# Components:
→ Cake
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 3/4 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 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
10 - 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 1/4 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
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans 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 granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until well combined.
05 - Alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
06 - Distribute batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
07 - Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.
08 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar while beating continuously. Add vanilla extract and milk, then beat until smooth and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
09 - Divide buttercream into 4 or 5 separate bowls. Tint each portion with gel food coloring to create navy blue, teal, purple, turquoise shades, and leave one portion white.
10 - Place random dollops of each colored buttercream onto the cake in a crumb coat if desired. Use an offset spatula to swirl the colors together, creating a marbled galaxy effect.
11 - Decorate the frosted cake with edible glitter or white sprinkles to achieve a starry appearance.
12 - Refrigerate the completed cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing to ensure clean, defined layers.
