Prepare the Cake Layers

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour six mini cake pans or use a muffin tin with paper liners if you don’t have mini pans.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy using an electric mixer or whisk.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
6. Divide the Batter: Divide the batter evenly into three bowls (or more, depending on how many ombre layers you want to create).
7. Color the Batter: Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl to create different shades for your ombre effect. You can use pastel shades or bold, bright hues—whatever suits your style!
8. Layer the Batter: Spoon the batter into the mini cake pans, layering the colors in a smooth gradient. Start with the darkest shade at the bottom, then add the medium shade, and finish with the lightest on top.
9. Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Frosting

1. Beat the Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until fully incorporated.
3. Add Vanilla and Cream: Stir in the vanilla extract and heavy cream, adjusting the cream to get the desired consistency for spreading. If the frosting is too thick, add more cream; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.
4. Color the Frosting: Divide the frosting into separate bowls and color them to match the cake layers, using the same color palette for a seamless ombre effect.

Assemble the Mini Ombre Cakes

1. Frost the Cakes: Once the mini cakes are completely cooled, use an offset spatula or a piping bag to generously frost each cake with the colored frosting.
2. Layer the Colors: Start with the darkest color at the bottom and work your way up to the lightest. Smooth the frosting with the spatula, blending the layers slightly to create the ombre effect.
3. Decorate: For a finishing touch, you can pipe a decorative border or top the cakes with sprinkles, edible glitter, or fresh flowers.