Pisces Ocean Galaxy Cake (Print Version)

Vanilla cake adorned with swirling ocean-toned galaxy buttercream and sparkling edible accents.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cake

01 - 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1.75 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature

→ Ocean Galaxy Buttercream

09 - 1.5 cups unsalted butter, softened
10 - 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 0.25 cup whole milk
12 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
13 - Gel food coloring: navy blue, teal, purple, turquoise, white
14 - Edible glitter or white sprinkles for garnish

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract until fully combined.
05 - Alternately add dry ingredient mixture and milk to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined to avoid overdevelopment.
06 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 28-32 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
07 - Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks and cool completely to room temperature.
08 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, beating thoroughly. Add vanilla and milk, then beat for 3-4 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
09 - Divide buttercream into 4-5 separate bowls. Tint each portion with gel food coloring to create navy blue, teal, purple, turquoise, and one white batch.
10 - Place random dollops of each colored buttercream across cake layers. Use an offset spatula to swirl colors together, creating a marbled galaxy appearance.
11 - Scatter edible glitter or white sprinkles across the frosted cake surface for a starry, celestial finish.
12 - Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing to achieve clean, distinct layers.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning with minimal decorating skill because the swirled colors do most of the work for you.
  • The vanilla cake stays moist and tender, so even the next day it still tastes fresh and buttery.
  • Watching someone's face light up when they see the galaxy frosting is honestly the best part of making this.
02 -
  • Room temperature eggs and milk mix into the batter infinitely better than cold ones, so pull them out of the fridge thirty minutes before you start.
  • Gel food coloring is non-negotiable for this frosting because liquid coloring makes it seize and become grainy.
03 -
  • Chill your offset spatula in the freezer for two minutes before frosting so it glides through the buttercream without dragging and tearing.
  • If the frosting ever feels too soft while you're working, pop the whole cake in the fridge for five minutes to firm it back up before continuing.
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