Cake:
- 2 box(es) White Cake Mix
- 4 drops Food Coloring (Use As Much As Needed To Attain Desired Color
Frosting:
- 4 packages Cream Cheese (8 Oz. Package)
- 1 cup Butter
- 5 cups To 6 Cups Powder Sugar (confectioners Sugar)
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
I use Ateco food coloring, which can be found at www.atecousa.net
For the cake, make one box cake mix according to the directions on the box. Separate batter into 3 bowls with roughly about 1 cup of cake mix per bowl. Add desired food coloring to each bowl (purple, blue, green).
Bake cakes in round pans according to box instructions, but make sure you check the cake about 10 minutes before it’s supposed to be done. With less mix in each pan, they can cook faster.
Repeat for the remaining colors (red, orange, yellow). You will now have six layers of different colors.
For the frosting, mix together softened (room temperature) butter and softened (room temperature) cream cheese until well combined. Add vanilla. Combine. Slowly add in powder sugar.
(After the 5th cup of powdered sugar, taste the frosting and see if you would like it sweeter. I tend to use the full 6 cups, but some prefer the frosting less sweet.)
Cake assembly:
I try to first level each layer of cake with a large bread knife. For the rainbow cake especially, if all the layers are level, then they will evenly display when you cut into it.
Start with the PURPLE layer first. Put the purple layer on your cake stand or plate. Add enough frosting to cover the layer and some to spill over the edges, anywhere from 1/2 to one cup of frosting. Run the flat, straight side of a knife around the cake to smooth out the edges.
Add the BLUE layer of the cake. Put frosting in the middle, start spreading out frosting with the flat, straight side of a knife so that it covers the cake and falls out over the edges. Then run your knife around the outside edge of the cake to smooth out the sides.
Put the cake into the fridge for at least 2 hours or freeze for 1 hour.
Repeat with GREEN layer, then YELLOW layer.
Put cake into fridge for at least 2 hours or freeze for 1 hour.
Repeat with ORANGE layer, then RED layer.
Cover cake with frosting and run the flat, straight edge of a knife around the edges of the cake to smooth out the frosting.
(It was important for me to freeze the cake between layers for a couple reasons. The cake can get really heavy by the time you are adding the 4th, 5th, and 6th layers, but if it is somewhat frozen at this point, it will not get schmooshed or crushed. Also, it is much easier to frost the cake when it is solid, or not wobbling all over.)
Once you have finished frosting the cake, add any decorative touches or words that fit your occasion! Good luck!
(I set the skill level as difficult, but ONLY because of the time involved. Truly, anyone can do this, and do it well! It just takes a little patience. The end result is SOOO worth it!
Thanks for kind comments on my blog. I was just visiting your blog to get links for the Rainbow cake recipe. I will probably post about making your cake this coming Monday. I love ALL your beautiful creations.
Posted by: Wendy | Nov 06, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Thankyou Im so happy you shared this recipe. what could be more fun for kids than a rainbow cake
Posted by: ashley h | Jan 02, 2010 at 02:44 PM
I have heard using gel food coloring produces a super bright color without any bitterness the liquid coloring might add (especially the red!) have you tried any gels? Have you noticed any taste difference?
Posted by: Meg | Jan 26, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Oooh! I am so excited to try this pretty cake! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Sarah in SC | Feb 17, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Hello, and thank you so much for this great cake! I'm hoping you can give me some direction though. I tried making this cake tonight (as a practice for when I make it for my daughter's 1st birthday in a month). My frosting didn't seem quite right. It was not pure white (had a yellow tinge), and seemed really sticky. Any ideas?
Thanks again!
Posted by: Erica | Mar 28, 2010 at 10:52 PM
I made one!!!! I needed a conversation starter dessert for our neighborhood social mixer and this did the trick!!! I used different frosting, however. It was a real hit. Thank you for the inspiration. See it here: http://[email protected]
Posted by: Jo | Apr 11, 2010 at 01:33 PM
I made this cake in pastel colors yesterday and it turned out great! Too Cute!!!
Posted by: Jeni | Apr 12, 2010 at 12:34 AM
I used gel food coloring and a little goes a LONG way. I added the color with a toothpick. Remember you can add more but you can't take it back out. :)
I also didn't use a box mix or this frosting. I used a basic buttercream.
Thanks for the idea and the tips to make it though, I would have NEVER thought of it on my own.
I used four (maybe six?) inch rounds for a smash cake (first birthday) and nine inch rounds for a normal cake. Turned out great!
Posted by: Jeni | Apr 12, 2010 at 12:39 AM
How could I make this cake ahead a couple days? Is that possible??
Posted by: Lindsay | May 17, 2010 at 09:47 PM
So in Ode to your vivacious rainbow cake, I give you..... (drum roll please!!!) Rainbow cupcakes!!! TA-DA! Yes you can now start drooling! Saw your most awesome rainbow cake and figured that I would do it to some kuppies. To my surprise, they actually rocked!
Please see here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuppykakesbykristin/4641304208/
And here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuppykakesbykristin/4640695775/in/photostream/
HAHAHAHA, OH JUST ONE MORE! HERE: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuppykakesbykristin/4641302908/in/photostream/
P.S. I LOVE YOUR SITE!!! And so far, I think you rock as well!!!
Posted by: Kristin Morris | May 26, 2010 at 10:02 PM
Thanks. I think this is colorful recipe. But where is the picture of Rainbow Cake in your blog. I am not sure but I will make it as soon.
Posted by: Anne | Jun 01, 2010 at 10:13 AM
You're MY Inspiration!
http://forwhatitsworth-ornot.blogspot.com/2010/08/somewhere-over-rainbow.html
Posted by: BJ_Mama | Aug 11, 2010 at 10:51 AM
I"m going to do your "Mother's Day Garden Party" cake. So is it okay to try to make a basic sponge cake with the fruits and food coloring?
Posted by: Eva | Aug 19, 2010 at 07:27 PM
I just wanted to say thanks for sharing this uber-helpful tutorial! The cake was the highlight of my daughter's rainbow party. You should have heard the ooohs and ahhhhhs (and even a gasp or two) as I cut into the cake! Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Megan Berry | Oct 04, 2010 at 12:15 PM
It is awesome idea of making rainbow cake.It looks so different and colourful.I likes this ideas of cake.
Posted by: liquid health supplement | Apr 21, 2011 at 09:54 PM
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I finally made this and it was a huge hit! I put Elmo on the outside, but told everyone the cute part was on the inside. It evoked a true WOW moment with the guests. Here's a pic http://tinyurl.com/42g9erf
Posted by: Alicia | Oct 10, 2011 at 11:02 AM