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Perfect Pastel Rainbow Layer Cake Recipe Easy Homemade Buttercream Frosting

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A colorful and delicious pastel rainbow layer cake with a soft, tender crumb and creamy buttercream frosting. Perfect for special occasions and easy enough for beginners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • Gel food coloring in pastel shades (pink, yellow, mint green, lavender, baby blue) – about ¼ teaspoon each
  • 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) heavy cream
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 3 to 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract.
  5. Reduce mixer speed to low and alternately add flour mixture and milk in three additions, starting and ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly into 5 bowls. Add about ¼ teaspoon of each pastel gel food coloring to each bowl and gently fold until colors are uniform but pastel.
  7. Pour each colored batter into prepared pans, layering gently or bake separately in batches. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  9. For frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar alternating with heavy cream, then mix in vanilla extract and salt. Beat until fluffy and spreadable.
  10. Trim domed tops of cake layers if needed. Assemble cake by layering each colored cake with buttercream between layers and cover top and sides with frosting.
  11. Chill cake for at least 30 minutes to set frosting. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for vibrant pastel colors without thinning the batter. Room temperature eggs and milk help batter mix smoothly. Don’t overmix batter to avoid dense cake. Trim domed cake tops for even layers. Beat buttercream well for light, spreadable frosting. Chill cake before slicing for clean cuts.

Nutrition

Keywords: pastel rainbow cake, layer cake, buttercream frosting, easy cake recipe, colorful cake, birthday cake, homemade cake

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/perfect-pastel-rainbow-layer-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-buttercream-frosting/