eating the rainbow.
to ease my guilt of how honestly UNhappy i was that it was the last day of school...
i made a cake to help them celebrate.
i had seen versions of the rainbow cake and decided "today's the day!" to make my own.
it's not too difficult.
but it does take some time.
i just used TWO white cake mixes.
following the instructions on the box.
then i divided it up into 6 bowls evenly which turned out to be 1.5 cups in each bowl.
i had all these Wilton Icing colors already...from all the other birthday cakes i have done in the past.
(find them at walmart, hobby lobby, micheals in the cake decorator isle but not the CAKE MIX isle)
also you could use the gel colors in the cake mix isle...i think it's the same thing.
the drop kind of food coloring will NOT work for these bright colors...your rainbow would be pastels.
and if you only have five eggs...you can call your neighbor for one more.
even if you JUST went to the store to buy the cake mix ten minutes before.
add a teaspoon of color into each bowl and stir.
it's so easy a four year old can do it.
i used 9" round cake pans.
make sure you grease them well with shortening or baking spray.
this is a crucial step in making fancy cakes that i think some skimp and then you are screwed stuck.
my cakes were done in 12 minutes.
flip them out on to cooling racks and let them sit till they are completely cool.
it is pure happiness to make.
even the dishes are happy.
just keep baking & don't think about the kids will be home for three whole months in two more hours...
i made the cool whip frosting i have shared before to frost this.
when you make a layer cake you have to cut your cakes to make them flat....but you knew that.
i don't have a picture though.
you take a big knife (or even a tool that is made just for flattening cakes)
and you cut off the round part of the top of the cake that rises in the oven.
you can let your kids or husband eat that so they leave you alone while you frost the cake.
(you stay away from that turkey...you'll get worms!....name that movie)
then you layer it up...rainbow style.
spread frosting in between each layer.
then around the whole thing.
(do you know the trick about putting a skim layer of frosting first to seal in all the crumbs...
stick it in the refridgerator to harden...
then another coat after that of thick frosting? yes, you did? ok...sorry)
i didn't show the other kids so when we cut it they were so surprised.
the lighting makes my purple layer look weird.
but it was purple...i promise.
we had lots of other kids here playing and it was a hit.
i heard sean say "do you want some cake? my mom made it for the end of school!"
smile.
cake can solve the world's problems.
5 months later and you have comments, I LOVE THIS. You're some sort of genius or whatnot, what an idea.
Posted by: Shini | October 30, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Amazing, just amazing! Thank you so much for sharing ... and your photographs are awesome!
:-)
Posted by: Lennie | October 29, 2009 at 07:06 PM
this is so beautiful! this cake looks excellent and i could imagine it was a great time making and eating.
Posted by: Rachel | October 29, 2009 at 07:47 AM
This cake would bring a smile to anyone's face I think. I really need to buy 4 more 9" cake pans and make this for somebody...
Posted by: m. heart | October 29, 2009 at 06:46 AM
this is the most awesome cake ive seen! what a wonderful and fun thing to do for the kids. :) I want to try this now.
Posted by: Muffin | October 29, 2009 at 01:18 AM
Loooooooved the cake, already made it myself! Congrats on such a great blog :)
Posted by: Pera Chapita | October 28, 2009 at 10:22 PM
yummy! I am definately gonna try and make this today!
Posted by: Holly | August 15, 2009 at 06:40 AM
Thank you so much for such a wonderful idea! I really love this, I've got to make it one of these days!
Posted by: DreamGirlLisa | August 13, 2009 at 09:47 PM
Just saw this linked and linked again from a friend's blog. I made it today for my family- thanks for the inspiration!!!
Posted by: Melinda W. | August 02, 2009 at 06:43 PM
I am SO in love with this cake. I hope you don't mind that I featured your pic on my blog. Thanks!
