Print

Rainbow Cloud Cake

rainbow cloud cake - featured image
Print Recipe

This dreamy pastel rainbow cloud cake features soft, pillowy vanilla layers swirled with watercolor pastels and topped with fluffy cloud-like frosting. It’s a show-stopping, customizable dessert perfect for birthdays, baby showers, or any celebration that needs a touch of whimsy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) neutral oil (canola or vegetable oil)
  • 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
  • Pastel gel food coloring: pink, yellow, green, blue, lavender
  • 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted (for frosting)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) whole milk or heavy cream (for frosting, adjust for consistency)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt (for frosting)
  • 1/2 cup (120g) marshmallow fluff (optional, for frosting)
  • Pastel gel food coloring for cloud accents (optional, for frosting)
  • Pastel sprinkles or edible glitter (optional, for decorating)
  • Mini meringues or marshmallows (optional, for decorating)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch round cake pans, line bottoms with parchment, and dust with flour.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In another large bowl or stand mixer, beat butter and oil until smooth and creamy. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each. Add vanilla and mix until combined.
  5. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly into 5 bowls. Tint each with a different pastel gel food coloring (pink, yellow, green, blue, lavender). Gently stir to combine.
  7. Spoon random dollops of each colored batter into prepared pans, alternating shades for a marbled effect. Swirl gently with a toothpick or skewer.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean and cakes spring back lightly. Rotate pans halfway through baking.
  9. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn onto racks, remove parchment, and let cool completely.
  10. For the frosting: In a large bowl, beat butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk or cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy, 3-5 minutes. If using, fold in marshmallow fluff. Adjust milk for spreadable consistency.
  11. To assemble: Place one cake layer on a stand. Spread frosting on top. Repeat with remaining layers. Frost sides and top with a thick coat.
  12. Pipe fluffy ‘cloud’ blobs with remaining frosting using a piping bag or zip-top bag. Decorate with pastel sprinkles, edible glitter, or mini meringues/marshmallows as desired. Optionally, dab pastel food coloring on clouds for a watercolor effect.

Notes

For best pastel colors, use gel food coloring and start with a tiny amount. Room temperature ingredients help create a fluffy batter. If you need gluten-free or dairy-free options, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and plant-based dairy alternatives. Chill frosting if too soft before piping. Cake tastes even better on day two after flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: rainbow cake, pastel cake, birthday cake, cloud cake, unicorn cake, kids birthday, baby shower dessert, easy cake recipe, vanilla cake, pastel dessert

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/rainbow-cloud-cake-recipe-easy-pastel-birthday-dessert-ideas/