“Whoa, Mom, that is totally going to fall over.”
That is definitely not what I want to hear as I’m attempting to frost a six layer cake.
Unfortunately, Nick was right. It had a serious lean. I tried to fix it as best as I could before frosting it, to no avail. I held my breath as I cut the slices, hoping I could get enough cut before the Leaning Tower of Rainbow Cake fell. As soon as I cut the first slice, I might have gasped. In fact, I’m fairly certain I did. It’s just so darn pretty inside, it’s hard not to. I think this might be my favorite “kid item” that I’ve made so far. I totally love it.
When I first saw the rainbow cake a few months ago, I knew I wanted to make it to celebrate the end of the school year. Nick’s last day of first grade is tomorrow – I can’t believe he’s going to be a second grader already! He has worked really hard this year, particularly the second half, applying himself to math, slowing down while doing his work and on making his handwriting neater. I wanted to end the year in a special way, and this cake was the perfect way to do it.
Truth be told, it’s easy to make, just a little time consuming. I made the layers last night, and put it together tonight before dinner. Every time Nick was in the kitchen, he asked me what the layers were for. I told him it was a surprise and he would see what it was when he needed to. I’m all about a need-to-know basis these days. When I told the babysitter yesterday what I was making, she said, “oh, ok.” I told her later that she did not show the appropriate level of enthusiasm for such an undertaking, kidding, of course. I think she just didn’t know exactly what I was up to. But when she saw the layers today, she got excited about it. This time at the appropriate level. :) “You’re such a fun mom,” she said. I try!
I’m a big fan of tradition. New ones. Old ones. Fun ones. Stuffy ones. I’m pretty sure we may have just found a new tradition to celebrate the end-of-school every year, and hearing the shouts of glee from Nick and The Girlfriend tonight when they first saw the cake pretty much sealed the deal.
Coincidentally, the cake just happens to match Nick’s t-shirt.
Even though I was giving Madeline a few bites of my slice, apparently it wasn’t enough for her. When the kids were playing on the swingset, she swooped in and took matters into her own hands, literally and figuratively, stealing a few last bites from their plates. Even the crumbs are beautiful!
For the complete details on how to make this it’s-easier-than-it-looks cake, check out Rainbow Cake Deconstructed.
Well if that doesn’t scream celebratory then I just don’t know what does. What an awesome cake. So bright! So colorful! You are a cool mom, for sure.
Sarah Carons last blog post..Cinnamon-Sugary Goodness: Snickerdoodles
Beautiful cake… WOW!!!
SIL
This is so beautiful! I should make this for our pediatric department some time…the hospital logo is a rainbow! Cool.
Claires last blog post..April Fools!
omg this is so, so beautiful! Even a ‘big kid’ like me is attracted. U r an awesome mom :)
How purdy! The colors are so vibrant, and the cake looks really moist! So much fun to be a kid… even a big kid ;-)
Janets last blog post..Peach Blueberry Galette
Fabulous cake! I want to make one just for myself.
That is an INTENSE cake, you are totally an awesome mom! It really is gorgeous. I didn’t know that Nick had a girlfriend – how cute.
Joannes last blog post..The Great Scape
‘far-out man’ wow that cake is ‘trippin’ its a psychedelic overload
doggybloggys last blog post..cheese update
That is a beautiful cake Cate! Great job.
Cathys last blog post..Uh oh………….
That was a great cake! They both got a kick out of it! I’m glad we got to share in the last day of school festivities!
Really pretty. I noticed right away that the cake matched Nick’s shirt.
Funny, 1st grader with a girlfriend. Your little one won’t be getting married next year will she? Just kidding….
Wonderful cake, know the kids loved it. Colors are great. How fun.
Ramona
Ramonas last blog post..Don’t throw those away…..
Wow, this is really pretty. You are a cool mom.
You’ve got me wanting to attempt the rainbow cake now! I know my boys would love seeing those colorful slices go into their bellies! :)
Patsys last blog post..PARENTS Magazine: 10 Best Family Restaurants
BTW, is this just a basic recipe with coloring in it AND did you cook the layers as six separate layers?
Claires last blog post..April Fools!
How pretty!!!
katies last blog post..Garlic Lover’s Pasta; Vocabulary-Free?
What a fun momma you are!
I think my guys (age 18 and 21) wouldn’t mind a cake like that, too.
Great pixs, too
Faith Kramers last blog post..Not Your Grandmother’s Beet Borscht
Love it! And congratulations to Nick!
Kalyns last blog post..Recipe for Marinated Fresh Mozzarella with Herbs
Oh so colorful!
tigerfishs last blog post..Roast Chicken with Spices
that is incredible, looks amazing!!!
ttfn300s last blog post..An Easy App
You are totally a cool mom! That is one incredible looking cake! I know if I show this to my daughter she will demand I make it too :)
Natasha – 5 Star Foodies last blog post..Collard Wrapped Sockeye Salmon with Shiitake Mushrooms and Fried Potato Cream
LOVE THIS!! it’s like rainbow bright on a mission to teach the world how to bake. and who didn’t love rainbow bright???
kiss my spatulas last blog post..Lawnmower Coconut Cupcakes
I love that!! I’ve seen rainbow cakes before, but have never made one, yet. I love all the bright colors. Maybe I’ll give it a go, since I have 2 kiddy birthdays this summer! =)
Oh my goodness that is a fantastic looking cake! I am of the mindset that cake sets off any celebration and when the cake looks like THAT, it’s bound to be a good time!
Would a dowel down the center help keep it upright? Don’t they do that for wedding cakes? I think I’d try it using a white (instead of yellow) cake mix for July 4th… Will have to check my Wilton colors when I get home, but I’m sure there must be a red and a blue in there. (I just hope they haven’t dried out! LOL!)
you. are. my. HERO. might i suggest thinner and wider layers though, to keep it from falling over? but i do like the thickness of the layers in your cake. i’ve been thinking about making a rainbow cake for a while (: i didnt know it could look so phenominally beautiful though!! this cake is an exquisite piece of work, thank you for sharing with us (:
<3 !n$@n!ty, at its very finest.
WOW!! Thats great, not what comes to mind when i think of a Rainbow cake. But this is a REAL Rainbow cake, others can not compair!! Great Idea. love it I will be talking about this to friends :-)
thiz cake looks amazin
but at the same time it looks
hard to make hahah i have to go
I love bright colors…this is soo me!! Thanks for sharing!
this cake is awesome! not only can i not wait to try to make it, i used it as an example of rainbow foods on a recent post on my blog.
Here is another brave soul who attempted this:
http://www.homebakedonline.com/2010/04/rainbow-birthday-cake-with-white.html
Where do I get the full range of those gorgeous rainbow recipes???!!! Please, please – my daughter is driving me crazy for a rainbow cooking session!!!
Hey, I would love to make this, can you pass along the recipe?
Jen