Are you ready for Mothers Day yet? Did you know its only seventeen days away?!?!
I would love to show you a few ways you can bake your way onto mom's "Favorite Kid" list!
Granted. I am still trying to get on my own moms 'favorite kid' list. And I only have one sister.
But anywho.
I have another cake for you. This one is easy schmeezy. I promise.
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And it is even a little good for you!
Well. As good as cake can be for you.
But it has fruit on it! And in it!
I cant help myself. My name is Amanda and I am addicted to rainbows.
Here is the top of the cake.
And here is one way you can honor mom this Mothers Day…
…make her a little 'garden party' with drinks and gifts and cake!
Come on. Would your mom not love to have a garden party dedicated to her?
To create the picture frame message, just grab any old picture at the flea market or thrift store, and paint it black with chalkboard paint. Then write anything you want!
(I chose Happy Mothers Day. I am very original.)
I just wrapped some small mason jars with paper and ribbon, then added a little sheath to the straw that says, 'love you mom'.
I sorta coordinated the cups and gifts to match the cake stand.
Not the cake.
Next time I will plan things out better. 
This cake is covered in whipped cream.
Since I have now discovered how easy it is to cover a cake with whipped cream I will be using it on every single cake I make from now until forever.
You have been warned.
And here is the inside… its a rainbow rainbow cake.
Made with actual fruit instead of just tinting the layers with food coloring*. Not that I am opposed to that. I love that. I try to do that every single time I bake a cake.
But this was not about me! I know some moms like to try and eat right and don't need massive amounts of sugar to make them feel happy. At least, I heard that once. It might be a myth. I'm having a hard time believing it.
Anyway, I printed out six different recipes so that I could make six different cakes for this one rainbow cake.
Then I realized how much work that was so I chickened out.
So, I made a double batch of white cake then added specific ingredients to each layer.
(To do a double rainbow cake I just cut each individual layer in half after baking)
Each cake was baked in a six inch round cake pan using 1 1/4 cups of the white cake batter.
I just added the following ingredients directly to the batter, combined, then poured into prepared pan.
Red- 1/2 cup pureed strawberries
Orange- Two tablespoons of freshly grated orange zest and 1 tsp. freshly squeezed orange juice
Yellow- Two tablespoons of freshly grated lemon zest
Green- 1/2 cup of diced kiwi
Blue-1/2 cup of blueberries, plus a few pureed for color
Purple- 1/2 cup of finely diced purple grapes, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon orange zest
*I added a few scant drops of food coloring just to make things a little more easily distinguishable, but for the most part its all just the color of the fruit!
I decided not to use frosting between the layers because this cake was already going to be so tall, so I just made a simple syrup and brushed that on between the layers.
For simple syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Put into a pan and bring to a boil. Stir occasionally. Once boiling, remove from heat and let cool.
This meant that the cake stayed nice and moist, and also brought out the wonderful natural flavors of the fruit.
I hope you try it… and be sure to let me know if you do!
I've got (at least) one more great Mothers Day gift idea coming… and its my favorite yet!
Cant wait to share it with you!
Kiddo just said, “WHOA…I love the cakes that she makes!” Maybe he’ll make one for me for Mother’s Day.
(He’s reading over my shoulder.)
Your set-up looks like it belongs on Ina Garten’s show. You know, where the neighbors come over for an impromptu, perfectly pulled-together party…one brings the flowers, another the wine…you just did that all my yourself! Beautiful!
Adorable: the cake, the garden party, the little cups.. everything! I’m happy that i found your blog because everytime I check it I love the new posts!
That cake looks amazing!!! Very pretty!!
Outstanding! Can I be your mom?? I promise you’ll be my favorite! LOL. I love both fruit AND cake so this one has my name written all over it. I wonder if I can talk hubby or kiddos into making it for me so I dont have to?? Hey, I can dream right??
That is a beautiful, colorful, tall cake! Will you be sending me one?
