Rainbow Cake (Easy Recipe)

Rainbow cake is the ultimate celebration dessert. With its bright and cheerful colors, this cake is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. 

The fluffy, vanilla-flavored sponge is so light and fluffy, you won’t be able to resist going back for seconds (or thirds, I won’t judge).

And let’s not forget about that irresistible buttercream frosting!

This cake isn’t just for special occasions, it’s perfect for any day that needs a little extra color and fun.

So, grab some food coloring, and a box of cake mix, and get baking!

Rainbow Cake

Rainbow cake is a super fun and colorful dessert that’s guaranteed to brighten up your day. 

It’s a cake that’s made up of six layers, each a different color of the rainbow. Think of it as a rainbow explosion on your plate!

The Betty Crocker Super Moist Vanilla Cake Mix is the secret ingredient to making the layers of rainbow cake so moist and fluffy. 

It’s the perfect base for adding in those vibrant colors that make this cake so eye-catching.

And let’s not forget about the flavor. With the Betty Crocker mix, you’re getting a classic vanilla cake that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Let’s talk about those colors for a second.

Now, you can mix it up and choose your own colors, but the most common colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. 

But don’t let the colors fool you.

Rainbow cake is more than just a pretty face. Each layer is moist, fluffy, and bursting with vanilla flavor. 

And when you stack them all up and add a luscious buttercream frosting in between, it’s a match made in heaven. 

Now, the great thing about rainbow cake is that it’s incredibly versatile.

It’s a great choice for any celebration, from birthdays to weddings to graduations. 

And you can customize the colors to match the theme of the party!

So, it’s a fun and festive addition to any dessert table. It’s sure to leave a lasting impression.

Don’t have a special occasion coming up? A rainbow cake is still a fun and playful dessert that you can enjoy any day of the week. 

And the best part? It’s super easy to make!

With the Betty Crocker mix and some food coloring, you can create your own rainbow masterpiece at home.

So, whether you’re celebrating or just need a little extra happiness in your day, rainbow cake is the answer.

It’s colorful, fun, and absolutely delicious. So go ahead, get baking, and enjoy the rainbow!

Ingredients

Cake:

• Betty Crocker Super Moist Vanilla Cake Mix: A boxed cake mix that saves time and effort while still producing a delicious cake.
• Water: Helps to bring the batter together and make it smoother.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture to the cake and keeps it from becoming dry.
• Eggs: Opt for large and fresh eggs when baking. It’s a good idea to let them reach room temperature before adding them to the cake batter.
• Betty Crocker classic gel food colors: Red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. 

Buttercream Frosting:

• Shortening: Shortening is the secret ingredient for creating frosting with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Butter: Adds flavor and richness to the frosting. Be sure it’s nicely softened. 
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting and gives it a thick and smooth consistency. It’s best to use powdered sugar as it dissolves into the frosting easier. 
• Vanilla: I like using pure vanilla extract, as it adds a subtle sweetness to the frosting.
• Milk: Use any milk you have. It helps to thin out the frosting and make it easier to spread on the cake.

How to Make Rainbow Cake

Follow these simple steps to make a fabulous rainbow cake: 

Cake:

1. Prep. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and greasing three 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray.
2. Make the batter. In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, beat the cake mix, water, oil, and eggs on low speed for 30 seconds. Then, continue to beat the batter on medium speed for 2 minutes. Don’t forget to scrape the bowl occasionally.
3. Divide the batter. Divide the batter equally among 6 small bowls, giving each bowl around 1 1/3 cups of batter.
4. Color the batter. Grab the Betty Crocker classic gel food colors and start tinting the batter. One bowl for blue, one for red, one for green, one for yellow, one for orange (by using red and yellow), and one for purple (by using blue and red).
5. Make the layers. Refrigerate three of the colored batters until you’re ready to bake them. Pour the remaining three colors of batter into the prepared cake pans.
6. Bake. Bake the cakes for 18 to 20 minutes or until they spring back when lightly touched in the center and begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.
7. Cool. Let them cool for 10 minutes before removing them from the pans and transferring them to cooling racks. Be patient and let them cool completely before moving on to the next step.
8. Repeat. Clean the cake pans and repeat the baking and cooling process with the remaining three cake layers.

Buttercream Frosting:

1. Make the frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat the shortening and butter on medium speed with an electric mixer until it’s light yellow. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar on low speed, then add the vanilla.
2. Perfect the consistency. Add the milk, one tablespoon at a time, and beat until the frosting is smooth. Now it’s time to crank up the speed and beat on high until the frosting is light and fluffy.
3. Prep the cakes. Trim any rounded tops off the cakes to level them if needed.
4. Add frosting to the layers. On a serving plate, place the purple cake layer and spread frosting to within 1/4 inch of the edge. Repeat this process with the blue, green, yellow, orange, and red cake layers.
5. Frost the sides. Then spread a light coat of frosting on the top and sides of the cake to seal in the crumbs. Then, finish the cake with the remaining frosting.
6. Serve and enjoy! Slice and serve. 

Tips for the Best Rainbow Cake

Here are some tips to make the best rainbow cake possible:

• Be sure to prepare the cake pans by greasing them and lining them with parchment paper. You don’t want any sponge stuck to the pan!
• Don’t overbake the cakes. Test them for doneness by lightly touching the center to see if they spring back.
• Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting them to avoid melting or sliding.
• Level the cake layers before assembling to ensure a flat and stable base.
• Use a crumb coat of frosting to help smooth out any imperfections and keep the final layer of frosting clean.
• Decorate the cake with fun and colorful decorations to enhance the rainbow theme.
• Get the perfect distribution of batter in your cake pans by using a kitchen scale to measure the weight accurately.
• Make your rainbow cake really pop by using gel food coloring. The colors are much more vibrant compared to liquid food coloring.
• Keep your cakes consistent by using the same type of cake pans made by the same brand. Different brands can vary in size, so it’s best to avoid mixing and matching pans to ensure the cakes stack up nicely.
• For a pop of color, add rainbow sprinkles to the bottom of the cake after frosting it with buttercream. Just be careful because some sprinkles may fall off!

How to Store and Freeze

Storing: Once you’re done assembling and decorating your cake, pop it into the fridge until you’re ready to chow down. 

This will help the buttercream stay firm and prevent it from melting all over the place, especially if you’re on the go.

Freezing: If you’re planning on saving some slices for later, I’ve got a nifty trick for you. 

First, place your leftover slices on a plate or baking tray. Freeze them for 10-15 minutes until they’re nice and solid. 

Then, wrap each slice twice in plastic wrap to keep them fresh.

These slices will keep in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to indulge in some sweet cake. 

Pro tip: Take them out a few hours before serving to let them thaw and reach room temperature for easy slicing.