosting around the top and sides of the cake, smoothing it out as desired.
Step 4: Create the Blue Cascade Decoration
- Cascading Effect: Using a piping bag fitted with a small round tip, pipe small rosettes or dots in a cascading pattern down one side of the cake, starting from the top and working your way down. Feel free to mix different shades of blue to create depth.
- Decorate: Adorn the cake with edible flowers, fresh berries, or gold/silver leaf for a sophisticated finish.
Tips for Success
- Cake Storage: Keep the assembled cake refrigerated until serving to maintain freshness and stability.
- Make Ahead: You can bake the cake layers a day in advance and frost them the following day to save time.
- Custom Colors: Feel free to adjust the colors based on your wedding theme. Pink, lavender, or even classic white would also look stunning!
Conclusion
The Elegant Blue Cascade Wedding Cake is not just a dessert; it’s a beautiful expression of love and celebration. With its moist layers, creamy frosting, and stunning presentation, this cake is sure to be the highlight of your wedding day or any special occasion. Gather your ingredients and prepare to impress your guests with a cake that’s as delightful to taste as it is to behold!