Posted by: Marcela | July 28, 2009 at 06:16 PM
Haven't made this cake yet, and already I feel happier! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Colleen | July 27, 2009 at 04:30 PM
I love this! My daughter is having her 5th birthday soon and while looking for ideas I came across this! Now I don't have to look any more! Thank you so much for the great idea. I am going to do this. When I have finished and post it, I will definetly link back to your site! Thanks so much!
Posted by: Amy | July 14, 2009 at 01:33 PM
I can't thank you enough for posting this cake. I saw it in May & have saved it for this Saturday (7/11). My little man is turning 2 & we're having his party at Gymboree. The bright colors in this cake match the brightly colored Gymboree location. I also took the cake idea & made invitations with color strips. Because of this one post a party was planned.
THANK YOU
Posted by: Tiffany | July 08, 2009 at 11:24 AM
I AM making this for my daughter's birthday! Thanks for the idea. I linked to it at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
Posted by: michelle johnnie | June 21, 2009 at 08:00 AM
I love this cake. I need to find a reason to make it.
Posted by: LisaC | June 20, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Oh My Goodness! I must have this cake!!
Posted by: Lisa K in FL | June 18, 2009 at 07:17 PM
What an awesome cake!!!!
Posted by: Frugal Carol | June 16, 2009 at 01:35 PM
I just made this for my sons robot party and it was a hit! I am going to link to you blog on my post later tonight :)
Posted by: Emilie | June 13, 2009 at 05:49 PM
I have a few major events coming up. 3 birthdays, an Anniversary and a Baby Shower. I'm making this cake for all of them!
Posted by: naomi | June 08, 2009 at 09:49 AM
I made a rainbow cake several years ago for my daughter'e Wizard of Oz birthday party. The outside of the cake was vanilla frosting with chocolate swirled through it to signify how the movie started out black and white and the tornado came through. The inside of the cake was rainbow layers. The colors were achieved using KoolAid mixes of different flavors. It was pretty cool - even Grandpa liked it! Hmmm, I think a cake might be in order for the last day of school here, too!
Posted by: Patty | May 30, 2009 at 01:22 PM
I made it...with the kids help...GREAT SUCCESS!!! ;)
Posted by: Shannon | May 29, 2009 at 09:49 AM
This cake is AWESOME! My sister has the funniest story about making this!
Posted by: Lesley | May 28, 2009 at 12:06 PM
You TRULY inspire me!! This is my first comment ever but this cake is totally comment worthy. You inspired me to make this for my girls last day of school,which was today. I have NEVER made a cake before but thought this would be fun. MY GIRLS WERE IN HEAVEN and it looked good too! I feel so domesticated today and the thanks goes to you. Thanks for the step by step directions and hints and pics!!! I also used your icing and everyone LOVVVVVEEDD it! You are awesome!!
Posted by: Shari | May 27, 2009 at 03:13 PM
Meg, LOVE your site and this cake. Going to try to talk Kate out of the "Barbie" cake for her birthday next month and make (or try to make) a rainbow cake!! Hope to talk to you soon. Have fun in California.
Posted by: Dana Maxfield | May 27, 2009 at 08:38 AM
was there rainbow poo too the next day? :-)
(that's the nicest way i could think of putting it.)
Posted by: pam | May 26, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Great cake!!
Posted by: Randi | May 26, 2009 at 02:31 PM
Okay, you convinced me, I will make this cake for the neighborhood kids and have it waiting on a card tale on the last day of school (June 3). I will be a big hit, and I will give all the kudos to you. When you are mentioning with distain that you are "that kind of mom", try to take a minute to remember that you are also "this kind of mom".
Posted by: Mrs. | May 26, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Wow that is something wonderful. Just as yummy to look at as eat. My 3 year olds eyes just bugged out when he saw the picture! I just might have to attempt this sometime this summer! So I've FINALLY done a new post and you'll see why I've been MIA. I have been peeking in on your fabulous posts though.. they always add a smile to my day!
xx Trina
Posted by: Trina McNeilly | May 26, 2009 at 08:38 AM
I didn't know that trick! Keep it coming :)
Posted by: Kate | May 25, 2009 at 06:28 PM
hey....remember me? from back when you use to get like 16 comments :)?
