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A Colorful Celebration in Every Slice
If you’re looking to wow your guests with a cake that’s as stunning as it is delicious, this Rainbow Drip Cake is your answer. With vibrant ganache drips cascading down smooth white buttercream and shimmering gold accents, this cake is a true showstopper. Perfect for birthdays, pride celebrations, or any time you want to add a splash of color to your table!
Ingredients
For the Cake Layers:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- Food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
For the Vanilla Buttercream:
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Rainbow Drip Ganache:
- 1 cup white chocolate chips (per color)
- ⅓ cup heavy cream (per color)
- Gel food coloring (same rainbow colors as cake layers)
Optional Decorations:
- Edible gold leaf or gold flakes
- Sprinkles or edible glitter
Instructions
1. Bake the Rainbow Layers
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line six 6-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (3–5 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk, starting and ending with dry.
- Divide batter evenly into six bowls. Color each with a different rainbow hue.
- Pour each into separate pans and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before stacking.
2. Make the Buttercream
- Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar.
- Add vanilla, cream, and a pinch of salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Level and layer the cakes with buttercream in between.
- Frost the entire outside with a smooth layer of buttercream. Chill until firm.
3. Create the Rainbow Drip
- For each color, heat white chocolate and cream until melted and smooth.
- Stir in gel food coloring until vivid.
- Allow ganache to cool slightly, then drip each color around the edge of the chilled cake using a spoon or squeeze bottle.
- Let the colors slightly overlap for a natural rainbow effect.
4. Decorate and Serve
- Garnish with edible gold flakes or your favorite sprinkles.
- Chill to set drips before slicing. Store leftovers covered in the fridge.
Tips for Success
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant, true-to-life rainbow colors.
- Chill the cake well before applying the drips for clean lines.
- For a taller cake, double the layers or use 8-inch pans and adjust bake time.
