The smiley, happy, silly rainbows on this cake are totally inspired by those amazing frosting covered sugar cookies you get at the bakery. Or at least, at the grocery store bakery that I would frequent in my youth.
Those cookies were the only thing that made shopping trips tolerable for my mother when I was young. The promise of just one of those delectable cookies was enough to exhilarate my senses and make me… well… behave.
Its funny how sugar still triggers that emotional response in me today!
Anywho… here are some over the top, crazy, supposed to make your heart happy rainbows.
All of those rainbows are pure sugar highs… courtesy of my favorite buttercream recipe of all time.
Since this is a St. Patrick's Day cake I actually made hundreds of gold coins for the base of the rainbows. I just made my homemade sprinkles, only bigger. But since I made them bigger they were taking forever to dry and I got impatient.
Hence, fluffy frosting clouds.
Next year I will plan better.
I mean, I probably wont, but I can pretend.
And then, because it seems to be physically impossible for me to make a cake without a surprise inside, I decided to add a shamrock.
Seriously… I made so many impulsive choices on this cake! I dont know what I was thinking.
Like instead of a bright green jolly shamrock, mine is really, really dark. I thought it would be a fun to make Nigella's Guiness chocolate cake (beer… St. Patrick's Day… it seemed like a good idea) and then just add a little bit of green so it wouldn't be IN YOUR FACE green.
Like with this St. Patty's Day cake.
I will show you what I mean.
Its dark.
And mostly resembles a shamrock.
At least it tastes fantastic!! (white cake recipe here)
This was one TOUGH cake. I really dont think a tutorial is possible because I need a full year to forget how much work it was.
Sorta like having a baby. Which I will be doing in 17 days. (scheduled C-Section)
TMI for a baking blog???
Sorry. 
This cake makes me happy! The shamrock is incredible! And I can’t imagine how much work it was, you crazy pregnant lady! Amazing, as always. Enjoy these last days of your pregnancy…so exciting
It’s totally a shamrock! And YOU rock. We’re counting down the days with you until iambaby arrives. Hang in there!
My daughter would lose her mind over that cake. By the way, I just made that Guinness cake for my husbands birthday a few weeks back and it is so good. I’ll be making Guinness ice cream this weekend…yum!
This is the cutest cake ever! I just still can’t imagine doing the work on these cakes. You are SO talented. Would never, ever have the patience!
Honestly, you amaze me!
UNBELIEVABLE!!! you never cease to amaze me Amanda!!! just beautiful!!
a magical surprise!
17 days! Holy moly! If you do this again next year, maybe you should make red velvet cake for the shamrock, but use green dye instead. (I can’t take credit for that idea, my friend Annie did it on With Sprinkles on Top). And I totally would have just used chocolate coins for the base. It’s a beautiful cake, Amanda. When I was a kid, I drew rainbows all the time. I loved them so much. (I secretly still do!)
17 days! Holy moly! If you do this again next year, maybe you should make red velvet cake for the shamrock, but use green dye instead. (I can’t take credit for that idea, my friend Annie did it on With Sprinkles on Top). And I totally would have just used chocolate coins for the base. It’s a beautiful cake, Amanda. When I was a kid, I drew rainbows all the time. I loved them so much. (I secretly still do!)
WOW!!! Amanda you are amazing and so creative, loving you blog and gorgeous posts. Wish you a safe and healthy delivery. God bless
Sooooo adorable! I love the rainbows – so bright and happy.
very cute, i love the shamrock in the middle
wow!! its awesome!!
good luck with the c section!
Ok I have to figure out how you can ship this cake to me!! My Mom’s birthday is St. Patrick’s Day and she would love this!! Great job.
No TMI here.I’m happy for you! Great cake. I was telling a friend about your blog and said “She’s good enough, she could make a cake with shamrock in it!” Low and behold 2 DAYS LATER you go and do just that. You are simple amazing!
Wow! I can just imagine how much work it was to make that shamrock! You are one seriously talented baker
This cake is over the rainbow and beyond- awesome Amanda!! xo
You are so darn talented. The rainbows had me inspired…and then I saw that shamrock. Wow!
That is one pretty impressive cake! I cant even imagine how you did that.
LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! As much as I adore the inside, I have to say that the rainbows are my favorite part. SO bright and pretty!!
Like you
I LOVE it! SO colorful on the outside, and brilliant on the inside
Awesome job
OMG!!!! I LOVE this cake!I say this everytime but i think this is my favorite,well besides the rose cake. :O)
you rock!
this cake is awesome & truly looks like tons of work…but, a labor of love!
