There is nothing better than a big, five layer rainbow cake to make a dull rainy Saturday a bit brighter is there? I have to admit this isn't quite how I visioned it but stupid me forgot to check my food colouring supply before I went shopping so I assumed I had all the colours I needed. I did not but still I think it looks pretty good. Next time I'll plan the colours a little better. I baked this cake as a trial run. A friend's daughters birthday is the 27th December finding a cake company/business who will take on an order over Christmas is impossible so I volunteered. Although this cake looks impressive it's quite easy to bake if you know what you are doing.
We spent our day yesterday cosied up inside. I had housework and baking to do and the Mr caught up with TV. It was the perfect remedy to the miserable grey weather. In a couple of weeks we are heading to a big Christmas market and I can't tell you how excited I am! I do love Christmas a lot. I'm hoping to share some more festive baking and DIY's this week. So keep an eye out for those.
Onto the recipe.
Adapted from Primrose Bakery Christmas (which I will be reviewing very soon!)
You will need:
For the cake
420g self-raising flour
450g caster sugar
50g cornflour
2 tsps baking powder
450g unsalted butter, softened
8 eggs
6 tbsps semi-skimmed milk
2 tsps vanilla extract
five shades of food colouring
For the frosting
400g soft cheese
750g icing sugar
1tsp vanilla extract
confetti sprinkles
Preheat the oven to 180ºC/Gas 4. Grease five sandwich tins and line with baking paper. (If you don't have five tins you can just bake two or three at a time, wash the tins up and re-grease and line.
Sift the flour, baking powder and cornflour together into a large bowl, Add the sugar. Mix together gently.
Add the butter, eggs, milk and vanilla and using an electric whisk mix until smooth.
Divide the mixture into five bowls. Add a colour to each of the bowls and stir thoroughly.
Pour the batter into the tins and bake for 15 - 20 minutes, until the cakes have risen. Leave to cool slightly before taking them out of their tins.
Leave to cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting add all the ingredients into a bowl and mix until you have a thick but spreadable frosting.
To assemble the cake, place the first layer onto a cake board, top with some of the frosting and then add each layer until finished.
On the top layer spread the frosting all over and down the sides of the cake.
Taking a spatula spread over the frosting until you have a smooth finish, this may take a little while to achieve.
Take the remaining frosting into a piping bag and pipe four lines around the edge of the cake.
Sprinkle with confetti sprinkles.
Enjoy!
Keep the cake in the fridge as the frosting will melt if kept at room temperature.
I think I like these colors better then the bright radio-active rainbow cakes I have seen out there! Although I know that is what a rainbow cakes appeal is... and children wouldn't want anything less. But if I were to have a birthday cake I would want one just like this!
ReplyDeleteI have a little one's who's birthday is in December and it can be difficult for many reasons, your friend is very lucky indeed to have you help her out!