What a beautiful (ingenious) cake and a beautiful set up. Where do you find the time?! Love all the little table adornments you did as well. You are super baker, super mom, oh and super blogger/twitter buddy! If that’s your back yard I love that too:)
HOW do you do this?! I am seriously blown away more and more each time I come here. OH, and something exciting – I am finally getting your iambaker feeds in my google reader now! I used to only get your main page feeds.
Seriously, Amanda, this is gorgeous, creative, and incredible delicious-looking!
I am totally going to try this recipe! Can’t promise mine will look like yours, but hey, It’s worth a shot! I love your stuff!
wow, what a beautiful cake! you truly inspire me to do things i would have never thought i could do before. you make it look so easy! love it!
This is simply gorgeous! I love everything about it, from the fresh fruit on top, to the rainbow colored layers tinted with fresh fruit, and how TALL this cake is…you are brave! I love your garden party set up, I am sure any mother would be so happy to receive a Mother’s Day gift like this! Great job!
Amanda, I think I am in love….with the cake or you. Not sure which I love more right now. Beautiful, well done. looks delicous! How did it taste?
That is a gorgeous cake!! LOVE the idea of using fruit inside. I bet it tastes AMAZING!!
I think it might be brave and try this one.
Gorgeous, gorgeous GORGEOUS! You. Are. Amazing. Love the rainbow fruit, rainbow cake-soooo cute!
How sweet! And, that cake does look yummy!! Now I wish my mom lived close by, so I could make one for her!
Just gorgeous!
This is so beautiful and brilliant! It’s nice to see that a rainbow cake can be done without food coloring…I might be trying it sometime!
Thank you!
I would love to come home and see this on Mother’s Day!
I have been looking for a way to make a strawberry cake and you just helped me do that! My mom’s birthday is Sunday and I am making dinner for her and my dad. I just might make a strawberry cake for dessert! Thanks so much. And the cake is beautiful!
You are such a hoot! I get such a chuckle reading your posts (that is, in between oohing and aahing over the pictures!)
A.MAZ.ING.
You outdo yourself everytime you turn on your oven! I want to be you. Actually maybe I’ll just pretend.
Oh, and I think I’m getting fatter just by looking at the pictures of all your goodies( although I’m thinking you made this one special or am I wrong in thinking this one must not have any calories since its a Mother’s Day cake) Love your blog Amanda! BTW, I linked you up earlier today in my FB status.
Get OUT!!! I’ve seriously never seen anything like that rainbow cake before in my life! That thing is AMAZING. I’m not a sweets eater but I’d love me a big slice of that rainbow. I hope you made a wish on it before you cut into it
Stunning Amanda, simply stunning!!!!
What a beautiful cake, Amanda. It is absolutely stunning. I want to say that I’ll try it, but I’ve said that about so many of your things, and I’m WAY behind. I’ll just add it to the list, ok?
that looks SO FANTASTIC!!! and i love that it’s not heavily dependant on food coloring. you are a genious!
That is so awesome! I am definitely going to be trying this cake! I love fresh fruit!!!
Absolutely love it! Amazing! You are one talented woman. Can’t wait to see more of your creations.
So lovely! I really like the fact that it’s mostly colored by the fruit and isn’t super-saturated with food coloring like pretty much every other rainbow cake out there. I definitely want to attempt to make this someday. I do have a question… do you have a go-to recipe for white cake? I want to make sure that when I do make it, it’ll turn out as tasty as it is pretty.
Oh my god, that is an amazingly beautiful cake!
This is so lovely!! I love the cake, love the fruit decorations on top of the cake, love the table setting, love everything!! You are so creative and talented
This post is proof that you are my blog soul mate!
I had zero time to catch up on blogs tonight, so I quickly scrolled through my Reader (over 700 posts) and starred the ones I wanted to read tomorrow (based on the pictures!)
You show up in my Reader now (which I am not used to!) And of course I starred this one because it is GORGEOUS! I was even talking to myself as I did it! Saying how much I wanted that fruit plate for breakfast on Mother’s Day. And I had no idea it was you. But it was.
Because you are my blog soul mate.
Oh my gosh, I totally want to be invited to one of YOUR parties!!!
Beautiful and tall cake, as well as your presentation! Great job!