Beautiful cake; it’s just so full of color! Love!
Truth be told after making the heart cake myself and knowing how much work that was, I’m pretty sure you are crazy for trying this! I’m SUPER impressed!
really a super fun cake! OH 17 days looking forward to your new SWEET arrival
You astound me! This cake was awesome on the exterior and then you put that shamrock inside…I’ve read your tutorial on how you’ve done that on other cakes and I still am not brave enough to try it. Don’t ever question yourself as you did earlier about naming your blog *i am baker* You Amanda, most surely are!
Absolutely not TMI! I’ve been wondering when you were due.
What a cute, cute cake!! I’m not sure if I want to tackle the inside, but the I’m pretty sure I can try the outside. Getting colors right is my hardest challenge in decorating.
Love the cake. . .as always so creative! The shamrock is awesome! And 17 DAYS-REALLY?! Are you nervous?!!!
you HAD to have painted that shamrock on AFTER cutting the cake. but i know you didn’t. omg.
NOT TMI! You are so inspiring in every way! Thank you so much for the fun and beautiful blogs.
wow sooo neat!
This is just so awesome! And early congrats too!
WOWWWWW!!! I mean WWWOOOOWWWWW !!!
I was thinking and thinking and thinking about doing something similar and finaly gave up because I didn’t know how to make the samrocks. Your cake is great and it looks great as a samrock inside too. And the outside… Is so colourful and beautiful !!!
The only idea I had at last is to make some kind of leprechaun hat cake, inside and outside.
http://tartasconmagia.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/tarta-sombrero-de-duende-irlandes-leprechaun-hat-cake/
It is in spanish, but I think photos are enough some times.
I must thank you and thank you and THANK YOU again for your great blog and tutorials. It is because of you that I have this “puzzle cake” fever. I can’t think of another thing.
XOXO
17 days! Holy moly! If you do this again next year, maybe you should make red velvet cake for the shamrock, but use green dye instead. (I can’t take credit for that idea, my friend Annie did it on With Sprinkles on Top). And I totally would have just used chocolate coins for the base. It’s a beautiful cake, Amanda. When I was a kid, I drew rainbows all the time. I loved them so much. (I secretly still do!)
17 days! Holy moly! If you do this again next year, maybe you should make red velvet cake for the shamrock, but use green dye instead. (I can’t take credit for that idea, my friend Annie did it on With Sprinkles on Top). And I totally would have just used chocolate coins for the base. It’s a beautiful cake, Amanda. When I was a kid, I drew rainbows all the time. I loved them so much. (I secretly still do!)
17 days! Holy moly! If you do this again next year, maybe you should make red velvet cake for the shamrock, but use green dye instead. (I can’t take credit for that idea, my friend Annie did it on With Sprinkles on Top). And I totally would have just used chocolate coins for the base. It’s a beautiful cake, Amanda. When I was a kid, I drew rainbows all the time. I loved them so much. (I secretly still do!)
17 days! Holy moly! If you do this again next year, maybe you should make red velvet cake for the shamrock, but use green dye instead. (I can’t take credit for that idea, my friend Annie did it on With Sprinkles on Top). And I totally would have just used chocolate coins for the base. It’s a beautiful cake, Amanda. When I was a kid, I drew rainbows all the time. I loved them so much. (I secretly still do!)
Wow! That looks like a LOT of work – but well worth the effort!! Another great blog post Amanda : )
Absolutely amazing! It’s so beautiful, Amanda!!!
I don’t know how you come up with these things… Wow!
This cake looks amazing! I top my hat to you for making such a difficult cake when you are so close to giving birth. I remember when I was that far along and all I wanted to do was complain about how big I was!
LOVEIN that cake girlie! Totally reminds me of the rainbow shirt that I LIVED in during the early 80′s (I think it was the early 80′s).
Can’t believe you’ve only got 17 days to go! I’m SO excited for you!!
Such an awesome cake! You’re amazing! Happy soon to be baby day!
Holy Guacamole! I was already impressed and then I scrolled down. I can’t believe the Shamrock in the middle. Don’t even mention that the color is too dark, ANYONE would be completely blown away!!
AMAZING! I want to taste that! :p
Your talent and imagination astound me! Great job, again! The shamrock center is incredible, and I love the bright, cheery rainbows around the outside!
Wow, awesome work.
Absolutely impressive.
Wishing you s lovely weekend ♥
I LOVE IT. Wow!!
