Description
Colorful layers of Rainbow Explosion Cake bring pure joy to dessert tables everywhere. Whimsical frosting and playful sprinkles create a delightful celebration that will enchant guests and spark smiles at any party.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 5 large eggs
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Coloring Ingredients:
- Food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
Instructions
- Craft the cake base by heating the oven to 350F (175C). Meticulously coat three 8-inch round cake pans with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
- Whisk together dry ingredients in a medium bowl, creating a uniform flour mixture with baking powder and salt.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough blending after each addition.
- Gently fold vanilla extract into the butter mixture, creating a fragrant base.
- Alternately add flour mixture and dairy ingredients, maintaining a smooth batter texture. Mix until components are just integrated.
- Separate batter into six distinct bowls, applying vibrant food colorings to achieve a full rainbow spectrum.
- Strategically layer colored batters into prepared pans, creating a mesmerizing rainbow pattern.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the cake’s center.
- Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Prepare buttercream by whipping softened butter until creamy and smooth.
- Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, blending until achieving a silky consistency.
- Introduce heavy cream and vanilla extract, beating until frosting becomes light and fluffy.
- Divide frosting into separate bowls, tinting each with corresponding rainbow colors.
- Once cakes are entirely cooled, apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Finish with a final, elegant frosting layer using smooth or textured techniques.
- Embellish with vibrant sprinkles, shimmering edible glitter, or playful rainbow candies to amplify the explosive visual effect.
Notes
- Always use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and a consistent cake texture.
- Carefully separate batter into equal portions before adding food coloring to maintain consistent color intensity across layers.
- Sift dry ingredients to prevent lumps and create a lighter, more delicate cake crumb.
- Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for more vibrant colors without altering the batter’s consistency.
- Test cake doneness by gently pressing the center – it should spring back and not leave an indentation.
- Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent buttercream from melting or sliding.
- Create a stable frosting by chilling buttercream briefly if it becomes too soft during decoration.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend or almond flour.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 405 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg