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Colorful Rainbow Layer Cake Recipe

Slice into pure rainbow magic! Six tender vanilla layers in brilliant colors, stacked tall with cream cheese frosting. The ultimate celebration cake that's easier than it looks. Save this for your next party! 🌈🎂
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups whole milk room temperature
  • Gel food coloring in red orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple
  • 16 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup unsalted butter for frosting softened
  • 6 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract for frosting
  • 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease six 8-inch round cake pans with butter and line the bottoms with parchment paper circles. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  5. With the mixer on low speed, alternate adding the flour mixture and milk in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix just until no streaks remain—do not overmix.
  6. Divide the batter evenly into six separate bowls (about 10-11 ounces each). Add a different gel food color to each bowl, stirring until the color is vibrant and uniform.
  7. Pour each colored batter into a prepared pan, spreading it evenly to the edges. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges just begin to pull away from the pan.
  8. Cool the layers in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely, at least 30 minutes.
  9. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating on low. Mix in the vanilla extract and heavy cream, then beat on high for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
  10. Place the first cake layer (purple or red) on your serving plate. Spread about 3/4 cup frosting evenly over the top. Repeat with remaining layers in rainbow order, ending with the top layer. Apply a thin crumb coat over the entire cake, then chill for 20 minutes. Finish with the remaining frosting, smoothing the sides and top with an offset spatula.