How to create ombre icing

We love the ombre icing trend. It’s easy to create and makes a wonderful birthday cake.

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Step 1

Separate the butter cream into 3 bowls and tint with food colouring to create 3 different shades of the same colour.

Step 2

Place the cake on an elevated turntable. Make sure it’s chilled with a very thin layer of icing known as a crumb coat.

Step 3

Using an off-set palette knife, apply a generous amount of the palest icing to the surface of the cake. Smooth out the surface by rotating the turntable and let a small amount of icing creep over the edge. Remember to clean the palette knife by dipping in warm water and wiping clean with a tea towel.

Step 4

Using a flat palette knife, apply the darkest coloured icing to the side of the cake, taking care to only go a third of the way up. Apply a generous amount as some of this icing will be scraped off later.

Step 5

Add the final shade of icing between the pale and dark shades.

Step 6

To create the ombre effect, use the same flat palette knife (taking care to clean it between each application) and line it up with the side of the cake. Tilt the knife at a 45 degree angle and start rotating the turntable. Clean off any excess icing as you go. It’s important to not over-work the icing as it will mix too much and you will lose the three distinct shades.