✌🏻 ✌🏻
About last night … we spontaneously decided to m About last night … we spontaneously decided to make a @crumblcookies run at 8:30 and snagged a front seat to Mother Nature’s show. 😍
I took five books with me when we went on a little I took five books with me when we went on a little vacation in May, and got through two of them, one of which was The Magnolia Story. You are, no doubt, familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines, but you might not know how they became so popular or how their business exploded. This book, told by both of them, shares their journey from their dating stages to just a few years ago. It’s quite amazing how their path unfolded, with the universe seemingly guiding them every single step of the way. Every time they hit a crossroads, they received clear signs to continue to point them in the right direction. It was interesting to learn more about their story, and a great reminder that you need to trust in yourself and follow your passions, and everything really does just fall into place. Chip has his own book out too, Capital Gaines, which I added to my list after I read this one. If you’re curious about their story or just need confirmation to continue to chase your dreams, read this one. ✨ #catesbookaweek 6/52
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the w “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” – Roald Dahl ✨
We’ve been dog sitting Gracie while my sister an We’ve been dog sitting Gracie while my sister and her family were away. She has settled into a new routine here (ours 😂), and now doesn’t get up until after 9 am, stays up until well past midnight, eats a very late dinner, knows that the kitchen is where the magic happens and sits for a treat after her morning backyard visit. We’ve broken her in nicely but she will be returning with her continued bad habit of suffering from #fomo, playing tag with the cats, and barking every time she hears a door open or sees someone go up the street. We did our best. 😇
The rewards of a weekend of farmers marketing! Gar The rewards of a weekend of farmers marketing! Garlic butter and bleu cheese butter from @njgarlic (the bleu on steak! 😍), empanadas from @catalina_empanadas_2017, half sour pickles from @pickleculture and the quiche and bread were from a vendor I forgot to get the name of. This was all from the @bernardsvillefarmersmarket. Today I hit the @denvillemarket and added full sour pickles from @pickle_licious and a roasted garlic and duck fat loaf and cheese biscuit from @bobolinkdairyandbakehouse. Basically give us all the bread, cheese, butter and pickles and we’re happy campers! Did you hit up a farmers market this weekend? What’d ya get?
Sometimes rules are meant to be broken, and so it Sometimes rules are meant to be broken, and so it is with the gnocchi from Trader Joe’s. Skip what their directions tell you and pan fry them in olive oil, add some of their 4-green bag of vegetables, salt, pepper, drizzles of pesto and a sprinkle of parm. So freaking good and dinner on the table faster than you can order take out. 🤤
✨As far as first day of summer sunsets go, this ✨As far as first day of summer sunsets go, this one is pretty alright. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Rainbow Cake Deconstructed

June 18, 2009 · Narrative

Naked Cake

Whoa!  My e-mail box overfloweth more than usual … all about the rainbow cake!  I love that one too.  Every time I look at it, it just puts a big smile on my face.  How could it not with those bright, vibrant happy colors?  So to answer the questions in one big swoop, here are a few notes:

* The cake recipe?  Two boxes of white cake mix.  Total cheat city.  But you know what?  That’s ok.  With this type of cake, where there are other details and things to take care of, I think it’s perfectly fine to cheat.  I happened to use Pillsbury (with pudding in the mix), but am sure any would do, as would a cake from scratch, of course.

* Follow the directions on the cake mix, mixing the two boxes and associated ingredients together in one big bowl. Divide the batter amongst six bowls so you can color the batter.

* Now for the color.  For these vibrant colors, you can’t use regular food coloring because it produces more pale colors.  You need icing color, which is much more concentrated (Wilton makes some, for example).  You need lots less and it goes far.  You can find it in cake decorating aisles of stores like Michael’s and AC Moore (usually sold in a small box of 8-10 small containers of different colors).  You really need just a speck or two of the color in each bowl.  Add more as desired to get the shade you want.

*  Put the batter into six round cake pans that have been lightly greased.  It worked out to roughly 1-1/4 cup of batter in each pan.

A Peek Inside

*  Bake at the oven temperature specified for your particular mix, but because the layers are a bit smaller, the time in the oven needs to be adjusted.  Start checking the cake at about 12 minutes.  Mine were done at around 14 minutes.