Amazing as usual. I so want to make this. Thanks for the inspiration.
that’s soooo cool! I need to start thinking like that! awesome!!!
Fantastic looking cake!! When will they invent taste-o-vision?!
Congrats on the upcoming baby! Mine turns 11 months next week.
Wow, that is SO cool! Gorgeous cake.
Eu adoro suas criações! simplesmente maravilhosas!
Only 17 days before baby? Oh my gosh! I am so thrilled for you! God bless you and your family Amanda. May you have a wonderful birth-day for you and your brand new baby boy. Oh, your cake is really cool too but it’s nothing compared to your pending production! Sending you love and best wishes!
That is one awesome cake! I wish you would share some tips on how to make the two cakes come together!!
You never cease to amaze us!! This cake just made me smile! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!
Geez, I still can’t quite wrap my head around this one, how on earth did you do that? You really should be an engineer, the way you construct your cakes is amazing. So exciting that the big day is almost here!
I missed this somehow and I am so sad. I wanted to be the first to see it! This is actually stunning jawdropping, and I really cannot wrap my head around how you do the cake surprises…I dont comprehend. You are just wow. I am WOWWED again. That is all.
I love your blog so much! You’re extremely skilled and I just WISH i could try this cake! The shamrock insert blows my mind!
Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing
me encanta todo lo que haces eres genial y adoro tus post
http://mary505.blogspot.com/
this cake is amazing! i have never seen anything like this! i totally by luck stumled across your blog and i am hooked! oh, and buy the way i think your rainbow pancakes are amazingly cool.
~ A
Beautiful!!! I have been thinking about you and wondering if your due date was near!!! Good luck…and get rest while you can (of course you know that already…with your other kiddos:)) We just adopted our third….he is such a little miracle…we are so in love already….I guess the exhaustion is well worth it:)
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this!!! Can’t wait to hear all about the babe too!!
No such thing as TMI!
Beautiful cake and best wished for the new baby.
Umm… wow!
It is very cool. Love it. I want to taste your cakes and cookies. I wish you lived in my city, or across the street and was one of those neighbors who would call me over when you needed someone to taste test your baking goodies. What? A girl can dream.
OMG!! This cake is absolutely stunning!! I love – absolutely love your blog!! And your techniques – they’re just superb! Im always left jaw-dropped! and drooling .. =)
xx
G
http://lookwhoswearing.blogspot.com
My friend Diane in Florida, her youngest of 5, will have his Bday on Thursday his name is Patrick Eamon (PET)- This is exactly what he needs for his St Patrick Day Bday cake !!! Too cute! Great job and congrats on the upcoming baby.
Auntie Pam of So Calif
This is gorgeous!
As if the outside of the cake wasn’t awe-inspiring enough…:)
beautiful cake! and congratulations with the baby
you are totally nuts! in the most awesome sense of course
I always anticipate each and every post of yours cos your ideas are totally off the wall!
best wishes for the arrival of the little one
Fantastic cake! Love the beautiful exterior and that shamrock carving! You are just amazing!!! If you are mad enough to do this again, how about Guiness chocolate cake with green-white cake shamrock? Only if you are seriously mad enough.
In the meantime, we look forward to the arrival of your new addition.
That shamrock in the middle is too awesome!!!! Glad I found your site today.
That shamrock in the middle is too awesome!!!! Glad I found your site today.
This cake made my morning! How fun!! You are brilliant my friend!
Gorgeous! I can’t wait to meet your newest addition, even though you’re my favorite pregnant momma right now.
YOU amaze me. I can’t even wrap my head around how you did this, Amanda!! Beautiful!
That shamrock in the middle is too awesome!!!! Glad I found your site today.
That shamrock in the middle is too awesome!!!! Glad I found your site today.
That shamrock in the middle is too awesome!!!! Glad I found your site today.
That shamrock in the middle is too awesome!!!! Glad I found your site today.
Absolutely awesome!! I’m obsessed with your blog(s), they are so much fun to read and very informative & inspiring!!! I just wanted to share some funny things we have common. My name is Aubrey (I think your daughter’s name is Audrey), I have son named Kolton (i think you also have son Colton), I’m due with my second baby in 32 days, and i’m also obsessed with rainbows!! Best of luck with your delivery!
awesome, so creative! let’s sclebrate!
This time I did a guinness hat for st Patrick’s day!
I love you and your surprise cakes! I am so excited to see pictures of your new little one.
