Birthday week Giveaway-A-Day is After the Tutorial
Looking back through the online family albums I was reminded how popular this cake was.
It inspired comments like "Best. Cake. Ever!" and "Wow!" and my personal favorite "Will you be my Mommy?" Now that's validation for the day of work you took off to bake a cake for a toddler.
Although it may seem simple enough, I admit I googled through a dozen or so blogs to see the variations on rainbow cake just to give me the start-up courage. In keeping with the birthday spirit, I want to share with you the straight forward how-to of this cake (it's a monster but worthwhile). But onto the How-to.
How To Bake your own Huge Rainbow Cake
1). If you're smart, you'll buy 2 packs of (white/vanilla) cake mix, prepare batter and proceed to divide into 6 bowls. If you're me and don't live where this is an available option, mix two batches of batter from scratch and then divide into separate bowls. *Modify number of bowls if you want more or less colors but I'll emphasize that six bake nicely.
2). Break out the gel food coloring. You really want your colors to be vibrant now before you bake (some colors may dull out a bit in the oven).
3). Pour and bake each batter in separate aluminum pie tins, unless you have 6 or so cake pans lying around your kitchen. These make slightly thinner layers than a normal batch of layer cake (1/3 batter vs 1/2) so watch carefully.
4). Take random pictures of your kitchen until your cakes are baked and cooled entirely. Again, if you are smart you will level out the layers of your cake that have puffed during baking before using your store bought frosting to layer and crumb-coat the ginormous cake tower. If you're a renegade like me, you will throw caution to the wind and begin stacking your puffy cakes with homemade buttercream and hope the shear weight of the piled cakes will hold it upright.
5). If you're looking to go all the way with this cake (come on, you know you want to) cover in fondant and create 6 balls of gum-paste to match the colors of the inside of your cake and decorate in an outside ring. If not, decorate as you please.
My favorite thing about this cake was that it was an absolute surprise for my then 3 year old child. From the outside, it looked like a pretty normal birthday cake and wasn't too exciting.
But cut one of these babies open at your party and wow! Even when you see it open for the first time, it's impressive and worth all the tiny steps.
6). Cut yourself and your party-goers a slice with a very large and very sharp knife (keeps the colors tidy) and enjoy!
BUT WAIT! I promised a birthday giveaway today and everyday this week.
Giveaway Rules:
1). Follow me and comment and let me know you're following me (mandatory)
*Bonus Entry: Tell me how far you'll go for a party, a kid's a spouses or your own. What is the craziest thing you'll do to make it a Par-tay?
What's the Super Giveaway Prize?
A romantic red rosette headband for one lucky winner. The winner's headband will actually be red but the pink one shows off the design nicely.
Comment for a chance to win until Friday!
January 17, 2011 at 7:31 AM
I am a follower!
Thanks for such a sweet giveaway -- the headband would be perfect for my upcoming bridal shower, (our colors are black & white, and red for our wedding theme.)
Too perfect!
cthompson4 at liberty dot edu
January 17, 2011 at 7:34 AM
I will drive three hours to get to a birthday party as this is how far I live from the majority of my family & they mean so much to me it would not be a bother!!!
To make it a fun party I would make sure to bring something sweet for the bunch to chow on & also some good music to pump up the scene a notch or two & maybe get some of those feet a dancin'!
Haha!
<3
cthompson4 at liberty dot edu
January 17, 2011 at 4:30 PM
What a fabulous cake
Well worth the effort!!
Lucky 3 year old :)
January 17, 2011 at 5:35 PM
That cake is AWESOME!!!!!!! You should be extremely proud of yourself!!!!! I can't seem to put enough exclamation marks!!!!!:)
Miranda
www.justdrinkacoke.blogspot.com
January 17, 2011 at 5:46 PM
Thanks Miranda! I would guess the caffeine adds to the exclamation madness but thank you double.
January 17, 2011 at 9:31 PM
OMG I love that cake!!!! I for sure want this cake for something!!!! Thank you! I am a follower now, come by and follow me!!! Brooke
brookedouglass@yahoo.com
Girl Boy Girl Inspired
January 18, 2011 at 4:03 AM
this is so pretty! I would love for you to link up to my Sew Crafty Party & Giveaway!
http://wildflowersandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2011/01/sew-crafty-saturday-adventure-date.html
January 19, 2011 at 7:38 AM
I love the headband but I love love love the cake! I think I've just found my soon to be 3 year old twins' cake. Thank you!!
January 19, 2011 at 3:11 PM
Hey I am a new follower
Christine
greatoakcircle.com
January 20, 2011 at 3:15 PM
That is super cute. In March my youngest is turning one. I may have to do this.
