Rainbow Layer Cake Recipe
Rainbow Layer Cake: A Colorful and Fun Delight
Bring a burst of vibrant colors and joy to any celebration with this delightful Rainbow Layer Cake! Perfect for birthdays, parties, or just to brighten someone’s day, this cake is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. With layers of moist and tender cake in every color of the rainbow, it’s a show-stopping dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make. Let’s dive into the recipe and create a beautiful and delicious masterpiece!
Ingredients:
– 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 and 3/4 cups granulated sugar
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 4 large eggs, at room temperature
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 and 1/4 cups whole milk, at room temperature
– Gel food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
– 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 6 cups powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then add the vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
6. Divide the batter evenly into six bowls. Add a few drops of gel food coloring to each bowl and mix until the desired color is achieved for each layer of the rainbow.
7. Pour each colored batter into the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops.
8. Bake the cakes in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Mix in the vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
Assembling the Cake:
1. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand.
2. Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on top of the cake layer.
3. Place the next cake layer on top and frost it with more cream cheese frosting.
4. Repeat this process with the remaining cake layers, alternating the colors to create a beautiful rainbow effect.
5. Frost the entire cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting, covering the sides and top evenly.
6. Optionally, decorate the cake with rainbow sprinkles or edible glitter for an extra touch of magic.
A Spectacular and Sweet Surprise
This Rainbow Layer Cake is not only a visual delight but also a delectable treat that will bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Each layer is moist and tender, complemented perfectly by the creamy and tangy cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, graduation, or just a joyful moment, this cake is sure to be the centerpiece of any gathering. So, unleash your creativity, embrace the colors of the rainbow, and share the joy with this fabulous Rainbow Layer Cake! Happy baking and celebrating!