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Perfect Pride Rainbow Layer Cake

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A vibrant, multi-layered rainbow cake with moist vanilla layers and fluffy buttercream frosting, perfect for celebrations and expressing joy and inclusion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature (or dairy-free milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
  • Food coloring gels or natural colors in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple
  • For the Buttercream Frosting:
  • 1 ½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 5 cups (600g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (or coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line six 8-inch pans with parchment paper. If you have fewer pans, plan to bake in batches.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Using an electric mixer, beat 1 cup softened butter and 1 ¾ cups sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in four eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the vanilla extract or paste.
  5. With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk (1 cup), beginning and ending with the dry mix. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  6. Divide batter evenly into six small bowls (or as many as you have colors). Add a few drops of each food coloring to the bowls and stir gently until colors are vibrant and even.
  7. Carefully spoon each colored batter into its prepared cake pan, smoothing the tops with a spatula. Tap the pans gently on the counter to release air bubbles.
  8. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking for even color and rise.
  9. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Make sure layers are completely cool before frosting.
  10. Beat 1 ½ cups softened butter until creamy. Gradually add 5 cups powdered sugar, mixing on low. Add vanilla, lemon zest, salt, and cream 1 tablespoon at a time until fluffy and spreadable.
  11. Place the purple layer on your serving plate or turntable. Spread an even layer of frosting on top. Repeat with blue, green, yellow, orange, then red layers, frosting between each.
  12. Use remaining frosting to coat the sides and top smoothly.
  13. Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes to set the frosting before slicing.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and butter for best results. If frosting gets too soft while assembling, chill it in the fridge for 10 minutes. Use a crumb coat and chill between coats for a smooth finish. You can bake layers in batches if you don’t have six pans. Natural food colorings yield softer hues than gels. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days and bring to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: rainbow cake, layer cake, celebration cake, pride cake, vanilla cake, buttercream frosting, colorful cake, easy cake recipe

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/perfect-pride-rainbow-layer-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-celebration-dessert/