Ballerina Cake

Ingredients (for three 6-inch or two 8-inch layers):

• 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temp
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temp

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line your cake pans with parchment.
2. In a bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy (3–4 mins).
4. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
5. Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk in batches, mixing until just combined.
6. Divide batter evenly among pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool completely before frosting.

🍓 Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 ½ cups (400g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed (or 3 tbsp strawberry jam)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1–2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
• Pink gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

1. Beat butter until creamy.
2. Add powdered sugar gradually.
3. Mix in crushed freeze-dried strawberries or jam, vanilla, and cream.
4. Beat until fluffy. Add pink coloring if desired.

🧁 Assembly & Decoration – Tutu/Ballerina Style

Decoration Ideas:

• Frost cake smoothly with pink or white buttercream.
• Use a ruffle piping tip (Wilton 104 or 125) to pipe buttercream ruffles around the sides to mimic a tutu.
• Add sugar pearls, edible glitter, or pink sprinkles.
• Insert a ballerina topper (plastic or fondant figure in a tutu).
• For 3D flair, wrap a real tulle tutu around the cake base or place over a decorated stand.

Topper Idea:
Create a ballerina silhouette out of black fondant or cardstock and add a pink fondant or tulle skirt!

🧊 Storage:

• Refrigerate for up to 4–5 days.
• Bring to room temperature before serving.
• Layers can be made ahead and frozen for easy assembly.

💡 Optional Flavor Variations:

• White chocolate raspberry layers with rose buttercream
• Vanilla almond cake with strawberry mousse filling
• Lemon cake with blueberry or raspberry cream