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Perfect Hidden Rainbow Layer Cake Recipe with Easy White Frosting Surprise

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A simple yet stunning rainbow layer cake with vibrant hidden colors inside and a fluffy, tangy cream cheese white frosting on the outside. Perfect for celebrations and easy enough for weeknight baking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled for accuracy)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • Gel food coloring in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease six 6-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly into six small bowls. Add a different gel food coloring to each bowl and stir gently until vibrant and even.
  7. Pour each colored batter into prepared pans, smoothing tops lightly. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking.
  8. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
  9. For the frosting, beat softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed to combine.
  10. Add vanilla extract, heavy cream or milk, and a pinch of salt. Adjust cream for desired spreadability.
  11. Place the purple layer on a serving plate. Spread about ½ cup frosting on top. Repeat stacking layers in rainbow order (blue, green, yellow, orange, red), frosting between each.
  12. Use remaining frosting to cover the entire cake smoothly. Chill for 15 minutes if frosting softens.

Notes

Use gel food coloring to prevent batter thinning and color bleeding. Let cake layers cool completely before frosting to avoid melting or sliding frosting. Use a kitchen scale for even batter division. Chill cake after crumb coating for best results. Cake layers can be baked ahead and stored wrapped tightly.

Nutrition

Keywords: rainbow cake, layer cake, cream cheese frosting, birthday cake, colorful cake, easy cake recipe, celebration cake

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