I just saw this recipe on another friends blog, but she never showed a picture of it cut. It is so pretty! Like a cake a unicorn would have at it's birthday :).
Thanks for sharing. I think I'll come up with an occasion to make this!
Posted by: Jennifer P. | May 24, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Love the cake...it makes you SMILE! I talked to you at church today and we would love for you to take pics of our family. Just let me know works best...Thanks!
Posted by: Kelli | May 24, 2009 at 08:32 PM
I love this idea; I do not think I could execute it with the grace you have shown. Please send me a bit of your talent...this is a darlng blog.
Posted by: jana | May 24, 2009 at 02:55 PM
i have seen this cake all over the blogsphere and i so desperately want to make it! My son gets out of school/graduates kindergarten on the 5th so I think i'll make it for him then, soo fun!!!
Posted by: jimaiemarie | May 24, 2009 at 01:46 PM
great! my 4 year old just walked by as i was drooling over this cake......she has birthday on her mind.." thats the cake I WANT" great...can i send you a plane ticket in July...you might need a break by then! and there is no way i can pull that off! thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Jess | May 24, 2009 at 01:42 PM
That cake is fantastic!!! I LOVE IT!
Posted by: lilyhaven | May 24, 2009 at 10:16 AM
that is THE cutest cake EVER!!!! i can't wait to try it!
Posted by: meaghan easterhaus | May 24, 2009 at 07:57 AM
Good Lord Meg! Mother of the Year award!
Posted by: Elisa | May 24, 2009 at 07:40 AM
Love it. Will do it on June 4th!
Posted by: wendy | May 23, 2009 at 10:36 PM
This is great! I JUST made a rainbow/tie-dye cake for my mom's birthday last night! Mine turned out fabulous, and I love how you layered yours!
I read your blog all the time, but don't always leave comments, but I felt this was comment worthy!
Good luck having the kids home all summer!
Posted by: Jennifer | May 23, 2009 at 07:46 PM
totally delightful! hope you don't mind, but I've shared this post with my readers!! yummy!!!
Posted by: Nancy Hood | May 23, 2009 at 04:55 PM
My friend sent me a link to your page. I'm so impressed with the cake! My sister wants me to make her one for her birthday!
Posted by: TJ Kuehn | May 23, 2009 at 04:43 PM
Christmas Story...one of my favorites!
I love this "my mom made it for the end of school, smile".
You are such an inspiration!
Posted by: Erin | May 23, 2009 at 03:13 PM
you are amazing!
Posted by: tonya | May 23, 2009 at 01:14 PM
This cake put a smile on my face! Fund just to look at. Thanks for sharing. :D
*duchess*
Posted by: duchess.of.reel | May 23, 2009 at 09:37 AM
You just ROCK. I never knew what a bad Mom I was until I started following your blog. Thanks! LOL!
Posted by: Aby | May 23, 2009 at 08:54 AM
I have never seen a cake like that before. How clever! And it looks yummy. You are such a sweet mom!
Posted by: Jen | May 23, 2009 at 05:30 AM
That cake is AWESOME! My daughter's birthday party is next weekend, and I am soooo making that cake for her! You are such an inspiration!
Posted by: Dawn | May 23, 2009 at 04:06 AM
JOY!
Posted by: Vera | May 22, 2009 at 09:37 PM
What a cool idea! Such a nice mom! We'll have to try this for our last day of school. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Joanie @ The Bright Side | May 22, 2009 at 09:29 PM
ok i am so not the cook/baker but that is the coolest, cutest cake ever! the colors are so bright. i love it!!!!!
Posted by: Kristy | May 22, 2009 at 08:52 PM