A unicorn cake is a popular and whimsical cake design that features a unicorn theme, often characterized by bright colors, a spiral horn, and a playful, magical look.
Rainbow Unicorn Cake
A rainbow unicorn cake is a delightful, colorful dessert perfect for special occasions like birthday parties, baby showers, and other celebrations. It typically features multiple layers of cake, often vanilla or funfetti, stacked to create a tall and impressive treat.
The cake is decorated with a buttercream frosting mane in vibrant rainbow colors, resembling a unicorn’s mane, complete with ears, eyes, and a horn. Despite its elaborate appearance, a unicorn cake is surprisingly easy to make, even for beginners. You can use boxed cake mix or bake it from scratch, and the decorations can be customized with different colors and candies to suit any event.
I’m excited to show you this cute rainbow unicorn cake. It’s a simple cut-out cake that reminds me of the birthday cake cookies and cat birthday cake I loved as a kid.
What You’ll Need Ingredients
Cake
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (various colors for the mane)
- Gold edible glitter or gold food paint (for the horn)
Decorations
- Unicorn horn (can be made from fondant or purchased)
- Edible eyes (can be made from fondant or purchased)
- Piping bags and various piping tips
How to Make an Easy Unicorn Cake
1. Bake the Cake Layers
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your cake pans by greasing and lining them with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Mix in the eggs, milk, and vanilla until everything is well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until smooth. Pour the batter evenly into the pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool for 10 minutes, then wrap in plastic wrap and freeze.
2. Prepare the Buttercream Frosting
- Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in vanilla and milk until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Divide the frosting into several bowls and mix in different food colors for decorating.
3. Assemble and Frost the Cake
- Place a layer of cake on a cake board or serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting on top and add another cake layer. Repeat until all layers are stacked.
- Spread a thin layer of frosting over the whole cake to lock in the crumbs. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Cover the cake with a generous layer of buttercream frosting. Use a piping bag to create a colorful mane, ears, eyes, and horn.
4. Decorate the Cake
- For the mane, pipe the colored frosting in rosettes or other designs to mimic a unicorn’s mane.
- Attach pre-made or homemade decorations such as the unicorn horn and edible eyes.
- Use additional colored frosting to add details and final touches, like the tail and facial features.
5. Finish and Serve
- Chill the decorated cake for a short time to set the frosting.
- Slice and serve the cake, enjoying the magical rainbow layers inside.
Tips for a Perfect Unicorn Cake
- Fondant Details: Use fondant to make precise decorations like ears and flowers. It gives your cake a professional look and allows for detailed designs.
- Flavor Variations: Add unique flavors to your cake or frosting by using different extracts, such as almond or lemon. This can give your cake a special twist.
- Chill between Steps: Chill the cake in the fridge after stacking layers and applying the crumb coat. This helps the cake set and makes decorating much easier.
- Color Harmony: Pick colors for the mane that match well together. Using pastel shades can enhance the playful look of your unicorn cake.
- Freeze Cake Layers: Freezing cake layers makes them easier to work with. If you don’t have room in the freezer, just wrap them and leave them on the counter, but freezing is ideal.
- Avoid Overbaking: Since the cakes are thinner, bake them for 30 to 35 minutes. Check with a toothpick; if it comes out clean, the cakes are done.
What is the meaning of unicorn cake?
A unicorn cake is a playful and vibrant cake made to look like a unicorn. It typically features a mane of vibrant buttercream or frosting, and may include decorations such as a unicorn horn, ears, and eyes. Often associated with magical or fantastical themes, unicorn cakes are popular for birthday parties and celebrations, particularly for children who love unicorns.
What Flavour is unicorn cake?
Unicorn cakes can come in a variety of flavors, as the term “unicorn cake” mainly refers to the cake’s appearance rather than its taste. Common flavors include vanilla, chocolate, or funfetti. The cake can be flavored to suit your preference, and the frosting is usually a rich buttercream that complements the cake’s flavor.
Where can I find toppers for unicorn horns and ears?
You can find birthday unicorn horn and ears toppers from several sources. Specialty baking supply stores often carry a variety of cake toppers, including unicorn designs. Online retailers like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay offer a wide range of pre-made and customizable unicorn toppers. Craft stores such as Michaels and Hobby Lobby also have cake decorating sections with themed options. If you prefer a custom touch, local bakeries or cake decorating shops might create personalized toppers. Additionally, you can make your own unicorn horn and ears using fondant or modeling chocolate with the help of online tutorials. This way, you can achieve the exact look you want for your unicorn cake.
Storage & Freezing for Simple Unicorn Cake Recipe
Storage
- Unfrosted Cake Layers: I store unfrosted cake layers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If I’m not using them within that time, I refrigerate them to keep them fresh for up to a week.
- Frosted Cake: I keep a frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for about 5-7 days. I use a cake dome if possible to prevent the frosting from drying out.
- Buttercream Frosting: I store leftover buttercream frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. When I’m ready to use it, I let it come to room temperature and re-whip if necessary.
Freezing
- Cake Layers: I wrap each cooled, unfrosted cake layer tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. I freeze them for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to use it, I let it sit out until it reaches room temperature and then beat it again if needed.
- Frosting: I freeze buttercream frosting in an airtight container for up to 3 months. I move it to the refrigerator to thaw overnight and re-whip it before use.
- Decorated Cake: If I need to freeze a fully decorated cake, I make sure it’s well-wrapped to prevent freezer burn. I freeze it for up to 1 month and then thaw it in the refrigerator before serving.
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Easy Rainbow Unicorn Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring various colors for the mane
- Gold edible glitter or gold food paint for the horn
Decorations
- Unicorn horn can be made from fondant or purchased
- Edible eyes can be made from fondant or purchased
- Piping bags and various piping tips
Instructions
Bake the Cake Layers
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your cake pans by greasing and lining them with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Mix in the eggs, milk, and vanilla until everything is well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until smooth. Pour the batter evenly into the pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool for 10 minutes, then wrap in plastic wrap and freeze.
Prepare the Buttercream Frosting
- Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in vanilla and milk until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Divide the frosting into several bowls and mix in different food colors for decorating.
Assemble and Frost the Cake
- Place a layer of cake on a cake board or serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting on top and add another cake layer. Repeat until all layers are stacked.
- Spread a thin layer of frosting over the whole cake to lock in the crumbs. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Cover the cake with a generous layer of buttercream frosting. Use a piping bag to create a colorful mane, ears, eyes, and horn.
Decorate the Cake
- For the mane, pipe the colored frosting in rosettes or other designs to mimic a unicorn’s mane.
- Attach pre-made or homemade decorations such as the unicorn horn and edible eyes.
- Use additional colored frosting to add details and final touches, like the tail and facial features.
Finish and Serve
- Chill the decorated cake for a short time to set the frosting.
- Slice and serve the cake, enjoying the magical rainbow layers inside.
