Rainbow Vertical Cake Recipes

RAINBOW CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 (8-inch) round cake pans or spray with baking spray. Set aside.
• Combine flour, baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt in bowl; set aside.
• Beat sugar and 1 cup butter in another bowl at medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add 1 tablespoon vanilla; mix well. Add flour mixture alternately with milk, beating at low speed after each addition, just until mixed.
• Divide batter evenly among 6 bowls with about 3/4 cup each. Tint cake batters red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. Spread red and orange batter into prepared pans. Bake 8-10 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool 3 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely. Meanwhile, wash pans; grease and flour pans. Repeat with remaining colors until all cake layers are baked.
• Beat 2 cups butter in medium bowl at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt alternatley with whipping cream and 1 tablespoon vanilla, beating at low speed until well incorporated. Beat at medium speed until smooth and creamy. Remove 2 cups frosting; set aside. Divide remaining frosting evenly among 6 bowls with about 1/3 cup each. Tint frostings red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. Set aside.
• Place purple cake layer onto serving plate, bottom-side up. Frost top with 1/4 cup white frosting. Place blue cake layer over frosting; frost with 1/4 cup white frosting. Continuing adding green, yellow, orange and red layers in that order, frosting with 1/4 cup white frosting between each layer. Frost outside of cake with remaining white frosting. This layer of frosting will be thin and cake will be visible through frosting. Once frosted, refrigerate cake 30 minutes. (This is called a crumb coat and will prevent crumbs from interfering when piping rosettes.)
• Place each tinted frosting into individual resealable plastic food bag; push frosting to one corner. Cut off 1/2 inch from tip of corner. Place 18-inch-long piece of plastic food wrap onto counter surface. Pipe each color onto plastic wrap to form wide 12-inch horizontal lines (using all of frosting) that are touching.
• Gently roll frosting lines into one large log using plastic wrap. Snip tip off one end of plastic wrap. Place cut-side down into piping bag fitted with size 1M open-star tip. Pipe rainbow rosettes onto cake beginning with middle of top of cake and working out and down sides so the most vibrant colors are on top of cake.

RAINBOW CAKE

Steps:

• NOTE: It is SUPER IMPORTANT that all the room temperature ingredients listed above are room temperature and measured by weight so that the ingredients mix and incorporate correctly. Heat oven to 335º F/168º C
• Prepare six ( 8"x2") cake pans with cake goop and place a round piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the pan for easy removal of the cake
• Combine 8 oz of the buttermilk and the oil together and set aside.
• Combine the remaining buttermilk, egg whites, and vanilla together, whisk to break up the eggs and set aside.
• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Mix 10 seconds to combine.
• Add your softened butter to the dry ingredients and mix on low until mixture resembles coarse sand (about 30 seconds).
• Add in your milk/oil mixture and let mix until dry ingredients are moistened and then bump up to med (setting 4 on my KitchenAid) and let mix for 2 full minutes to develop the cake's structure. If you don't let your cake mix on this step your cake could collapse.
• Scrape your bowl and then reduce speed to low. Add in your egg white/milk mixture in three batches, letting the batter mix for 15 seconds between additions. Scrape down the sides again to make sure everything has incorporated.
• Divide your batter into 6 bowls. Weigh 15 ounces of batter for each bowl.
• Color each bowl with your Electric food colors. 1/2 tsp for pink for the pink layer, 1/4 tsp yellow plus 1/4 tsp orange for orange layer, 1/2 tsp yellow for yellow layer, 1/4 tsp yellow plus 1/2 tsp green for green layer, 1/2 tsp blue for blue layer, 1/4 tsp pink and 1/2 tsp purple for the purple layer.
• Bake your layers for 20-24 minutes or until the edges JUST start pulling away from the cake pan. Do not under-bake or the middle of the cake will collapse.
• IMMEDIATELY TAP PAN FIRMLY on countertop once to release the steam from the cake. This stops the cake from shrinking.
• Let cakes cool for 10 minutes inside the pan before flipping them out. The cake will shrink a bit and that is normal. Freeze your cake layers 30-60 minutes before trimming your cakes. Frost and fill with buttercream frosting.
• After your buttercream is smooth, place the cake back into the fridge for 15 minutes before you apply your drip.
• Wait for your drip to set before painting with gold paint. Finish the cake with buttercream rosettes and more sprinkles.

