Dive into a dreamy underwater world with this Deep Sea Cake! Featuring three blue ombré vanilla cake layers, ocean-hued buttercream, edible shells, shimmering coral, and sandy graham cracker shores, this cake is perfect for mermaid parties, beach-themed birthdays, or any sea-loving celebration. Elegant, whimsical, and irresistibly delicious!

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🧁 Ingredients

Vanilla Cake (3 Layers – 8-Inch Pans)

• 2½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour

• 2½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temp

• 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar

• 4 large eggs, room temp

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temp

• Blue gel food coloring (light, medium, navy shades)

Buttercream Frosting

• 1½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, room temp

• 5 cups (600g) powdered sugar

• 2–4 tbsp heavy cream or milk

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• Blue gel food coloring (various ocean shades)

Decorations

• Edible seashells & starfish (made with molds + white chocolate or candy melts)

• Coral pieces (piped melted white chocolate, hardened)

• Crushed graham crackers (for edible “sand”)

• Edible pearl (white chocolate truffle or molded sugar pearl)

• Pearl shell (fondant or sugar paste)

• Edible shimmer dust or luster spray (optional)

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🎂 Instructions

1️⃣ Bake the Cake Layers

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch pans.

2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.

4. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.

5. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk, starting and ending with flour.

6. Divide the batter evenly into three bowls and tint each a different shade of blue.

7. Pour into prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

8. Let cool completely before assembling.

2️⃣ Make the Buttercream

1. Beat butter until smooth and creamy.

2. Gradually add powdered sugar until well incorporated.

3. Mix in vanilla and enough cream to reach a spreadable consistency.

4. Divide and tint the frosting into multiple shades of blue.

5. Apply a crumb coat and refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes.

6. Frost the cake using wave-like, ombré layers—start with light blue at the top, transitioning to darker blues toward the bottom.

3️⃣ Decorate the Deep Sea Fantasy

• Shells & Starfish: Pour melted white chocolate or candy melts into silicone molds. Once set, dust with edible shimmer or gold luster.

• Coral: Pipe melted white chocolate into coral shapes on parchment paper. Let cool until firm.

• Sand: Sprinkle crushed graham crackers around the base of the cake.

• Pearl & Shell: Shape a clam shell from fondant or sugar paste, and place a candy pearl or truffle inside.

• Shimmer: Finish with a mist of edible pearl spray for an ethereal glow.

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💡 Pro Tips

• Use an offset spatula or palette knife to create textured, ocean-like frosting waves.

• Freeze cake layers for 30 minutes before stacking to reduce crumbs.

• Chill decorations before applying to prevent them from melting or sliding.

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🐚 Perfect For:

Mermaid parties • Under-the-sea birthdays • Beach weddings • Ocean-themed baby showers