Cake:
- 2 box(es) White Cake Mix
- 4 drops Food Coloring (Use As Much As Needed To Attain Desired Color
Frosting:
- 4 packages Cream Cheese (8 Oz. Package)
- 1 cup Butter
- 5 cups To 6 Cups Powder Sugar (confectioners Sugar)
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
I use Ateco food coloring, which can be found at www.atecousa.net
For the cake, make one box cake mix according to the directions on
the box. Separate batter into 3 bowls with roughly about 1 cup of cake
mix per bowl. Add desired food coloring to each bowl (purple, blue,
green).
Bake cakes in round pans according to box instructions, but make
sure you check the cake about 10 minutes before it’s supposed to be
done. With less mix in each pan, they can cook faster.
Repeat for the remaining colors (red, orange, yellow). You will now have six layers of different colors.
For the frosting, mix together softened (room temperature) butter
and softened (room temperature) cream cheese until well combined. Add
vanilla. Combine. Slowly add in powder sugar.
(After the 5th cup of powdered sugar, taste the frosting and see if
you would like it sweeter. I tend to use the full 6 cups, but some
prefer the frosting less sweet.)
Cake assembly:
I try to first level each layer of cake with a large bread knife.
For the rainbow cake especially, if all the layers are level, then they
will evenly display when you cut into it.
Start with the PURPLE layer first. Put the purple layer on your cake
stand or plate. Add enough frosting to cover the layer and some to
spill over the edges, anywhere from 1/2 to one cup of frosting. Run the
flat, straight side of a knife around the cake to smooth out the edges.
Add the BLUE layer of the cake. Put frosting in the middle, start
spreading out frosting with the flat, straight side of a knife so that
it covers the cake and falls out over the edges. Then run your knife
around the outside edge of the cake to smooth out the sides.
Put the cake into the fridge for at least 2 hours or freeze for 1 hour.
Repeat with GREEN layer, then YELLOW layer.
Put cake into fridge for at least 2 hours or freeze for 1 hour.
Repeat with ORANGE layer, then RED layer.
Cover cake with frosting and run the flat, straight edge of a knife around the edges of the cake to smooth out the frosting.
(It was important for me to freeze the cake between layers for a
couple reasons. The cake can get really heavy by the time you are
adding the 4th, 5th, and 6th layers, but if it is somewhat frozen at
this point, it will not get schmooshed or crushed. Also, it is much
easier to frost the cake when it is solid, or not wobbling all over.)
Once you have finished frosting the cake, add any decorative touches or words that fit your occasion! Good luck!
(I set the skill level as difficult, but ONLY because of the time
involved. Truly, anyone can do this, and do it well! It just takes a
little patience. The end result is SOOO worth it!
Thanks. I think this is colorful recipe. But where is the picture of Rainbow Cake in your blog. I am not sure but I will make it as soon.
You’re MY Inspiration!
http://forwhatitsworth-ornot.blogspot.com/2010/08/somewhere-over-rainbow.html
I”m going to do your “Mother’s Day Garden Party” cake. So is it okay to try to make a basic sponge cake with the fruits and food coloring?
I just wanted to say thanks for sharing this uber-helpful tutorial! The cake was the highlight of my daughter’s rainbow party. You should have heard the ooohs and ahhhhhs (and even a gasp or two) as I cut into the cake! Thanks for sharing!!
It is awesome idea of making rainbow cake.It looks so different and colourful.I likes this ideas of cake.
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I finally made this and it was a huge hit! I put Elmo on the outside, but told everyone the cute part was on the inside. It evoked a true WOW moment with the guests. Here’s a pic http://tinyurl.com/42g9erf
I’m going to make this cake again for the second time! I made it 2 years ago for Emma’s birthday and my friends daughter who turns 12 tomorrow requested that I make it for her birthday party! The first cake I’ve ever made for someone outside of my immediate family! I’m pretty excited. I’ll be a baking fool tomorrow morning! Make the cakes and then freeze them and stack and ice by 5:00 tomorrow! I was going to make them tonight and freeze them over night, but figure I have time tomorrow so I’m going to relax tonight! I’ll make sure to take pictures when we cut into it tomorrow!
Made this today and thanks for the hints and tips – used four layers of pink with cream cheese icing as a a christening/birthday cake! Hope it tastes as good as it looks!
Where did you get the cake candles with the little stars, etc. So Cute!!!
Could you please, let me know which tools did you use to do your rosettes? Wilton? what’s the number of your tip?
Thank you, and your rainbow cake is wonderful !!!!!!!
I used an open star tip from Ateco. (My favorite brand) Any open star tip or closed star tip that is larger will work.
Thank you Amanda!!! 🙂