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Perfect Galaxy Swirl Tie-Dye Buttercream Vanilla Cake Recipe for May the 4th Celebration

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A vibrant and moist vanilla cake layered with a silky-smooth galaxy swirl tie-dye buttercream, perfect for themed parties and Star Wars celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened (for buttercream)
  • 5 cups (600g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tbsp whole milk or heavy cream
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract (for buttercream)
  • Gel food coloring in navy blue, purple, magenta, and black
  • Optional: Edible glitter or stars for decoration

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Using your mixer on medium speed, beat the softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy—about 4-5 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating each fully before adding the next. Stir in vanilla extract at the end.
  5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk: add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk in two parts, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix gently but fully after each addition.
  6. Divide the batter evenly into two pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula. Tap gently on the counter to release air bubbles.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking.
  8. Remove from oven, let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.
  9. Prepare the buttercream: Beat softened butter on medium speed until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk and vanilla, until smooth and spreadable.
  10. Divide frosting into four small bowls and tint each with your chosen gel colors.
  11. Create the galaxy swirl: Spoon dollops of each color side by side into a large piping bag or spread in random patches on the cake using an offset spatula. Use a clean spatula to gently swirl the colors together—don’t overmix.
  12. Assemble and frost: Place one cake layer on your serving plate, spread a layer of buttercream, then top with the second cake layer. Frost the outside with the remaining swirl buttercream, smoothing as desired.
  13. Add edible glitter or star sprinkles for extra cosmic sparkle.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors and better buttercream consistency. Chill buttercream if too soft before swirling. Rotate pans during baking for even cooking. Room temperature eggs and butter improve batter texture. Avoid overmixing the swirl to prevent muddy colors.

Nutrition

Keywords: galaxy swirl cake, tie-dye buttercream, vanilla cake, May the 4th cake, Star Wars cake, colorful buttercream, themed cake, easy cake recipe

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/perfect-galaxy-swirl-tie-dye-buttercream-vanilla-cake-recipe-for-may-the-4th-celebration/