Seriously, this is the cutest table display ever, and the cake looks out of this world beautiful!! I am so glad I found you…I’ll be back often!!
I might try and make this cake for my moms birthday this Sunday…I’ll let you know how it turns out..I’m a little scared to try something new for a birthday..hmmm we’ll see.
Thank you for the lovely post… I want to much to share it on my blog so my friends can see your awesomeness too!
What beautiful pictures ~ any mama would be proud to have that set up on Mother’s Day!! You are so creative! I loved everything about that cake – it is just fantastic!
)
I absolutely love this cake. I have seen the other rainbow cake, but there’s something special about this one. It actually looks light and refreshing too! I really want to make it, like now…too bad I’m at work.
One question (and I apologize if I just missed this detail), did you make 6 or 12 cake layers? Wondering if you just made 6 and cut them in half, or if you actually made 12. Keep up your creativity – it rocks!
Absolutely beautiful. I want to just sit and stare at the cake layers.
That cake is amazing!!!! I love that you used fruit to tint it.
Beautiful…the cake and the whole garden party! Love flavoring the layers…ingenious!
Mmmm…never under estimate the power of a simple syrup on cake!
This looks so fresh and beautiful! You have one blessed mom! I hope you both get to have a wonderful day relaxing and celebrating!
Beautiful!! You are a genius! I think I might try out just a strawberry version of this for my aunt’s birthday on Sat! Quick question(s) – what type of whipped cream did you use – did you use store bought – did you make your own – what’s the recipe??
Gorgeous! I love that you used natural color
I’m glad you liked the segment, too!
How annoyed will you get if I just keep leaving comments that say “AMAZING” “FANTASTIC” and “STUPENDOUS” each time you put up a new post?
Seriously… you’re testing my vocabulary… I’m running out of synonyms for spectacular.
I love, love, love what you do!!!
Wow!
Beautiful!
You continue to outdo yourself, my dear Amanda!
I love all of it – it looks like such a light treat! And I adore your outdoor table with all of your extras… such talent!
I was hoping that I would have absorbed some of your talent by now but it’s not happening.
Beautiful idea! What type of frosting is used? It looks so white and fluffy…would love a recipe!
That cake is amazing!!!! I love that you used fruit to tint it.
That cake is amazing!!!! I love that you used fruit to tint it.
Hi! I am going to try it out tmr for my mum’s birthday but before that, i wanted to ask if i can just use simple syrup to replace the frosting in this recipe? http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/2009/10/rainbow-cake-recipe.html
however, i still need to wait for it put inside the fridge in before adding more layers right? 
it looks much easier
Whoa!! What a stunning cake!! I love the bits of blueberries inside! You should be the favorite for sure after making this. Goodness! I know you would be MY favorite LOL! Great job.
I’ll certainly be trying this. The question is whether or not to do it for Mother’s Day, since Mother’s Day is on my birthday this year… Do I want to make my own cake?? Hmmm… maybe I’ll see what my husband can do with this recipe! Now THAT would be something to blog about. Thanks for sharing!
Okay, you have offically outdone yourself! And, now I want to make that cake! It is so naturally beautiful and I love whip cream for frosting
If I show this to my girls, we are going to have to make it for sure. Do I? Or do I not? That is the question 
What white cake recipe did you use? (Don’t say box, lol) I want one that isn’t too sweet… any recommendations?
oh noooo Amanda!!! Now not only do I feel compelled to make the weekend birthday cake with marshmallow fondant I feel like I need to rainbow the layers as well!
What a beautiful surprise (as per your norm) inside of this cake! The colours are fantastic and I love the addition of the fruit! So much fun!
BEAUTIFUL!!! I love how tall the cake is. I LOVE all of your decorations!! I LOVE the butterfly plate it is on! I have been thinking about trying a simple syrup on my cake too to keep it moist. Now a question…what types of cake pans do you use?? I’m looking to invest in some good ones… I like that mine are not the non-stick kind (I think the non-stick makes my layers too dark… or maybe it is just my oven that my hubby won’t let me replace:) ) But I’m looking for a better quality pan….any suggestions??? You are simply amazing! I think I just might dream about this cake tonight!!