EASY RAINBOW CAKE...FROM SCRATCH!

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 F.
• Generously grease and flour 6 (9-inch cake pans.) I only had 3 pans so I had to bake in two rounds.
• In a large bowl cream together sugar and butter.
• Mix in eggs until thoroughly incorporated.
• Mix in vanilla extract, buttermilk and heavy cream.
• Mix in half of the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• When mixture is combined, mix in the rest of the flour.
• Divide the batter into six bowls (about 1 cup of batter per bowl)
• Add food coloring to each bowl to create a vibrant red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. (see note on how to make colors)
• Pour each colored batter into the prepared pans and spread out into an even layer. (layers will be thin)
• Bake for 10-15 minutes or until center is set. Do not overbake. Keep a close eye on them as some ovens run hotter and these are thin layers.
• Remove from oven and let cakes cool in the pan until pans are warm enough to touch.
• Run a spatula around the edges of the pans to loosen the cake and then very carefully remove the cakes from the pans.
• Place on a cooling rack and cool completely.
• Meanwhile make the cream cheese frosting by creaming together cream cheese and butter.
• Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla.
• Place the violet layer down first and frost. Followed by the blue layer, green layer, yellow layer, orange layer and finally the red layer. (frost between each layer)
• Place a thin coat of the icing on the cake to create a crumb coat. This will make the cake even all around and seal any loose crumbs.
• Once the crumb coat is set, finish frosting the cake.
• Slice & serve!
• (To create more defined layers of frosting between the colors, place the frosted cake in the fridge to allow the cream cheese frosting to firm up before slicing)

EPIC RAINBOW CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray two 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray.
• Combine cake mix, egg whites, water, and applesauce in a large bowl using an electric mixer. Divide batter evenly into 6 bowls. Mix a different food coloring gel into each bowl. Pour the red batter and orange batter separately into the prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let rest on a cooling rack in the pans for 15 minutes. Flip quickly onto the rack and remove cakes from the pans. Continue the baking and cooling process with remaining batter until all layers are cooled.
• Shave off the tops of the cakes carefully using a large knife so they will be flat. Place the red layer down, frost the top lightly; continue with orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
• Frost the top and outside of the cake. Cut through using a big, sharp knife and serve.

