Back in 2010, I made a green ombre cake (although I called it a graduated layer cake because I didn’t know the word ‘ombre’ existed and it was before the trend started). I happen to think this version is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or for anyone who loves the color green!

Ombre Cake

Ombre Cake

Wouldn’t you know, it’s one of my post popular posts to this day.  So today I am offering up a new and improved model.  The same general idea, but slightly better photography.

I also switched things up and used McCormick Green Food Coloring.

Ombre Layer Cake

How to Make a Green Ombre Cake

I made one white cake recipe (you can certainly use a box mix here!) and divided it into six bowls.

The first bowl I left plain, the second I used 2-3 drops, the third was 4-5 drops, the fourth was 1/4 teaspoon, the fifth was 1/2 teaspoon, and the sixth was about 1 teaspoon. (I just poured out the rest of the bottle.)  However, McCormick has this amazing Green Tinting Guide that is the perfect way to know exactly what colors you are making!

McCormick Green Tinting Guide

I love this great chart!  You really can’t go wrong when it’s laid out so simply and beautifully.

How to Make an Ombre Cake

 

It should look roughly like this after you have added food coloring and thoroughly mixed the coloring into the cake batter.

I then poured the batter into prepared 6-inch round cake pans.  I only have three, so I baked the cakes three at a time for about 18 minutes at 350°F.  Be sure to start checking your cakes at 15 minutes and remove when an inserted toothpick is removed mostly clean.

Naked Ombre Cake

 

After the cakes have cooked and cooled, I stack them on my cake stand.  Start with the darkest layer, and cover it in about 1/4 cup of white frosting. (This buttercream recipe works well because it is so white)

Place the next darkest layer on top and add more frosting.  Repeat until you have stacked every layer and be sure to end with the white layer on top.

Cover the cake in a crumb coat of buttercream, chill for about 30 minutes in the fridge, and then cover in a final smooth coat of buttercream.

Ombre Cake with Sprinkles

 

For the outside decoration, I pressed three different color green sprinkles into the upper edge of the cake.  I tried to get the darkest color at the very edge, then the medium green in the middle, then a lightest green trickling down a bit.

A nod to the ombre interior.

Ombre Cake Recipe

PRO TIP:

Do you ever want to get really clean cuts when presenting a cake?  Here is my trick.

VERY chilled cake.  VERY hot knife.

I will freeze my cake for at least 2 hours before serving.  I will then place a very sharp knife into a glass of boiling water.  Remove the knife, wipe dry and make your first cut, then dip back into the boiling water to clean and re-heat.

Green Ombre Cake

When the cake is kept chilled it also decreases the chances of color bleeding.

Don’t you love fun tips that make our lives easier???

Green Ombre Layer Cake

This cake is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.  Wouldn’t it be fun covered in rainbow sprinkles??

It was an absolute delight to create this Green Ombre Cake with McCormick. Thank you so, so much for supporting the brands that support this blog. I only work with the best, and am thankful that McCormick is willing to partner with me! <3

 

Green Ombre Cake!

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Meet Amanda Rettke

Amanda Rettke is the creator of I Am Baker, and the bestselling author of Surprise Inside Cakes: Amazing Cakes for Every Occasion – With a Little Something Extra Inside.Over the course of her 15+ year blogging adventure, she has been featured in and collaborated with the Food Network, New York Times, LA Times, Country Living Magazine, People Magazine, Epicurious, Brides, Romantic Homes, life:beautiful, Publishers Weekly, The Daily Mail, Star Tribune, The Globe and Mail, DailyCandy, YumSugar, The Knot, The Kitchn, and Parade, to name a few.

Reader Comments

  1. This cake is such a stunner Amanda! I love how the outside is really simple – so you can focus on the awesome inside!!

  2. This is beautiful Amanda! How do you get your cake layers to turn out so even? How much of the batter did you measure into each of the 6 bowls? Thanks!

  3. I always enjoy looking through your neat tricks 🙂 They teach me a ton! Lovely as always. Best wishes!

  4. Amanda, this cake is a show stopper. Seriously, it’s gorgeous. I made one ombre cake in the past. They’re fun and vibrant. You make it look so easy. Pinned!

  5. How do you keep your layers from sliding when it’s this tall? If I don’t use skewers, mine slip and slide all over the place. 🙁 Adorable cake!

    1. Thanks! I have used skewers once in all my years of baking. I think the trick is to get the layers secured with frosting (like glue) then make sure they are level. Adding more/less frosting to high/low spots can help!

  6. That might be the tallest cake I’ve ever seen and I freaking love it. Also loving the green ombre and the way you decorated the outside. Simple yet beautiful.

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