* While the cakes are cooling, make your frosting.  When the cakes are cooled, cut off a thin bit of cake from each top so your layers are very flat.  Since they tend to dome a smidge when baking, if you don’t level it a bit, the cake will topple over in no time flat since we’re building it so high.

*  For the frosting, I used buttercream, my favorite.  I spread a thin layer of frosting in between each cake layer, and then all over the tops and sides.

Enjoy!

P.S.  You can find the original Rainbow Cake post here, along with more pictures.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Rainbow Cake

Comments

  1. Claire says

    June 18, 2009 at 11:55 pm

    Yay…I am totally going to make this sometime! SUPER cute!

    Claires last blog post..Summer Muffins

    Reply
  2. Starnesfam says

    June 19, 2009 at 12:45 am

    I saw this on the Whatever blog. Such a cute cake! Have had a couple of friends make it and they say the food coloring makes all the difference. Need to try it!

    Starnesfams last blog post..This Week

    Reply
  3. MariaV says

    June 19, 2009 at 5:26 am

    I’m going to make this as soon as I get the coloring.

    I may also try a red, white, and blue cake for July 4th.

    Reply
  4. Joanne says

    June 19, 2009 at 8:42 am

    I continue to be amazed by this cake. Each picture is so pleasing to my eyes.

    Joannes last blog post..Regional Recipes – Korea

    Reply
  5. Ramona says

    June 19, 2009 at 9:49 am

    Thanks for breaking it down for us.

    Ramona

    Ramonas last blog post..The most expensive plant

    Reply
  6. Debbie says

    June 19, 2009 at 9:56 am

    That is a great looking cake! My youngest son would love that! Now if only rainbow cookies were this easy to make!

    Debbies last blog post..My One Year Blogging Anniversary and Birthday!!

    Reply
  7. Sarah Caron says

    June 19, 2009 at 10:43 pm

    Oooooh! You told me it was easy … but that REALLY is easy. I think I might have to make that. Perhaps for Will’s birthday this year … I think he would be delighted.

    Sarah Carons last blog post..Fertile Fridays: Gardening is So Fulfilling

    Reply
  8. patsyk says

    June 20, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    I really want to make this… just need a good excuse now!

    Reply
  9. Janet says

    June 21, 2009 at 2:00 am

    This just totally makes me smile- I LOVE it!!

    Reply
  10. pamela says

    June 21, 2009 at 9:46 pm

    Love this cake!! It’s adorable. I am definitely searching for a reason to make it now, since I know the kids would absolutely LOVE it!

    Reply
  11. Cate says

    June 22, 2009 at 11:05 pm

    Pamela – someone suggested on the first post that it would make a great fourth of july cake, and I’m thinking that’s the perfect reason!

    Janet – me too!

    Patsy – 4th of July! :)

    Sarah – no excuses now!

    Ramona – no problem. :)

    Debbie – totally! I have seen a few other versions where they did it all in one layer, adding one color after the other, and it comes out looking like a tie-dyed cake, another fun version.

    Starnesfam – yes, I’ve seen it in a bunch of places – there, another version that is WW-friendly and made with soda, a few tie-dyed versions… seems to be popping up all over the place lately.

    Claire – hope you make it!

    Reply
  12. Heather says

    July 6, 2009 at 12:31 am

    OMG…that is the coolest cake EVER! This may just be the inspiration I need to make my kids a birthday cake. Love it! What a great idea!

    Reply
  13. arre says

    July 12, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    i love this cake! i saw it elsewhere a few months back (maybe on isuwannee?) but am sure it orginated with you since all of your post are drool-worthy! xx

    Reply
  14. Meg says

    July 28, 2009 at 9:24 am

    I’m completely in love with this cake, too! I’m not entirely sure if my own baking skills could be up to snuff to make it, but for the moment I’ll keep admiring your lovely photos :)

    Reply
  15. Maria says

    October 12, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    Oh my! Now I want to have a baby girl to make her a Rainbow Brite cake! It looks absolutely yummy!!!

    Reply
  16. Jujichan says

    November 2, 2009 at 2:27 am

    this is a cute idea xD I will be doing this for my upcoming 20th birthday party since the theme is all about colors, techno music and cute things!

