Can I make the cake layers ahead of time?

Absolutely! Bake the cake layers up to two days in advance, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and store them at room temperature or in the refrigerator. This actually helps to make them easier to frost.

What if I don't have gel food coloring?

While gel food coloring provides the most vibrant colors, you can use liquid food coloring in a pinch. Just be aware that it may slightly alter the consistency of the frosting and the colors may not be as intense.

How do I prevent the cake layers from sticking to the pans?

Greasing and flouring the cake pans thoroughly is key. You can also use baking spray with flour. Alternatively, line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper rounds for extra insurance.

Can I use store-bought frosting for this recipe?

While homemade frosting is always recommended for the best flavor and texture, you can use store-bought frosting if you're short on time. Just make sure to divide it and tint it with the gel food coloring as instructed in the recipe.

What's the best way to store the finished cake?

Store the finished cake in the refrigerator in an airtight container or under a cake dome. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.

The Threshold of Tomorrow Cake

Name: The Threshold of Tomorrow Cake
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Graduation
Ingredients: 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened); 2 cups Granulated Sugar; 4 Large Eggs; 1 tsp Vanilla Extract; 1/2 tsp Almond Extract; 3 cups All-Purpose Flour; 3 tsp Baking Powder; 1/2 tsp Salt; 1 cup Milk; 6 cups Powdered Sugar; 1/2 cup Heavy Cream; As needed Gel Food Coloring (blue, purple, black); As needed Edible Glitter

📖 Instructions

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is *crucial* for even baking.
Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans. Don't skip the flouring step unless you want a sticky situation!
In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter, softened, and 2 cups of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. I mean really fluffy, like clouds.
Beat in 4 large eggs, one at a time, then stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract. Because you know, almond extract adds a certain je ne sais quoi.
In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 3 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed, no one wants a salty bite of cake!
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with 1 cup of milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Don't overmix! We're aiming for a tender crumb, not a tough one.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. I eyeball it, but you can use a kitchen scale for precision if you are a pro.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience, young padawan!
Now, for the galaxy frosting, in a large mixing bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) of unsalted butter, softened, until smooth and creamy. This is the base of our universe, so make it good.
Gradually add 6 cups of powdered sugar, beating on low speed until combined. Then, increase the speed to medium and beat for 2-3 minutes, until fluffy. Fluffy is key!
Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. This makes the frosting extra luscious.
Divide the frosting into four bowls. Leave one bowl white (or a very light shade).
In the remaining three bowls, tint the frosting with gel food coloring to achieve different shades of blue, purple, and black. Start with a small amount of coloring and add more until you reach your desired hues. Remember, less is more!
Now, the fun part: Assemble the cake. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Frost the top with a thin layer of white frosting to secure the other frostings.
Using an offset spatula or spoon, dollop spoonfuls of the different colored frostings onto the cake, creating a marbled effect. I just kinda slap it on there randomly until it looks good
Repeat with the remaining cake layers, stacking and frosting as you go. Don't worry about being perfect; the messier, the better!
For the final layer of frosting, use a palette knife or spatula to swirl the colors together, creating a galaxy-like effect. Think Van Gogh but with frosting.
Sprinkle edible glitter over the frosting to mimic stars. Because every galaxy needs stars, of course.
Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set before serving. This helps keep everything from sliding all over the place.
Slice and serve this masterpiece, and prepare to transport your taste buds to another dimension! I would suggest having some milk or icecream with this.