Wow, I must say, you are amazing. Loved, loved, loved everything I saw~
Espectacularrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grasias!!
That is amazing! I was just thinking of making the rainbow cake but I know some of my friends are very against food coloring. It doesn’t bother me since it’s not something I use very often but this is WAY cooler and I am sure tastier! Awesome!!
I love it! A rainbow cake. And how super you did it with fruit and not food coloring. Brilliant.
Will someone please make this for me on Mother’s Day? (says she, whining.)
this is AMAZING !
i’m so making this
This is just so cute and you are just so funny! You blogs make me giggle and brighten my day! And can I say YUM please?!
I love your blog!! So adorable!! And this cake is awesome! and like you my mom loves rainbows so guess what??? I am SO going to make this cake for her this year!! Thanks!
Ok, I am torn. I LOVE coming to your site, the confections and photos are gorgeous…I could seriously look at your work ALL day…except I can’t. I can’t because (forget tending to children and mountians of laundry)after looking at a few posts at a time, I’m overcome with jealousy (so NOT normal for me, so take this as a total compliment). I am also a bit annoyed that you are not close to me so you can make, cakes, cookies, and the like for me and mi familia.
Anyway, with a hint of envy, I wanted to tell you to keep up the fabulous, beautiful work…so enjoyable!
I always LOVE your stuff but this is truly BEAUTIFUL! I’m linking to this cake in my week in review post today! Happy Weekend!
you have some unreal talent mrs. cute stuff! I’m sure you’ll be head baker in Heaven.
A little food coloring doesn’t hurt any
Love that you incorporated some fruit into the colorful creation!
Stunning as is all of your desserts.
That is amazing!
some people want the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, but i just want the rainbow. and cake. if there’s cake, i won’t push it away. this is a gorgeous creation, amanda. i think i’ll give my mom a picture of it.
Wonderful! I love your ideas… and your photos – food bokeh always makes my knees shake.
Cheers!
Petra
Love this cake! How do you make whipped cream frosting like that?
your rainbow cake is amazing! i love rainbows…and healthy alternatives (or additives) =)
you rock! I will have to try this some day.
I really want to try that rainbow cake. I love that you used fruit instead of food dye – good for you!
thats an amazing party, can I come!!!
also would you mind if I posted this on myblog giving you full credit of course, I have just started doing party posts, let me know thanks
I am posting about this on my blog today. I think this cake is pretty fantastic. I wish someone besides me would make it for me on Mother’s Day.
Come by and check my blog out.
Larissa
Just Another Day in Paradise
Wow! I love the food look so delicious it makes my mom happy for this kind of mother’s day celebration.
vee
Hmm.. looks so yummy! Wish I can also taste it. I will try to bake a cake for my mom this mothers day. Anyway, thanks for giving me an idea. Looking forward for your next post.
-pia-
Thank you for sharing this wonderful creation!! This cake was an absolute hit with my mother-in-law!!! Mine wasnt as perfect as yours- I only had an 8′ cake pan so I had 6 layers (too thin to cut in half!) I will definately make again.
I made this cake for my mom for mothers day, she is totally obsessed with rainbows and she loved it!! I didn’t do a double rainbow but I put frosting in between the layers and I used a lemon cream cheese frosting. It was such a hit!
I just discovered your blog from University of Cookie. I’m very much enjoying it. I was so inspired by this one that I just had to try it myself. I blogged about it too. Just posted today if you’d like to see how it turned out…
http://onedayatatime-am.blogspot.com/2010/05/and-we-ate-cake.html
Thanks and look forward to seeing what you make in the future!
I made the rainbow cake from The Whisk Kid’s blog and it came out beautifully. I like that you used fruit as food coloring plus the fruit on top. I will try this for my next baking project, thanks!
It´s so pretty
I´m thinking of trying it out too – If I do I will link you back and of course give you a link to see how it came out – that is if its gonna be half as pretty as yours is
Love your blog
Hi what recepie do you use for the white cake batter?
