Description
This vibrant and whimsical rainbow unicorn cake features colorful layers, smooth buttercream frosting, and magical fondant decorations, perfect for birthdays or celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (rainbow) – as needed
- Buttercream frosting – homemade or store-bought
- Fondant – for unicorn horn and ears
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease 5 or 6 cake pans with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry until smooth, avoiding overmixing.
- Divide the batter into 5–6 bowls and color each with different gel food coloring.
- Pour colored batters into separate pans and bake for 25–30 minutes. Cool in pans for 15 minutes, then completely on racks.
- Level the tops of each cake layer using a serrated knife for an even stack.
- Layer the cakes with thin buttercream between each layer, then refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Apply a crumb coat (thin layer of frosting) all over the cake. Chill for 15–20 minutes.
- Frost the cake with a thick layer of white buttercream. Smooth it with a spatula.
- Create unicorn ears and horn using fondant; place on top of the cake.
- Draw or apply eyes with black fondant or edible marker.
- Pipe colorful buttercream swirls as the unicorn’s mane using piping bags and a star tip.
- Add sprinkles or edible glitter for a magical finishing touch.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake fluffy and light.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant hues without affecting batter consistency.
- Chill cake between frosting steps for better structure and ease of decorating.
- Fondant decorations can be made ahead of time and stored in a cool, dry place.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: unicorn cake, rainbow cake, birthday cake, colorful cake, kids cake, whimsical cake, buttercream cake