Description
This Rainbow Cake is made entirely with natural dyes, using ingredients like beet juice, spinach, and blueberry juice to create a colorful, pastel effect. It is as delicious as it is visually stunning.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Natural Dyes:
- 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 mL) beet juice
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) carrot juice
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) spinach juice
- 1+ tablespoon (15+ mL) blueberry juice
- 1+ tablespoon (15+ mL) blackberry juice
White Cake (Courtesy of Cooking Light):
- 3 1/2 cups (348 g) flour
- 2 teaspoons (7.5 g) baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2 g) baking soda
- 1 3/4 cups (335 g) sugar
- 1/4 cup (57 g) butter
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (20 g) oil
- 2 egg whites
- 1 2/3 cups (394 mL) milk, divided
- 1/2 cup (60 g) plain, fat-free yogurt
- 2 1/2 teaspoons (12 mL) vanilla
Buttercream Frosting:
- 3 3/4 cups (488 g) powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup (115 g) butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) vanilla
- 3 tablespoons (45 mL) milk
Whipped Cream Frosting:
- 2 cups (473 mL) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (33 g) powdered sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.5 g) salt
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Prepare the Natural Dyes
- Juice beets in a juicer or use the liquid from canned beets.
- Juice carrots in a juicer or use store-bought carrot juice.
- Juice spinach in a juicer.
- Microwave 1/4 cup (25 g) frozen blueberries in 30-second intervals until they burst, then strain out 1+ tablespoon (15+ mL) blueberry juice.
- Microwave 1/4 cup (25 g) frozen blackberries in 30-second intervals until they burst, then strain out 1+ tablespoon (15+ mL) blackberry juice.
2. Prepare the Cake Batter
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream the butter, oil, and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg whites and beat well.
- Mix in vanilla, 1 cup (237 mL) milk, and yogurt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the remaining milk.
3. Color the Cake Batter
- Divide the cake batter into six equal portions (about 1/2 cup per bowl).
- Mix in the natural dye for each bowl:
- Red: 2 tablespoons (30 mL) beet juice
- Orange: 1 1/2 tablespoons (20 mL) carrot juice
- Yellow: 1 egg yolk + 1 tablespoon (15 mL) milk
- Green: 1 tablespoon (15 mL) spinach juice
- Blue: 1 tablespoon (15 mL) blueberry juice
- Purple: 1 tablespoon (15 mL) blackberry juice
- If needed, adjust the color intensity by adding more juice.
4. Bake the Cake Layers
- Grease and flour six 5.5-inch cake pans (or bake in batches).
- Pour each colored batter into a separate pan.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cake springs back when touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.
5. Make the Buttercream Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
- Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar (for thickness) or milk (for softness).
6. Make the Whipped Cream Frosting
- Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and salt at medium speed until stiff peaks form.
- Fold in vanilla extract.
7. Assemble the Cake
- Place the purple layer on a serving platter.
- Spread 2 spoonfuls of buttercream frosting evenly on top.
- Repeat with the blue, green, yellow, orange, and red layers.
- Lightly freeze the cake for 5 minutes to set the frosting.
- Coat the entire cake with buttercream frosting using a knife or spatula.
- Apply whipped cream frosting for a smooth, soft finish.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Dye Intensity: Natural dyes create pastel colors. For more vibrant hues, use concentrated juice.
Layer Size: If you don’t have 6 cake pans, bake in batches or use cupcake tins for mini rainbow cakes.
Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 46g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 65mg