I wanna try this one out tomorrow for my bday
I have a ton of white cake recepies but I don´t know which one to pick *lol*
hope you can give me a tip
Hi I did it I made this cake and it was so tasty
take a peak on my blog andromedaskitchen.com 
I used my own dough for it and a slightly bigger cake pan since I didn´t have any 6inch big – but it looked great and was a big surprise
love it!!
r u often luxuriating in sunshine in the garden?
These are the most popular spring flowers for spilling color over low stonewalls or beside garden steps.
Dear Amanda,
That cake is so nice! I’m planning to make that cake for my mom and I’m a kid. But will it work out if I use a rectangular baking pan?
That really looks yummy!!! Homemade cake, plus a beautiful flower arrangement on the side that would be more perfect
A reader (jen) just linked to this page because I am making a rainbow cake for my daughter’s birthday on Saturday and the recipe I was going to use is out the window! Love the layer cake with the fruit for color (and am shocked with the color?! I would have thought it would be a lot more pale)….hmmm I had finally talked myself into letting pints of food dye enter my daughter’s cake. We’ll see. Anyway, thanks!
Love the idea of this rainbow cake! I made it, and it was delicious. I loved using the fruit as the flavoring, and it really was pretty.
You can see mine here: http://bit.ly/dXizdO
I made this for my daughter’s birthday this weekend to surprise her. It was so delightful! I have to say, I was a bit worried as the batter was quite light, but the colors really intensified during baking. My layers were thin, so they baked quickly. The first two colors turned golden brown on top until I figured to bake for less time, but they were lovely on the inside when the cake was cut. The best surprise, though, is how delicious and moist it was. Just superb!
This cake is beautiful! However, I just made it per your measurements yesterday and it sure didn’t look colorful! Next time I guess I’ll have to add food coloring too;)
I followed this post from another blog…Fantastic…I’m favoriting it. Kathy
I made this cake this weekend for my daughter’s 2nd birthday. There was not a single piece left over! It took me foreveeeer to make though. Maybe it’s just me.. but it was a true labor of love. It tasted awesome!
This is so beautiful! A rainbow layer cake has been on my “list”, but frankly I was a little put off by all the food colouring… so this version would be great!
Thank you for this rainbow cake!! I was looking for a more “natural” rainbow cake for my son’s first birthday smash cake and this is it! I am wondering how do you think it will turn out if I pour the different cake batters on top of one another in layers and cook it as one cake? Will it mix together too much do you think?
This is truly inspiring! I will be making this in the future
Thank you!!
I love this! So beautiful, I can’t wait to try it! Love your creativity.
Thank you!!! I’ve been seeing all the awesome rainbow cakes on pinterest and happened on yours. I’ve been trying reallly hard to not use/consume food coloring (when possible) for my littles. This is the most awesome cake and I might just bake it for st.patricks day… Thanks so much!
You inspired me to make a cake this past weekend and it turned out great! http://www.desireesdaydreams.com/2012/03/addicted-to-cake.html
Small question though, the simple syrup didn’t keep the layers together – what did I do wrong? When we cut the cake the layers fell apart into little cake triangles. How did you keep yours together??
Oh no! I am so sorry to hear that! If I use simple syrup I make sure I either freeze the cake immediately after or chill it until ready to serve. When the cake thaws this is when the binding power of the simple syrup starts to lose its strength. Of course, you can always add a SUPER thin layer of frosting instead of the simple syrup… that wont add to much height and yet will give you more stability. Blessings!
omgeeeee. why are you so cute!!? I love this cake. It is perfect for mothers day, and my four year old *squeeled* when I showed it to her.
I’d been seeing all the pretty rainbow cakes out there and though they looked fabulous, and I’m sure they tasted great too, I admit to feeling a letdown that it was always due to food coloring. I kept thinking it would be more interesting and delicious if the different layers of the rainbow had their own flavors. So I was very happy to run across your post here and even happier at how easy all the steps are. Thanks for sharing!
WOAHHHHH! This looks AMAZING! What a great idea! Definitely wanna try this one!