The luck of the Irish is in every bite of this St. Patrick’s Day green rainbow cake. It’s bright, happy colors are just the thing to bring some shamrock and gold to the end of the rainbow. I made four layers, but you can make as many (or as little) as you want. You can also change out the colors, if you want an actual rainbow. Below, I included a mascarpone cheese substitution, too, if you can’t find it. The cake itself is a simple vanilla cake, but not overpoweringly so.
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Contents
What I Love About This St. Patrick’s Day Green Rainbow Cake Recipe
St. Patrick’s Day is such a fun holiday. What other time of year do we get to celebrate green, green, and more green? But, this cake’s versatility allows for personalization to suit any occasion or preference.
If you’re celebrating something other than St. Patrick’s Day, adjust the color scheme to match your theme. For example, a pastel palette is perfect for Easter, while vibrant primary colors can make it a hit at a birthday party.
The recipe is adaptable to various dietary needs as well, such as using gluten-free flour for a gluten-intolerant guest. Additionally, experimenting with different frosting flavors can add an extra layer of customization to this delightful cake.
To enhance the festive appeal, consider adding edible gold leaf or green sprinkles on top for a true St. Patrick’s Day flair. If you’re hosting a larger gathering, the recipe can easily be doubled to create a taller, more impressive cake.
Lastly, for those who prefer a less sweet dessert, reducing the sugar in the cake layers and opting for a lighter frosting, such as a whipped cream topping, can create a more balanced flavor profile.
In case you want to know why green is for St. Patrick’s Day.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Cake ring or cake pan
- Whisk
- Sifter
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cooling rack
What If I Don’t Have Mascarpone Cheese?
For a homemade substitute that closely resembles the rich and creamy texture of mascarpone cheese, try this simple recipe. Combine one and a half blocks of cream cheese (equivalent to 12 ounces), softened at room temperature, with a quarter cup of heavy whipping cream and a quarter cup of sour cream.
Thoroughly mix these ingredients until they are well blended. The addition of heavy whipping cream softens the sharper flavor of the cream cheese, creating a texture and taste similar to the luxurious smoothness of mascarpone.
FAQs
- How do I ensure even and non-leaning cake layers? Using cake pans from the same brand is crucial for achieving even layers. Differences in pan sizes can lead to uneven layers, causing the cake to lean. Weighing the batter for each layer on a kitchen scale ensures equal distribution and uniformity.
- What’s the secret to vibrant cake colors? Achieving bright and vivid colors in your cake requires quality gel food coloring. Brands like Wilton and Americolor are highly recommended for their ability to provide intense colors without altering the batter’s consistency.
- How should I store the cake if there are leftovers? The frosted rainbow cake should be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to a week. If you’re in a warmer climate, it’s particularly important to keep it refrigerated. For longer storage, you can freeze the cake slices in airtight containers for up to six months.
- Can I prepare this cake in advance? Preparing the cake in advance is feasible. You can make the frosting ahead and keep it in an airtight container. Remember to color the frosting only when you’re ready to decorate. For freezing, wrap the cake layers tightly and store the frosting separately, thawing them on the counter when needed.
- What beverages or foods pair well with this cake? Considering the cake’s rich and vibrant nature, pairing it with lighter beverages like milk or tea can create a balanced taste experience. It also goes well with fruit-based desserts or a classic scoop of vanilla ice cream, adding a refreshing element to the indulgence.
- Can I adapt this recipe for gluten-free or dairy-free diets? To cater to gluten-free requirements, using gluten-free all-purpose flour is effective, and ensuring that the vanilla frosting is also gluten-free is essential. For a dairy-free version, substitute the mascarpone and cream cheese with suitable dairy-free alternatives, and check all other ingredients for dairy content.
- Is this batter suitable for making cupcakes? This versatile batter is perfect for cupcakes. Simply divide the colored batters into a muffin tin and bake. This offers a delightful alternative to the traditional layer cake presentation.
- Do all the cake layers have the same flavor? Despite the different colors, each layer of the cake has a consistent vanilla flavor. This uniformity in taste ensures that the visual variety does not overwhelm the palate.
- Is it possible to use vegetable oil instead of butter to prevent the cake from hardening in the fridge? Yes, replacing butter with vegetable oil in the cake can help maintain a softer texture, especially when refrigerated. This substitution can be particularly useful if you’re concerned about the cake becoming too firm after chilling.
- What happens if I overmix the batter when adding food coloring? Fortunately, this cake recipe is quite forgiving if you happen to overmix the batter when adding the food coloring. Despite a lot of stirring required to achieve the vibrant colors, the cake’s texture remains light and delicious.
- Can I customize the color order or selection in the cake? Yes, you have the flexibility to customize the colors and their order in the cake. This allows you to tailor the cake to specific themes or preferences, making each creation unique and personalized.
- What are some creative variations or add-ins for the cake? You can add your own touch to this whimsical cake with various add-ins. Options include decorator’s sugar for sparkle, crushed nuts for texture, miniature chocolate chips for a chocolatey twist, or different shapes of sprinkles for various occasions. You can also opt for a cake mix instead of making the cake from scratch for convenience. Or add some shamrock-inspired toppings.
St. Patrick's Day Green Rainbow Cake
Indulge in a vibrant and creamy delight with this homemade Rainbow Cake, perfect for adding a splash of color to any celebration.
Ingredients
- 5 large eggs
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- assorted food colorings
For the Cream
- 2 cups mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (~200 degrees Celsius) and grease your cake ring or pan.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until they are completely dissolved and have a frothy texture.
- Gently blend in the oil and the melted butter.
- Sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, adding the vanilla extract.
- Divide the batter equally into separate bowls, one for each color of the rainbow. Add food coloring to each bowl to achieve the desired hues.
- Pour each colored batter into the prepared cake ring or pan, baking each layer for about 15-17 minutes or until done.
- While the cake layers are baking, prepare the cream. In a separate bowl, mix the mascarpone, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract using a mixer until smooth and well-combined.
- Once the cake layers have completely cooled, carefully assemble the cake, spreading the cream between each layer.
- Chill the assembled cake in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Notes
- Ensure each cake layer is fully cooled before assembly to prevent the cream from melting.
- You can adjust the intensity of the colors by varying the amount of food coloring.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 1061Total Fat 81gSaturated Fat 40gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 33gCholesterol 304mgSodium 717mgCarbohydrates 71gFiber 1gSugar 37gProtein 15g
Nutrition automatically generated.
The Final: St. Patrick’s Day Green Rainbow Cake Recipe
O.M.G. This cake is so drool-worthy. Except I’m now going to eat the whole damn thing.
