Hey there, fellow art enthusiasts! Robert Kline here, and today we’re diving into the vibrant world of baking with a recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to look at: a Vegan Rainbow Cake!
This isn’t just any cake – it’s a celebration of color, creativity, and inclusivity. Whether you’re celebrating Pride Month, a birthday, or simply the joy of baking, this cake is sure to brighten your day. The best part? It’s naturally vegan, eggless, and dairy-free, relying on the magic of natural food coloring to achieve its stunning hues.
Gathering Your Artistic Supplies: Ingredients for a Vegan Rainbow Cake
Just like any art project, we need the right materials. Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece:
For the Rainbow Cake:
- 1 1/4 cups (300 grams) unsweetened dairy-free milk, room temperature
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 2/3 cups (460 grams) all-purpose flour or gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour, sifted
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/4 cup (250 grams) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (170 grams) salted vegan butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup (190 grams) unsweetened applesauce, room temperature
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- Vegan red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple food colorings (liquid or powder)
For the Vegan Vanilla Buttercream:
- 2 cups salted vegan butter, softened
- 4 cups organic powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–4 tbsp unsweetened dairy-free milk
Unleashing Your Inner Baker: Step-by-Step Guide
Now that we have our ingredients, let’s get those creative juices flowing and bake this rainbow!
1. Preparing the Canvas: Prepping the Cake Pans
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Just like priming a canvas, we need to prepare our cake pans. Grease six 6-inch cake pans with cooking oil and line them with parchment paper. If you only have three pans, don’t worry! You can bake the cake in two batches.
2. Mixing the Magic: Creating the Vegan Buttermilk and Batter
- In a small bowl, combine the dairy-free milk and apple cider vinegar. This simple mixture creates our vegan buttermilk, adding a wonderful fluffiness to the cake.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. This dry mixture ensures a light and airy texture.
- Now, let’s cream together the vegan butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. This adds sweetness and richness to our cake.
- Add in the applesauce and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and vegan buttermilk to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix!
3. Painting the Rainbow: Dividing and Coloring the Batter
- This is where the real fun begins! Divide the batter evenly into six bowls.
- Add a different vegan food coloring to each bowl, mixing gently until the color is evenly distributed. Remember, we’re aiming for vibrant, distinct layers.
4. Baking the Masterpiece: From Batter to Colorful Layers
- Pour the colored batter into the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Creating the Finishing Touch: Making the Vegan Vanilla Buttercream
- While the cakes are cooling, let’s whip up our delicious frosting. In a large bowl, cream together the softened vegan butter until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until a thick and creamy buttercream forms.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and dairy-free milk, adjusting the consistency to your liking.
6. Assembling the Rainbow: Frosting and Decorating
- Once the cakes are completely cool, it’s time to assemble our rainbow. Place one layer of cake on a cake stand or serving plate.
- Spread a thin layer of buttercream over the cake.
- Repeat with the remaining layers, ensuring that the colors are stacked in the desired rainbow order.
- Frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream, smoothing it out with an offset spatula or butter knife.
Tips and Tricks from Robert Kline Art
- Natural Vegan Food Colors: I highly recommend using natural food colorings for this recipe. Brands like Suncore Foods offer a vibrant array of plant-based colors that are just as visually stunning as their artificial counterparts.
- Gluten-Free Option: To make this cake gluten-free, simply swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour.
- Decorating Fun: Let your creativity shine when decorating! You can add sprinkles, create colorful swirls with the frosting, or even top it with fresh fruit.
Conclusion: A Deliciously Colorful Creation
And there you have it! A stunning Vegan Rainbow Cake that’s as delicious as it is beautiful. This cake is a testament to the fact that vegan baking can be just as decadent and visually appealing as traditional baking.
I encourage you to give this recipe a try and share your colorful creations with me. Remember, baking is an art form, and just like with any other form of art, the most important ingredient is to have fun!