EASY RAINBOW CAKE - 7 LAYERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F / 165°C / Gas Mark 3
• Grease and line your baking pans or baking foils with parchment paper. I used 7 x 6-inch baking foils because I did not have so many baking pansPro tip - this batter is able to stay out, while you bake a few at a time. But, perhaps in three batches no more.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.Pro tip - room temperature butter will cream better and we want to add some air into our batter so make sure you cream until light and fluffy
• Next, add eggs one at a time making sure each is properly incorporated. Followed by the vanilla extract. Pro tip - if the eggs are cold the batter can split. Adding a tablespoon of flour will help bring it back together.
• Next, add the flour mixture and buttermilk in three additions. Make sure you have no lumps. Scrape the bottom of the bowl well. Pro tip - Do not overmix once you add the flour as we do not want to activate the gluten in the flour.
• Divide batter between six or seven bowls. I use similar bowls and a measuring cup.Pro tip - you can use a kitchen scale to ensure equal portions, that way you will get similar height in your layers.
• Add the six or seven edible food colors straight out of the bottle - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet to each bowl and combine well.Pro tip - For the color indigo, you will need to play with blue and red until you find the shade you are looking for. I find a ratio of 1 drop blue and two drops of red is a good ratio.
• Pour the batter into the prepared baking pans. Use an offset spatula to spread the batter evenly. Tap to remove any air pockets. Pro tip - this cake bakes flat so make sure to spread evenly in the pan.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes each or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Pro tip - depending on how many layers you make and how airy the batter is it will take between 12 to 15 minutes. I suggest you start checking at 12 minutes
• Once baked remove from the pan immediately, then cool them completely on a cooling rack. Always decorate cakes when they are completely cold. Pro tip - warm cakes will melt the frosting. I prefer to bake my cakes at least 6 to 8 hours prior to decorating. Chilling the cake for an hour will make it easier to handle.
• See the video - how I make Swiss meringue buttercream
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, place the egg whites and sugar and place it over a pot of simmering water - this is called a double boiler.Pro tip - the top bowl must not touch the simmering water in the bottom pot or the eggs will cook.
• Using the whisk whip until all the sugar has dissolved and the egg whites are barely warm (about 160 F)
• Take the bowl off the heat and place it on the stand mixer. Whip the egg whites until you have a thick meringue with stiff peaks.
• Let the mixer continue to whip on low until the mixer bowl feels cool to touch.Pro tip - it is VERY important that the meringue is cool if not the butter will melt.
• Gradually add the butter one cube at a time with the mixer on medium speed. Once all the butter has been added turn the mixer up to medium-high and whip for 2 minutes.Pro tip - chilled butter will cause the meringue to curdle so make sure the butter is room temperature.
• Finally, add the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined and you have a smooth buttercream. Set aside until ready to use.
• If you want to decorate this cake as I have, watch my tutorial above - rainbow drip cake.
• Prepare simple syrup - cool completely before using.Pro tip- Simple syrup is just sugar water that has been boiled and cooled. Used to keep cake layers moist.
• Using a bread knife or cake leveler cut the domes off the cake layers. Brush each layer with the cooled simple syrup
• Place a cake layer on the cake board or cake stand.
• Top with a big dollop of buttercream - spread evenly using a straight-edge spatula.
• Place the cake in the fridge to chill for 10 to 15 minutes.Pro tip - Chilling the cake at this point will ensure the layers don't move when you frost the outside. Though, if you leave the cake uncovered in the fridge for too long it can dry out. So, 10 minutes is all you need.
• Spread the remaining buttercream around and on top of the cake.Pro tip - A straight-edge spatula for the top, an off-set spatula, and a bench scraper for the sides work better.
• Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler. Add the oil if necessary and bring to pouring consistencyPro tip - depending on the chocolate you may or may not need all the oil. For example, chocolate chips are thicker than chocolate bars
• Color the melted chocolate into your choice of colors and pour it over the cake as shown in the video. Pro tip - I start with the edges using a spoon or piping bag directing the drip the way I want it. Then I pour the remaining on top and spread it towards the edges
• Let the chocolate rest until it's dry but hard. Top with your choice of candy and wafer.
• Enjoy!

RAINBOW LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter 2 x 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment. Tip all the sponge ingredients, apart from the food colouring, into a mixing bowl, then beat with an electric whisk until smooth.
• Working quickly, weigh the mixture into another bowl to work out the total weight, then weigh exactly half the mixture back into the mixing bowl. Pick two of your colours and stir a little into each mix. Keep going until you are happy with the colour - the colour of the batter now will be very similar to the finished cake, so be brave! Scrape the different batters into the tins, trying to spread and smooth as much as possible - but try not to waste a drop of the batter - a rubber spatula will help you. Bake on the same oven shelf for 15-20 mins until a skewer poked into the middle comes out clean. Don't worry if that sponges are thin, there are many layers.
• Gently turn the cakes out onto a wire rack to cool. Wash the tins and bowls thoroughly, and start again from step 1 - this time using another two colours. Unless you're making the optional pink layer, repeat one more time to get 6 sponges, all of different colours. Leave them all to cool.
• To make the icing, very briefly beat the vanilla and soft cheese or mascarpone with an electric whisk until smooth. Sift in the icing sugar and gently fold in with a spatula. Be careful - the more you work it, the runnier it will get, increasing the chance of splitting.
• Smear a little icing on your cake stand or plate - just a splodge to stick the first sponge. Start with the red, then spread with some icing right to the very edge. Repeat, sandwiching on top the orange, yellow, green, blue and finally purple sponges. Spread the remaining icing thickly all over the sides and top of the cake. For more expert advice on how to create the perfect rainbow cake, check out our tips, below.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter 2 x 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment. Tip all the sponge ingredients, apart from the food colouring, into a mixing bowl, then beat with an electric whisk until smooth.
• Working quickly, weigh the mixture into another bowl to work out the total weight, then weigh exactly half the mixture back into the mixing bowl. Pick two of your colours and stir a little into each mix. Keep going until you are happy with the colour - the colour of the batter now will be very similar to the finished cake, so be brave! Scrape the different batters into the tins, trying to spread and smooth as much as possible - but try not to waste a drop of the batter - a rubber spatula will help you. Bake on the same oven shelf for 15-20 mins until a skewer poked into the middle comes out clean. Don't worry if that sponges are thin, there are many layers.
• Gently turn the cakes out onto a wire rack to cool. Wash the tins and bowls thoroughly, and start again from step 1 - this time using another two colours. Unless you're making the optional pink layer, repeat one more time to get 6 sponges, all of different colours. Leave them all to cool.
• To make the icing, very briefly beat the vanilla and soft cheese or mascarpone with an electric whisk until smooth. Sift in the icing sugar and gently fold in with a spatula. Be careful - the more you work it, the runnier it will get, increasing the chance of splitting.
• Smear a little icing on your cake stand or plate - just a splodge to stick the first sponge. Start with the red, then spread with some icing right to the very edge. Repeat, sandwiching on top the orange, yellow, green, blue and finally purple sponges. Spread the remaining icing thickly all over the sides and top of the cake. For more expert advice on how to create the perfect rainbow cake, check out our tips, below.

