Imagine cutting into a cake that's not just a dessert, but a vibrant celebration of color and joy! Our Rainbow Cake with Sprinkle Buttercream isn't just another birthday cake - it's an edible masterpiece that will make jaws drop and cameras click. Whether you're celebrating a milestone birthday or just want to create a show-stopping dessert, this cake promises to transform any ordinary moment into an extraordinary memory. Prepare to embark on a baking adventure that's as fun to create as it is delicious to devour!
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 55 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- Food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
- 1 cup butter, softened (for frosting)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- Sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line six 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly into six separate bowls. Add a different food coloring to each bowl: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Mix each until color is uniform.
- Pour each colored batter into a prepared cake pan, spreading evenly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes.
- Remove cakes from pans and cool completely on wire racks.
- For buttercream, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and heavy cream, mixing until smooth and fluffy.
- Once cakes are completely cool, stack layers in rainbow order: purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red.
- Apply a crumb coat of buttercream, then refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Frost the entire cake with remaining buttercream, smoothing sides and top.
- Generously decorate with colorful sprinkles around the sides and top of the cake.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to set the frosting.
Tips
- Room Temperature Matters: Ensure all ingredients like eggs, butter, and milk are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
- Food Coloring Hack: Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors that won't alter your cake batter's consistency.
- Even Layer Secret: Use a kitchen scale to divide batter precisely for uniform cake layers.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent buttercream from melting.
- Crumb Coat Technique: The initial thin frosting layer helps seal in crumbs and creates a smoother final finish.
- Sprinkle Application: Chill the cake slightly before adding sprinkles to help them stick better.
- Make Ahead Friendly: You can bake layers a day in advance and store them wrapped in plastic at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 620kcal
Carbohydrates: 85g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 19g
Cholesterol: 160mg