January 20, 2011 at 3:29 PM
I'm your newest follower. I love the cake, it's very charming. My five soon to be six year old has announced he wants a magic party. So I am making crystal ball invitations, magic wands for the party favors, and will decorate the house with stars and moons. For the food we will have numerous colored "potions" for beverages and rainbow ice cubes to make the drinks change colors. I will go all out for a party, otherwise, why bother?
January 21, 2011 at 4:44 AM
This has got to be a great hit with the kids! I have a little one with a birthday in March, we may have to try this. I'd love for you to come link up and share.
http://smilemonsters.blogspot.com/2011/01/fun-for-kids-friday_20.html
Jo @ SmileMonsters
January 21, 2011 at 4:13 PM
I just love this cake..thanks for the tutorial!
Would love you to share it on my Food Fight Fridays Link party!
http://choochmagooz.blogspot.com/2011/01/food-fight-friday-anything-goes.html
January 22, 2011 at 10:59 PM
I LOVE rainbow cakes!! You did such a good job with this one! Thanks for linking up!
January 22, 2011 at 11:28 PM
There isn't a person alive that doesn't smile for a huge hunk of rainbow goodness.
January 23, 2011 at 12:24 AM
Wow that is really something! And by the way, cake mix is available in Israel, I've seen it in several stores, they may have been brands from the US, like Duncan Hines, but I'm pretty sure there's an Israeli brand too.
Thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!
January 23, 2011 at 7:23 AM
Everything was available when we lived in Jerusalem, Akko is slightly less Anglo-friendly by way of groceries and such. But we did once see an Arabic Betty Crocker microwavable single serving cake...not quite the same.
January 23, 2011 at 8:18 AM
A delight! Just looking at the pictures made me smile! Must do this, as soon as I get good food coloring. All I see in local groceries is the ucky 4-color liquid set where each color is tinged with yellow.
Love your blog!
January 23, 2011 at 9:24 AM
Thanks Chavi! yeah avoid the liquid coloring if at all possible and invest in 3 basic colors, if you remember your color wheel these will serve you well and outweigh the $3 a piece they cost at a baking supply or craft store. So glad you stopped by.
January 23, 2011 at 11:41 PM
So cute! I will be featuring your project this Thursday at my weekly link party, Hookin Up with HoH #34.
I'm letting you know in advance as I'll be out of town during the party and will be unable to notify you on Thursday.
Please feel free to stop by and grab a button on Thursday!
~Allison @ House of Hepworths
January 26, 2011 at 7:27 PM
Hi
Just wanted to let you know that I “ Featured” you on Santa’s Gift Shoppe Blog Hop today for your great project & inspiration! Be sure to grab the “I was featured” on Santa’s Gift Shoppe Button/Code for your sidebar! You deserve it! Thanks so much..If you’re not a follower already we’d love for you to join us...
Barb
January 26, 2011 at 10:38 PM
Wow. That is stunning. Have you ever worked with any of the natural dyes? We are sensitive to food dyes here at "the estate"...but that sure is bright and gorgeous!
LMK!
January 27, 2011 at 8:21 AM
First of all... OMG I love this! I am so jealous! I have never baked anything in my entire life. I think I might have to try this for my anniversary! I am loving this so much! Second of all, I am your newest follower. Stop on by my blog at http://alaynahoward.blogspot.com :)
January 28, 2011 at 2:37 PM
Hey Sara...
Proud to say you were our Top Slinger for Food Fight Friday last week! So deserved!
Drop on over and grab a funky featured button on our sidebar if you'd like.
And of course it's Friday today...so you know what that means!.....
http://choochmagooz.blogspot.com/2011/01/food-fight-friday-cupcakes-for-cancer.html
March 20, 2011 at 1:04 AM
I'm going to attempt to make this bad boy for the neighbor kids on Monday. I'm trying not to panic at the size!
Thanks for such a neat recipe! Wish me luck! :)
March 2, 2012 at 9:23 PM
My son was born on St. Patrick's Day; so this is an awesome cake to dream of making! Perhaps we also need a pot-o-gold and some shamrock frosting decorations! Thanks so such a good idea!
March 3, 2012 at 1:11 AM
Hi! Recently I made one cake with gelatin in the batter, so, the cake is colored according with the flavor. Watch it!
Lemon gelatin poundcake
March 3, 2012 at 1:18 AM
By the way... I loved your rainbow cake!!!
March 5, 2012 at 7:16 PM
As I have found complete tutorial about how to make stunning rainbow cake. It's truly looking one of special featured cake to surprise someone. As the colors and design of this one are really looking with full of creativity. It's one of extreme featured source for me. Thanks for sharing.