Description
This vibrant and whimsical Unicorn Cake recipe is perfect for celebrations, featuring moist layers of vanilla cake and luscious buttercream frosting colored in enchanting shades of purple, pink, and blue. The cake is rich, creamy, and visually stunning, making it a true showstopper for any special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 2 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 4 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 6 cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 9 large eggs
- 3 cups whole milk
- 3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Buttercream Frosting Batch 1
- 6 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 12 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 6 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons whole milk
Buttercream Frosting Batch 2
- 3 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup whole milk
- 3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Additional
- Food coloring: purple, pink, dark purple, blue, and black
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Gradually add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk to the creamed mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour multiple cake pans suitable for the batter volume. Divide the batter evenly among the pans and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely on wire racks before frosting.
- Make the Buttercream Frostings: For the first batch, beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1-2 tablespoons of milk, beating until light and fluffy. Repeat this process with the second batch of frosting ingredients, adjusting milk quantity to achieve desired consistency. Separate portions of the frosting and tint with food coloring to create various shades of purple, pink, dark purple, blue, and black for decoration.
- Assemble and Decorate the Cake: Once the cake layers have cooled completely, level them if necessary. Spread a layer of buttercream between each cake layer to stack. Use the different colored buttercream frostings to create a whimsical, ombré, and unicorn-themed design, piping swirls, rosettes, or other decorations as desired. Chill the cake briefly to set the frosting before serving.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Sift flour and powdered sugar to avoid lumps in the batter and frosting.
- Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without altering frosting consistency.
- The recipe yields 12 generous slices, perfect for parties.
- Buttercream quantities are substantial to allow for decorative piping and coverage.
