How to Bake a Rainbow Layer Cake

1 cake
3 hr

There are a few super basic tips to baking a successful rainbow cake. If you want to know how to bake a rainbow dessert, this is the post for you because a couple of baking tips for this makes all the difference. I tried to do this a few years ago and let’s just say, it was a fail. I have tried a few different things to improve the process and came up with a total win for this rainbow layer cake I baked for a party over the weekend. I am excited to share the tips with you so you can also create a successful rainbow layer cake. Let’s look at all of the tips and tricks on how to bake a rainbow layer cake.

To make the cake layers you will need a box mix for each one. There are seven colors in the rainbow but since indigo and violet seem so close, I added pink for my seventh color. You will also need food coloring in the seven colors. I recommend Liqua-Gel food coloring. Whip up each batch of batter (a whole box mix) adding color. Bake your cake layers one a time in a 9 x 13 inch pan. I used a nonstick aluminum pan.


Be sure to Grease baking pan completely so layer will fall right out.

IMPORTANT TIPS on How to Bake a Rainbow Layer Cake

  • Make one layer at a time, in order of the rainbow.
  • While one layer is cooling, prepare and put the next layer in the oven.
  • If a layer comes out crumbly, DO NOT use it.


If you have two ovens, you can bake two at a time. Just be sure they are both completely COOL before proceeding to the next step.

Once the first layer is cool, flip it onto a cooling rack then flip the cooling rack on to your base surface. You will NOT want to move the cake once that second layer gets added. Put LARGE clumps of white buttercream frosting on the corners and smaller clumps around the top of the layer.


IMPORTANT Frosting TIPS

The first step is to prep the confectionary layers and join them together before the final frosting. For a perfect rainbow layer cake, DO NOT SPREAD the frosting. Spreading it can disrupt the cake surface. It will also put a white stripe in your final masterpiece. When learning how to bake a rainbow layer cake and have it come our beautifully, this step is really important.

Add a color at a time following these directions until you reach your top layer. Refrigerator the stack for at least 2 hours before frosting. The frosting might be squishing out of the corners. That is okay. It is keeping the layers of the cake balanced and even.Refrigerating your cake will help it settle and prepare it for frosting. If you cake is appearing lopsided, put a piece of parchment paper on the top and a book or two on the part that is too high to balance it back down.

Once it is thoroughly chilled, frost it with white buttercream icing. If you are not sure how to frost, I recommend you google it and watch a few videos! Decorate the top of the cake as desired. This one was for a post wedding party so I decorate it with a bride and groom toy topper set. If you are learning How to Bake a Rainbow Layer Cake for the first time and it is for an event, you might want to consider practicing first on a test cake. This works great because you can eat the whole thing!

Go ahead, give it a try!


How to Bake a Rainbow Layer Cake
Recipe details
  • 1  cake
  • Prep time: 1 Hours Cook time: 2 Hours Total time: 3 hr
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Ingredients
Cake Layers
  • Vanilla Cake Mix and Necessary Ingredients Per Box
  • Food Coloring
Frosting
  • White Buttercream Frosting
Instructions
Cake Layers
Bake cake layers one at a time, coloring with food coloring and using a large sheet pan.
Once the first layer is cool, flip it onto a cooling rack then flip the cooling rack on to your base surface. You will NOT want to move the cake once that second layer gets added. Put LARGE clumps of white buttercream frosting on the corners and smaller clumps around the top of the layer.
Frosting
Once the first layer is cool, flip it onto a cooling rack then flip the cooling rack on to your base surface. You will NOT want to move the cake once that second layer gets added. Put LARGE clumps of white buttercream frosting on the corners and smaller clumps around the top of the layer.
Refrigerator before frosting and decorating the top with sprinkles or candies.
Tips
  • IMPORTANT Frosting TIPS
  • The first step is to prep the confectionary layers and join them together before the final frosting. For a perfect rainbow layer cake, DO NOT SPREAD the frosting. Spreading it can disrupt the cake surface. It will also put a white stripe in your final masterpiece. When learning how to bake a rainbow layer cake and have it come our beautifully, this step is really important.
Laura Kelly Designs
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