Silver Ombre Cake (banana & chocolate layer cake)

Silver Ombre Cake | ZoeBakes photo by Zoë François

This Silver Ombre Cake was inspired by the arrival of Tessa Huff’s new book, Icing on the Cake. I’ve always been intrigued by cakes with the gradient shades of frosting, otherwise known as ombre. In her new book, Tessa shows us how it’s done, along with ALL her tricks of the trade she used in her California bakery. I made my ombre cake for Mother’s Day and was inspired by the silver hair I have developed from raising two fantastic boys! Hahaha. I’ve earned every strand and celebrate my grey hair with tremendous pride and honor at having lived a life that was full of challenge and joy. So, the cake is a reflection of my love of being a mom and celebrating being a woman of a certain age. And, it’s just so pretty!

I had the great fortune of meeting Tessa while I was in LA last week. She is so lovely and it was a joy to meet the woman who creates the beautiful cakes. You can see a picture of us below. We were also joined by Adam and Ryan, who also have a new book, Husbands That Cook, which I’ll dive into next!

Silver Ombre Cake | ZoeBakes photo by Zoë François

The decorating is the real star on this cake and in Tessa’s book, but she provides her tried and true recipes for cakes, pies, cookies and anything else you can decorate. I used layers of my banana and devil’s food cakes, separated by a layer of a chocolate icing as the foundation. You can watch me create the ombre finish for the cake in my instagram video and recipes below. 

Silver Ombre Cake | ZoeBakes photo by Zoë François

Silver Ombre Cake

inspired by Icing on the Cake by Tessa Huff

Buttercream – make a lot, it is better to have too much, you can always freeze the leftovers.

Devil’s Food Cake – baked in 6-inch round pans (if you decide to layer with the banana cake, you will have leftover layers to freeze for another party!)

Chocolate Icing – for between the layers

Banana Cake – (you will have extra layers to freeze, if you alternate with the devil’s food)

To watch me assemble and finish the cake, watch my instagram video.

Silver Ombre Cake | ZoeBakes photo by Zoë François

I love this 12-Inch Round Charcoal Slate Lazy Susan by JK Adams, which can double as a cake turner and serving plate! They sent it to me to try and I love it. It is meant to be a lazy susan and not a cake turner, so it doesn’t spin quite as smoothly as my Ateco, but it is gorgeous and a perfect for serving the cake, that just happens to double as a turner to finish the decorating.

Silver Ombre Hair! 😉

Silver Ombre Cake | ZoeBakes

With Tessa (Style Sweet Daily), Ryan and Adam (Husbands That Cook) in Venice Beach, CA! Such a pleasure to spend time with people I have admired on instagram for so long.

Silver Ombre Cake | ZoeBakes photo by Zoë François

Thank you Tessa and Abrams Publishing for sending me your gorgeous book! Icing on the Cake

Silver Ombre Cake | ZoeBakes photo by Zoë François

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5 thoughts to “Silver Ombre Cake (banana & chocolate layer cake)”

  1. I was looking for a cake recipe for the whole family and I stumbled on this article. I read and followed the instructions carefully and I made it deliciously! Every member of my family is so happy! Thanks for this!

  2. hi,
    I’m baking a cake for my son’s first birthday and i love the colors of this cake. What color of food coloring did you use please?
    Thanks,
    Kayla

    1. Hi Kayla! What a lucky birthday boy. Zoë believes it was black food coloring and silver luster dust. Happy baking!

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