RAINBOW VERTICAL CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Arrange an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 18-by-13-inch half-sheet pans with baking spray and line with parchment. Coat with baking spray and dust with flour, knocking out any extra.
• Whip the egg yolks with 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl using an electric mixer on medium-high speed until thick ribbons form, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and rinse and dry the bowl. Add the egg whites and salt and whip on medium high speed until foamy, about 1 minute. With the machine still going slowly add the sugar and beat until glossy stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Using a large spatula fold the egg whites in to the yolks until well combined. Add a quarter of the flour and fold it until combined. Repeat 3 more times until all the flour is added.
• Divide the batter evenly between the 2 prepared pans. Bake until lightly springy when touched, about 12 minutes.
• Dust 2 clean large kitchen towels with the confectioners' sugar and flip the cakes out onto the towels with the short sides facing you. Working with 1 cake at a time, remove the parchment and roll up each cake starting from the short end. Set aside to cool.
• For the frosting: Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a saucepan that can hold the heatproof bowl of a stand mixer above the water.
• Add the granulated sugar, lemon juice, salt and egg whites to the stand mixer bowl and whisk together by hand. Set the bowl above the boiling water and whisk until the mixture is warm to the touch and the sugar is completely dissolved. Transfer to the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat at medium-high speed until cool and the whites hold stiff peaks, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Continue to beat, tossing in the butter a couple of chunks at a time, making sure the pieces are incorporated before adding more. After all the butter is incorporated continue whisking on medium-high speed. The mixture will deflate and appear curdled. Continue whisking until the buttercream comes back together with a smooth and spreadable consistency, about 5 minutes. Slowly drizzle in the vanilla while beating until smooth and light, about 5 minutes more. (If the frosting is very soft or begins to break, refrigerate until set but still spreadable and then beat until light before using.)
• Transfer 3/4 cup of the frosting to six small bowls. Color them red, orange,, yellow, green, blue and purple and transfer them to piping bags and set aside. Cover the remaining white frosting and set aside.
• To assemble: Unroll the cooled cake layers so they lay flat. Transfer the cakes to a cutting board using a serrated knife to divide each cake in half lengthwise, creating 2 long strips of cake (4 total). Starting ¼-inch from the top of each piece of cake pipe an even line of red frosting lengthwise on each piece. Repeat with the remaining colors.
• Take one strip of frosted cake and roll it into a tight jelly roll. Add another strip of cake, matching the ends and coiling it around the center roll as you would a cinnamon roll; repeat with the remaining cake strips, trimming the ends to fit as necessary. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Trim the ends of the cake so they are flat and transfer to a cake board or platter, standing the cake up on one end and securing it to the surface with a dollop of the reserved white frosting.
• Spread a thin layer of the white frosting over the top and sides of the cake for a crumb coat. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set the coat.
• Frost the cake with the remaining white frosting, using an offset spatula to create swirls if desired. Decorate the top edge of the cake with sprinkles as desired.