Oh my goodness- the inside of this cake is fantastic! So creative- thanks for sharing!
YAY BABY!
Oh, and the cake is pretty too.
Wow! That is amazing. It looks so great!!
http://www.rachaelpassingnotes.com/
Amazing cake! So cheerful! I bet it was a lot of work. I can’t imagine! Congratulations on the new baby!!!
Holy cow!! I cannot believe this cake. I am just stunned at the shamrock, which totally looks like a shamrock by the way! And all this at this far along in your pregnancy? Are you joking me? I would so be on the couch eating girl scout cookies. Who am I kidding, I totally am doing that and I’m not even pregnant. Ha!
Anyway, congrats and enjoy your last days while you await your newest reason to smile!
Love this! Those rainbows are too cute, and I just knew there had to be some type of surprise inside the cake!
I’m so amazed by all of your cakes with pretty designs on the inside. This one is especially amazing!
This is such an amazing cake! I love your idea of using Nigella’s recipe, and hiding the shamrock inside. You are insanely creative, as always. Thanks for sharing with us.
17 days! can’t you wait until april 8th? it’s the birthday of someone pretty terrific, if she does say so herself.
masterful work on this one, amanda–it makes me think of the care bears for some reason.
I die. I DIE! This CAKE is beyond my DREAMS!!!!!
True story: when I was a little kid I wanted a cake with a rainbow on it REALLLLY badly. The cake I was served had a “rainbow” with random colors that were out of order. I was Very disappointed. THIS was the Cake of my Childhood dreams!!! Realized like, 24 years later!
You are so incredibly talented and your blog entries are such a gift!
Once again you’ve outdone yourself !!!
Mon dieu :O) you’re awesome.
17 days? that happened fast…hihihi…. apologies :O)… at least from my side of the screen.
I love, love, love the rainbows and clouds on this cake. It reminds me of the 3/4-length baseball shirt I had as a kid, with a glittery rainbow iron-on, and the letters of my name ironed on down my sleeve.
And I’m not going to even ask HOW IN THE WORLD you made that shamrock. Now THAT would be TMI!!!!!
Miam miam!
You’re so freakin’ amazing. I heart you.
I was actually going to attempt something like this, since when I made your heart cake for valentines day, it was a huge hit and the bf’s work! Although, with two days to go, might skip it this year and just make them a reg cake with an ices St Patty’s day theme. There’s always Easter!
You’re an amazing baker, and good luck with the C-section!
Thanks for the always inspiring posts
HOW DID YOU DO THAT?!! THIS IS AMAZING! I was first ‘wow’ed by your rainbow frosting , then I scrolled down,the inside beauty just blew me off! great job!
I can only imagine it must have taken you hours to get the shamrock just right. At least that is what I’m telling myself so I don’t feel bad knowing I would never be able to do it! lol You are one amazing lady and only 17 days ’til baby – seriously AMAZING!
this is fantastic! I came here looking for a rose cake for a birthday and I found this which is perfect for my other daughters rainbow birthday
This is just ridiculous. WHY DOESN’T MY BRAIN WORK THIS WAY?!
So, so awesome!!!
If you ever decide to, I would LOVE tutorial on how you added the shamrock!
Great job!
Congratulations on the new baby!
very impressive, we are all in awe of your talent and cannot figure out how you did it.. if you do it again.. please take photos along the way.
I wanna make this cake. No joke please email me. I LOVE challenges when it comes to baking. AngelaMarie51788@gmail.com
i tried clicking on the recipe link and it brought me to the heart cake. My sister would absolutely ADORE this cake. her and her fiancee are crazy over the whole irish thing ♥
Ok I read a bunch and I couldn’t find anywhere how you did the shamrock. How do you do that?? And someone mentioned a heart cake…how do you make the shape in the middle. I am a baker and I MUST know!!!
i want This Recipe!!!
Is there anyway that you could point me in the direction of a tutorial for this cake. My kids saw it and would love for me to make them one.
Is there any chance I can get you to tell me how to do this? I’d really love to have one of these for a party.
How the frick?! I love it! But I’m completely mindboggled. Did you just carve the white layers with a knife and do the same as the heart cake? Please explain this magic. I’m sure I will spend many more hours trying to figure out how you did this.
I would TOTALLY LOOOOVE to know how you made the shamrock in the middle of the cake it is just awesome and I. like you, Love to surprise my family with things like this!!! PLEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZ do tell thank you, have a glorious day!!!
Please do a tutorial! I need to make this! Congrats on becoming a mom though!