Brighten up any celebration with this stunning Rainbow Layer Cake! With its vibrant, multi-colored layers and a luscious buttercream frosting, this cake is not just a feast for the eyes but also a delight for the taste buds. Perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or just because, this cake is sure to impress and bring a smile to everyone’s face. Let’s get started on creating this colorful masterpiece!
Ingredients
For the Cake Layers:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature
- Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple gel food coloring
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pink food coloring (optional)
For Garnish:
- Rainbow sprinkles
- Additional buttercream for piping
Instructions
Prepare the Cake Layers
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line six 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. If you don’t have six pans, bake the layers in batches.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, and mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly into six bowls. Add a different gel food coloring to each bowl, stirring until the color is uniform.
- Pour each colored batter into the prepared cake pans, spreading it evenly. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake layers to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Buttercream Frosting
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract, and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- If desired, add a few drops of pink food coloring to tint the frosting a light pink.
Assemble the Rainbow Cake
- Place the purple cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a thin layer of buttercream frosting on top.
- Repeat with the blue, green, yellow, orange, and red layers, spreading frosting between each layer.
- Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining buttercream, smoothing it out with a spatula.
Garnish and Serve
- Decorate the top of the cake with rainbow sprinkles for a fun and festive touch.
- Use any remaining buttercream to pipe decorative swirls or borders around the cake.
- Slice and serve this cheerful Rainbow Layer Cake, and enjoy the burst of colors and flavors!
Notes
- For a more intense color, use gel food coloring instead of liquid.
- This cake can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before serving.
- To ensure even layers, weigh the batter in each bowl to divide it equally.
FAQs
Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel? Yes, but gel food coloring is more concentrated and will give you brighter, more vibrant colors with less quantity.
What if I don’t have enough cake pans? You can bake the layers in batches, letting the pans cool between uses. Just be sure to clean and re-grease them before adding more batter.
Can I freeze this cake? Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted cake layers. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before frosting and assembling.
Text Me if You Have Any Problems
If you have any questions or need assistance while making your Rainbow Layer Cake, don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m here to help you create the perfect celebration cake.
For more fun and festive cake ideas, explore our other cake recipes. You might also enjoy this external article on creative cake decorating techniques!
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