Super-duper Rainbow Cake - it was easy, tasty and glorious!

I saw the Rainbow Cake making the rounds of my favorite blogs months ago - specifically Omnomicon's version. The pictures are gorgeous and I've been wanting to try it out ever since. When my dear friend Guadalupe asked me to make the birthday cake for her 6 year old daughter's birthday, I thought, here's my chance!!

So after discussing it, Gabi and I decided on an artist's palette birthday cake since she loves art. I made the inside a rainbow cake as a surprise. It turned out really well and was quite tasty (thanks Betty). Go over to Omnomicon for the recipe and how-to. I baked the colored batter a little differently so I've included some "making-of" shots below.

 

Last weekend I did a test run of the cake to get a feel for the batter and to see how bright the colors came out. It came out good (albeit over-cooked because I started yakking away on the phone and forgot about them in the oven - oops) and was really easy. I followed Omnomicon's directions with the batter on this one. I wish I had taken a picture of the crumbs on the white plate - so beautiful!

So anyhoo - I was concerned that if I carved the sides of the cake for the palette, that I would cut off an entire color so instead I decided to "blob" the colors on Gabi's cake today so everyone would get a variety of colors.

Basics
14" pan (Magi-cake strips)
2 boxes of Betty Crocker white cake mix (egg whites, oil, water)
AmeriColor liquid gel food coloring
white and chocolate frosting
Masonite cake board  (foil)

I mixed the two boxes of cake mix and split the batter evenly into 9 bowls then tinted each bowl a different color.

Then I just took a spoon and started dropping the different colors of batter into the prepared pan (tip - always use a parchment round at the bottom of cakes 10" and bigger, I learned that one the hard way!). I filled the bottom of the pan first and then added more blobs on top in a second and third layer.

 

Give the pan a few taps to fill any gaps and release bubbles then bake. Mine took 35 minutes at 360 (my oven's a little off - thank goodness for oven thermometers).

Glorious!!

I decided not to level the top of the cake since it would only be one layer. Besides - it was pretty flat anyway because of the Magi-cake strips (best invention ever).

I placed it on the prepared masonite board (another awesome find - it's really sturdy but light, love 'em) and carved the sides, gave it a crumb coat and then frosted it with her name and some "paint" blobs.

Voila!! She liked it and that's what matters. I loved hearing her squeal when she saw the colors inside that was my reward. :)

 
I hope you'll try it and surprise someone too. Here is a link to a zebra cake that I'll try one day soon. Happy baking!

Comments

[Haliee Kennedy]

I originally saw this on Omnomicon's site, but was uncertain of substitutions for a non-diet cake. I just finished two of them, one for my mom, and the main one for my friend who missed out on her 16th birthday because she was in Italy on a church trip. Your recipe was AMAZING! It turned out exquisite, and was simple enough that I, a 16 year old, could put it together without further instruction. Again, thanks so much! This is sure to impress!

[Karen Jones]

I love it!! Can't wait to try this!!

[Mymsie]

What a sweet thing to do - love it!