Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- Food coloring (pink, blue, purple, and yellow)
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 8 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Food coloring (same colors as above)
For Decoration:
- Unicorn horn and ears cake topper (available at baking supply stores or online)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prepare Pans:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour four 8-inch round cake pans. If you only have two pans, you can bake in batches.
2. Make the Cake Batter:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
3. Color the Batter:
- Divide the batter evenly into four bowls.
- Add a few drops of different food coloring to each bowl (one for each color) and gently mix until the color is evenly distributed.
4. Bake the Cakes:
- Pour each colored batter into a prepared cake pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely.
5. Make the Buttercream Frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Divide the frosting into four bowls. Tint each bowl with the same food coloring used for the cake layers.
6. Assemble the Cake:
- Place the first cake layer on a cake board or serving plate.
- Spread an even layer of frosting on top.
- Repeat with the remaining layers, alternating colors of the cake and frosting.
- Once all layers are stacked, apply a thin crumb coat of frosting over the entire cake and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
7. Decorate the Cake:
- Apply a final layer of frosting to the cake, smoothing it with an offset spatula.
- Use the remaining colored frostings to pipe swirls and rosettes on top of the cake.
- Insert the unicorn horn and ears cake topper.
- Add sprinkles or edible glitter for extra sparkle.
Tips:
- For a more intense color: Use gel food coloring instead of liquid.
- To keep the cake moist: Wrap the cooled cake layers in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight before frosting.
Enjoy your magical unicorn cake!