Sweet Things · American
Rainbow Layer Cake with Fresh Berries
Four vividly tinted vanilla sponges stack into a showstopping striped slice that always draws a gasp at birthday parties. Light vanilla frosting keeps the sweetness in check, and a tumble of strawberries and blueberries adds fresh color on the plate.
Test kitchen note: Weigh the batter into four bowls so each layer bakes to the same height; uneven layers make the stripes look lopsided when sliced.
Method 7 steps
-
Heat the oven to 350F and line four 8 inch round pans with parchment.
-
Beat 3/4 cup butter with the granulated sugar until fluffy. Add the egg whites one at a time, then 2 teaspoons vanilla.
-
Whisk the cake flour, baking powder and salt, and add to the butter mixture alternately with the milk until smooth.
-
Divide the batter evenly among four bowls and tint each a strong red, orange, yellow or green. Spread into the pans.
-
Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in the pans, then turn out and cool fully.
-
Beat the remaining butter with the powdered sugar, cream and remaining vanilla into a fluffy frosting.
-
Stack the layers green, yellow, orange and red with thin frosting between them, then frost the top and sides. Chill 30 minutes, slice, and top with a strawberry and a scatter of berries.
That is the whole pie. Enjoy every slice.
Pairs well with
Cook these next
Top rated in Sweet Things
Favourites from this slice
Russian Honey Cake (Medovik)
Thin, caramelized honey sponge layers soak up a tangy sour cream frosting overnight until the cake turns meltingly so...
Chewy Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Browning the butter first gives these cookies a deep toffee flavor, and extra brown sugar keeps the centers soft and ...
Molten Chocolate Lava Cake with Blueberry Compote
Crack the delicate crust of this individual cake and a river of warm dark chocolate spills out across the plate. Tang...
Members-only recipe
Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee with Strawberries
A trembling vanilla bean custard hides under a glassy sheet of caramelized sugar that cracks satisfyingly under a spo...