teal easter speckled cake

Bake four 6" round cakes. Set aside. 

Color your buttercream with three (to five) drops of teal icing color.
TIP: Be sure to reserve some teal buttercream for decorating the top of your cake.

Cut out the center of two layers of cake and set aside.

Spread a thin layer of icing on your cake board.

Place one un-cut layer of cake, flat side down on top and plop a big dollop of icing in the middle. Spread the icing carefully across the whole round. Once the icing is nice and flat, stack a cake that has the center cut out. Spread icing on top of the round that is not cut. Once that is nice and flat place the second cake with the center cut out on top.

Spread a thin layer of frosting around the sides and the top of the cake. Smooth the top of cake with the icing smoother and draw the peaks of the top edges of cake into the center.
TIP: It helps to use a turntable when frosting a cake. Hold a scraper flat against the side of the cake and then turn the turntable and scraper to make a nice, smooth coat of icing.

Fill the hole with the mini Easter egg candies (or candy of choice). Spread icing around the top of the cake and place your remaining layer on top to cover the hole. 

Spread a thin layer of frosting around the sides and the top of the cake as you did in Step 6.

Chill the cake in fridge for 30 minutes until buttercream is nice and firm.

Now, cover the cake evenly with buttercream using an angled spatula and then use a scraper to smooth the edges.

In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder with 1½ tablespoons of vanilla extract. Stir well until cocoa is completely dissolved and you have a thin, chocolate paint.

Cover your work area with wax paper. Lightly dip your new brush into the chocolate. Holding the brush with one hand fairly close to the cake, gently flick the bristles with your other index finger to splatter the chocolate “paint”. Move up, down and all around to completely cover the cake with spatter.
TIP: Practice first on a spare piece of wax paper so you get the result you like and remember, a little chocolate “paint” goes a long way. Dip your brush lightly. If your paintbrush becomes clogged with “paint” and is no longer splattering nicely, rinse it with water. Dry with a paper towel, then start again.