    Reply
  17. Jessi says

    September 22, 2010 at 10:46 pm

    Love this idea! I made this for my nieces 6th birthday last weekend and it was a hit. I love everything rainbows and colorful so I did light blue frosting and a rainbow on the top. I wanted to say thank you for sharing because this idea really “takes the cake” Thank you!

    Reply
  18. Christa aka the BabbyMama says

    February 25, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    Trying this today for my daughter’s second birthday party – it’s rainbow themed! The layers are cooling, and the whole thing will be assembled tomorrow :)

    Reply

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✌🏻 ✌🏻
About last night … we spontaneously decided to m About last night … we spontaneously decided to make a @crumblcookies run at 8:30 and snagged a front seat to Mother Nature’s show. 😍
I took five books with me when we went on a little I took five books with me when we went on a little vacation in May, and got through two of them, one of which was The Magnolia Story. You are, no doubt, familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines, but you might not know how they became so popular or how their business exploded. This book, told by both of them, shares their journey from their dating stages to just a few years ago. It’s quite amazing how their path unfolded, with the universe seemingly guiding them every single step of the way. Every time they hit a crossroads, they received clear signs to continue to point them in the right direction. It was interesting to learn more about their story, and a great reminder that you need to trust in yourself and follow your passions, and everything really does just fall into place. Chip has his own book out too, Capital Gaines, which I added to my list after I read this one. If you’re curious about their story or just need confirmation to continue to chase your dreams, read this one. ✨ #catesbookaweek 6/52
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the w “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” – Roald Dahl ✨

Pinterest

✌🏻 ✌🏻
About last night … we spontaneously decided to m About last night … we spontaneously decided to make a @crumblcookies run at 8:30 and snagged a front seat to Mother Nature’s show. 😍
I took five books with me when we went on a little I took five books with me when we went on a little vacation in May, and got through two of them, one of which was The Magnolia Story. You are, no doubt, familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines, but you might not know how they became so popular or how their business exploded. This book, told by both of them, shares their journey from their dating stages to just a few years ago. It’s quite amazing how their path unfolded, with the universe seemingly guiding them every single step of the way. Every time they hit a crossroads, they received clear signs to continue to point them in the right direction. It was interesting to learn more about their story, and a great reminder that you need to trust in yourself and follow your passions, and everything really does just fall into place. Chip has his own book out too, Capital Gaines, which I added to my list after I read this one. If you’re curious about their story or just need confirmation to continue to chase your dreams, read this one. ✨ #catesbookaweek 6/52
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the w “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” – Roald Dahl ✨
We’ve been dog sitting Gracie while my sister an We’ve been dog sitting Gracie while my sister and her family were away. She has settled into a new routine here (ours 😂), and now doesn’t get up until after 9 am, stays up until well past midnight, eats a very late dinner, knows that the kitchen is where the magic happens and sits for a treat after her morning backyard visit. We’ve broken her in nicely but she will be returning with her continued bad habit of suffering from #fomo, playing tag with the cats, and barking every time she hears a door open or sees someone go up the street. We did our best. 😇
The rewards of a weekend of farmers marketing! Gar The rewards of a weekend of farmers marketing! Garlic butter and bleu cheese butter from @njgarlic (the bleu on steak! 😍), empanadas from @catalina_empanadas_2017, half sour pickles from @pickleculture and the quiche and bread were from a vendor I forgot to get the name of. This was all from the @bernardsvillefarmersmarket. Today I hit the @denvillemarket and added full sour pickles from @pickle_licious and a roasted garlic and duck fat loaf and cheese biscuit from @bobolinkdairyandbakehouse. Basically give us all the bread, cheese, butter and pickles and we’re happy campers! Did you hit up a farmers market this weekend? What’d ya get?
Sometimes rules are meant to be broken, and so it Sometimes rules are meant to be broken, and so it is with the gnocchi from Trader Joe’s. Skip what their directions tell you and pan fry them in olive oil, add some of their 4-green bag of vegetables, salt, pepper, drizzles of pesto and a sprinkle of parm. So freaking good and dinner on the table faster than you can order take out. 🤤
✨As far as first day of summer sunsets go, this ✨As far as first day of summer sunsets go, this one is pretty alright. ✨

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