Rainbow cake is a colorful and visually striking cake made by baking thin layers of cake in different colors and stacking them to create a striped, rainbow effect. Despite its vibrant appearance, rainbow cake is not actually flavored like a rainbow or with multiple flavors. Instead, each colored layer is typically flavored the same – most commonly with vanilla or almond extract. The key to rainbow cake is using food coloring to dye the batter different colors before baking. When cut into, the interior reveals the vibrant rainbow stripes. Let’s explore the origins, flavors, and creation of this whimsical cake.
What is Rainbow Cake?
Rainbow cake, also sometimes called pride cake or layered cake, is a cake with multiple thin layers of differently colored cake stacked together. The most common colors used are the colors of the rainbow – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. When sliced, the interior of the cake reveals a colorful stripe pattern. Rainbow cakes first became popular in the 1950s in the United States when convenient boxed cake mixes and liquid food coloring became widely available to home bakers. The striking visual appeal of rainbow cakes has made them a popular choice for birthdays and celebrations ever since.
History and Origins
While cakes in multiple colors have likely existed previously, rainbow cakes as we know them today trace their origins back to the 1950s in America. A few key innovations helped popularize rainbow cakes during this decade:
- Boxed cake mixes – Brands like Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines introduced boxed cake mixes starting in the 1940s. These convenient mixes allowed home bakers to quickly and easily bake cakes. All you needed to add was water and oil.
- Liquid and gel food coloring – Food coloring previously came in powders or inefficient liquids. New, concentrated liquid and gel food colors gave bakers vibrant colors without affecting the cake texture and flavor.
- Electric mixers – Electric mixers became common in households in the 1950s, making mixing cake batters and frostings much faster and easier.
With cake mix, food coloring, and mixers readily available, stacking differently colored thin cake layers become an achievable and fun novelty for home bakers. The striking visual effect of rainbow cakes made them a popular new trend in the 1950s party and birthday cake scene.
Variations
While the classic rainbow cake uses six colors stacked in order of the rainbow, many variations exist:
- Fewer layers – Cakes can be made with just 2-4 colors instead of the full rainbow.
- More layers – Some elaborate cakes may have 8-10 thin colored layers.
- Different colors – Cakes can skip classic rainbow colors and use any color combination.
- Color gradients – Rather than distinct bands of color, the layers can gradually transition between color shifts.
- Tie dye – Baking the batter in water baths creates tie dye swirl patterns in each layer.
- Checkerboard – Stack alternating colored layers diagonally to create a checkerboard pattern inside.
The colors and patterns are limited only by creativity. Rainbow cakes can be adapted to suit any preferences, occasion, or design.
What Flavors is Rainbow Cake?
Surprisingly, despite its colorful appearance, rainbow cake is not actually flavored or scented like a rainbow. Each differently colored layer is most often flavored exactly the same.
Most Common Rainbow Cake Flavors
- Vanilla – Vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream frosting is the most popular and classic rainbow cake flavor. The pure, sweet flavor pairs well with the colors.
- Almond – Almond extract added to the cake batter and frosting gives rainbow cake a pleasant, nutty flavor.
- Chocolate – Chocolate rainbow cake often uses chocolate cake mix and chocolate buttercream or ganache.
- Funfetti – Fun rainbow sprinkle cake layers with vanilla frosting add festivity.
- Red velvet – Layers of red velvet cake combined with cream cheese frosting make a rich rainbow cake.
- Carrot – Spiced carrot cake with cream cheese frosting creates an earthy, aromatic rainbow cake.
Nearly any cake flavor can be turned into a rainbow cake. Bakers get creative with favorites like strawberry, lemon, pumpkin spice, and more. The colors are the showstopper rather than the flavors.
Why Not Rainbow Flavored?
In theory, each layer of a rainbow cake could be flavored with a different extract to complement the color, such as orange for orange, lemon for yellow, and so on. However, flavors like these are quite strong and would clash once combined in a slice. The varied flavors would overpower rather than complement each other.
Baking each layer with the same subtle flavor allows the colors to be the star without fighting competing flavors. Complementary frostings like vanilla or cream cheese help unite the layers. This allows rainbow cake to look festive without tasting too busy or disjointed.
How to Make Rainbow Cake
Making rainbow cake from scratch is a bit time consuming but fun and rewarding. Follow these general steps:
- Bake six thin cake layers in six bowls using a white or yellow cake recipe.
- Divide batter between bowls and tint each with food coloring – make red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple batters.
- Bake each thin 4-6 inch round layer in the oven until set. Allow to cool completely.
- Frost each layer with buttercream, cream cheese, or ganache frosting.
- Stack the layers in color order with frosting between each layer.
- Frost the outside of the whole cake to finish.
Using cake mix speeds the process up. Simply divide a box of white or yellow cake mix into six bowls and tint each with the food colorings before baking. Box cake mixes make the layers easy to get consistent and fluffy.
Tips for Perfect Layers
A few tips will ensure your rainbow cake layers come out just right:
- Make cake batter according to package instructions or recipe.
- Divide batter equally between each bowl to make layers the same thickness.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the batter.
- Bake each layer until a toothpick comes out clean, about 18-22 minutes.
- Allow layers to cool completely before assembling to prevent slipping.
- Use frosting flavors that complement rather than compete with each other.
- Place least dense cake layers on top to prevent toppling.
Getting thin, even cake layers all baked through takes a little practice. But the final colorful result is worth the effort.
Serving and Storing Rainbow Cake
Rainbow cakes not only taste delicious but provide stunning presentation when served. Here are some tips for serving and storing rainbow cake:
Serving Rainbow Cake
- Display whole cake first to show the full rainbow effect before cutting.
- Use a gentle sawing motion with a serrated knife to cut slices so the layers stay intact.
- Serve slices with the rainbow pattern visible on the side for the best effect.
- Offer a white or clear plate to show off the interior rainbow stripes.
- Pair with rainbow sprinkles or decorations to enhance the theme.
Presenting the rainbow cake slices elegantly highlights the colors for guests.
Storing Rainbow Cake
- Store uneaten rainbow cake covered at room temperature up to 2 days.
- Refrigerating can cause condensation – wrap well if chilling more than 15 minutes.
- Freeze frosted rainbow cake layers up to 2-3 months.
- Wrap cake well in plastic then foil before freezing.
- Let slices thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
With proper storage, rainbow cake taste as good as the day its baked for future enjoyment.
Fun Facts About Rainbow Cake
Beyond just being delicious and beautiful, rainbow cake has some fun and fascinating facts behind it:
- The tallest recorded rainbow cake had over 700 layers and stood 6 feet tall.
- Rainbow cakes are sometimes called layer cakes, pride cakes, or a royale cake.
- Australia is credited with creating the popular rainbow layer jello or jelly roll cake.
- Rainbow cakes can feature any color combination, not just the colors of the rainbow.
- The world’s largest rainbow cake was made in 2010 in Portugal. It weighed over 6,000 pounds.
- Rainbow cakes are a popular way to reveal the gender of a baby on the way.
- May is national rainbow cake month. Rainbow cakes are perfect for spring parties.
- The average rainbow cake uses around 2-3 cups of frosting between each layer.
From its name origins to record-setting cakes, rainbow cake has an interesting history and culture around it.
Rainbow Cake and Pop Culture
Thanks to its joyful colors and whimsical charm, rainbow cake has cemented itself in pop culture over the years:
- In the 1950s, rainbow cakes commonly appeared in media, TV, and advertisements as a result of the baking trend.
- A popular episode of the 1990s sitcom Friends featured Monica baking a gravity-defying rainbow cake.
- Rainbow cakes are now frequently featured in cooking competition shows like Cupcake Wars and Bake Off.
- Youtube and social media have propelled rainbow cakes back into popularity with viral recipe videos.
- Music artists like Kacey Musgraves and Radiohead have featured rainbow cakes on their album covers and merch.
- Rainbow cakes are often used as statement cakes by the LGBTQ+ community during Pride month celebrations.
- Companies like Target have released rainbow cake mix packages and pans to assist home bakers.
Rainbow cakes continue to appear as symbols of joy, celebration, diversity, and pride in media and culture.
Common Questions about Rainbow Cake
Rainbow cake’s eye-catching appearance lends itself to many frequently asked questions:
What makes rainbow cake so colorful?
Rainbow cakes get their vibrant color from food coloring. Thin cake layers are tinted with liquid or gel food dyes in a range of rainbow colors before baking.
Do you have to use cake mix to make rainbow cake?
While cake mixes simplify rainbow cakes, you can bake colorful layers from any white or yellow cake recipe. Prepare six separate batters and divide food coloring between each.
What is the difference between a checkerboard cake and rainbow cake?
Checkerboard cakes alternate colors diagonally to create a checkerboard pattern inside when sliced. Rainbow cakes feature vertical layers of color like a rainbow.
How do you layer a rainbow cake?
Stack rainbow cake layers with frosting between each, starting with purple on the bottom, then blue, green, yellow, orange, and finally red on top.
How much frosting do you need for a rainbow layer cake?
Plan on about 3/4 cup to 1 cup of frosting between each layer. Frosting flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or cream cheese all pair well.
Rainbow Cake Recipes to Try
Ready to try baking your own rainbow cake magic? Here are some festive and easy rainbow cake recipes to inspire you:
Easy Rainbow Cake with Box Cake Mix
Ingredients:
- 1 box white or yellow cake mix
- Eggs, oil, water per cake mix instructions
- Gel food coloring
- Buttercream frosting
Directions:
- Prepare cake mix batter as directed on box.
- Divide batter equally into 6 bowls and tint each bowl a different color.
- Bake each thin 4-6 inch layer according to package directions.
- Stack cooled layers with buttercream frosting in between.
- Frost outside of cake.
Vanilla Confetti Rainbow Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 white cake mix
- Rainbow sprinkles
- Gel food coloring
- Vanilla frosting
Directions:
- Make cake batter and divide into 6 bowls.
- Add sprinkles and food coloring to each bowl.
- Bake thin layers and allow to cool completely.
- Stack layers with vanilla frosting in between.
- Frost outside of cake.
Strawberry Rainbow Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 white cake mix
- 1 cup strawberry puree
- Red and pink gel coloring
- Strawberry buttercream frosting
Directions:
- Mix strawberry puree into prepared cake batter.
- Tint batter pink and red in bowls.
- Bake layers and cool.
- Stack layers with strawberry frosting.
- Garnish cake with strawberries.
Rainbow cake is a fun, simple way to add color and whimsy to any occasion. Get creative with colors and flavors to make your own unique rainbow cake. Just be sure to wow the crowd with that first magical slice!
Conclusion
While it may look exotic, rainbow cake is surprisingly simple. By baking white or yellow cake batter in a rainbow of vibrant colors, you get a fun, striped effect perfect for celebrations. Stacking six rounds layers with complementary frosting allows the colors to shine. While appearances may be dazzling, rainbow cake often sticks to pleasing flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or almond. With easy recipes and formulations, bakers can create whimsical rainbow cakes at home with help from basic pantry ingredients and imagination. So gather your food coloring, cake pans, and sense of adventure to whip up a dreamy rainbow cake that provides joy with every colorful slice.