Unicorn Cake Recipe: A Magical Dessert for Special Occasions
This unicorn cake is the perfect centerpiece for any birthday celebration or baby shower, featuring three funfetti cake layers with a light crumb and mild vanilla flavor. It’s beautifully frosted with silky smooth vanilla buttercream and decorated with rainbow-swirled buttercream, forming an enchanting unicorn mane, complete with eyes, horns, and ears. Despite its stunning appearance, it’s surprisingly simple to make, and you can customize it with different colors and candies to suit any special occasion.
Unicorn Cake with Buttercream Frosting
Creating a Layered Unicorn Cake with a mane of buttercream rosettes is simpler than it looks. This popular trend features vibrant layers of cake, perfect for a colorful birthday party or celebration. Despite its impressive six layers, even beginners can craft this beautiful dessert from scratch. Its famous design and whimsical appeal make it a must-have for any little girl’s party, combining fun and elegance effortlessly.
What You’ll Need
This cake may look fancy, but it’s made with basic ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. If you’ve been baking lately, you probably have everything you need, except for maybe some extra butter this recipe uses a lot for the creamy buttercream frosting that makes it truly special.
For the Cake
- Butter: Use softened, unsalted butter for easier whipping and better flavor in baked goods.
- Granulated Sugar: Ensures sweetness and structure in the cake.
- Cake Flour: Creates a light, tender texture. Avoid substituting with all-purpose flour, as it may alter the outcome.
- Baking Powder: Helps the layers rise evenly.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Eggs: Add richness and structure to the cake.
- Whole Milk: Use 2% milk if necessary but avoid skim milk due to its thinner consistency.
- Vanilla Extract: Opt for colorless, pure vanilla extract to keep the layers white and add authentic flavor.
Buttercream Frosting for Icing & Decorating the Cake
- Butter: Always use unsalted butter at room temperature for smooth frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: Sift to avoid lumps and achieve a creamy texture.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Provides the best flavor; choose colorless to maintain a white frosting appearance.
- Whole Milk: Adjust to reach your desired consistency for spreading and piping.
- Food Coloring: Add vibrant hues for decorating the mane. Suggested colors: purple, pink, dark purple, blue,yellow and black for a whimsical unicorn theme
How to make unicorn Cake
Making a layer cake might seem daunting, but the steps are incredibly easy, and with the right prep, you can get ahead by preparing in advance. With a little planning and the good part being the fun of assembling, this unicorn cake will be a colorful, delightful treat for any occasion.
Make the Cake Layers
Prepare the cake pans. Grease the sides with butter and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
Beat the butter and sugar. Beat until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
Add the other ingredients. Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl and the eggs, milk, and vanilla in another. Alternate adding them to the creamed butter, making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl as you mix.
Bake. Pour 1/6 of the batter into each cake pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
Freeze. Allow the cakes to cool for 10 minutes, then wrap each layer in plastic wrap and freeze.
How to Make the Buttercream for Cake Layers
- Cream the butter for about 5 minutes to achieve a smooth texture.
- Gradually add sugar, ½ cup at a time, beating until combined after each addition.
- Add milk and vanilla extract, continuing to beat on high until the mixture is fully combined and fluffy.
- This buttercream is perfect for spreading or piping onto cake layers for a sweet, smooth finish.
Prepare the Buttercream for Decorating the Cake
- Make the frosting: Start by preparing the frosting as you did for the cake layers.
- Add the color: Divide the frosting evenly into 5 bowls, with the 6th bowl holding just 3 tablespoons.
- Coloring: Add different colors to each bowl, ensuring the smallest bowl contains black food coloring.
- Prepare the piping bags: Once your frosting is ready, transfer each colored frosting into piping bags. Use a rosette tip for decorating your cake layers.
How to Decorate a Unicorn Cake
- Stack the layers: Start by placing a dollop of buttercream on a revolving cake pan. Then, add a frozen cake layer in the center. Spread a generous amount of frosting evenly on top, then add the second layer. Continue doing this until every layer is piled.
- Refrigerate: After stacking, place the cake in the fridge for about 30 minutes to set before moving on to the next step.
- Add the crumb coat: Spread a thin layer of buttercream frosting on the outside of the cake. This crumb coat helps to seal in crumbs. Put the cake back in the fridge for half an hour.
- Frost the outside: Cover the entire outside of the cake with a thick coating of buttercream frosting after the crumb coat has solidified.
- This layer should be smooth and cover all areas.
- Create the mane: Using a rosette tip, pipe the colored frosting to create the unicorn’s vibrant mane. Use black icing to create delicate eyes for that extra magical touch.
How to Make a Unicorn Horn
Creating a unicorn horn for your cake is easier than you might think! It’s a simple yet fancy addition that can bring your unicorn cake to life. Start with a few sugar ice cream cones and painted gold to give it that signature look.
- Spray outside to avoid the mess of glitter.
- Use an aerosol can for a smooth gold finish.
- Place the cones in a plastic bag or box for a controlled spray and to keep your surroundings clean.
Storage & Freezing
To keep your unicorn cake fresh, store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. A tall cake carrier works best to keep it covered. If you want to store it longer, you can freeze the individual layers or even leftover slices. Wrap them tightly in plastic and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw in the fridge. For slices with too much frosting, be cautious, as the colors can mess up during freezing.
More Cake Recipes
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Fresh Vanilla Strawberry Cake: A Perfect Delight
Unicorn Cake recipes
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups unsalted butter softened
- 4 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 6 cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 9 large eggs
- 3 cups whole milk
- 3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Buttercream Frosting for Icing the Cake:
- 6 cups unsalted butter room temperature
- 12 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 6 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons whole milk
Buttercream Frosting for Decorating:
- 3 cups unsalted butter room temperature
- 6 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Food coloring – purple pink, dark purple, blue, black
Instructions
Make the Cake Layers
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease the sides of 8-inch round cake pans with butter. Line the bottoms with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Use an electric mixer to beat butter and sugar until the mixture is creamy, approximately 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt for even distribution of dry ingredients.
- In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, and vanilla extract together to create the wet ingredient mixture.
- Add flour and egg mixture alternately to the butter mixture. Keep the mixer at low speed and scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure thorough blending.
- Pour 1/6 of the batter into each cake pan, ensuring even distribution for consistent baking.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should come out clean.
Make the Buttercream for the Cake Layers
- Butter is beaten in a stand mixer for 5 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
- Add sugar gradually in 1/2 cup increments, beating thoroughly after each addition
- Slowly mix in vanilla extract and milk, then beat on high speed for 3 minutes until fully combined.
Make the Buttercream for Decorating the Cake
- Prepare the frosting ingredients and divide the buttercream evenly into 5 bowls.
- Reserve a small bowl with 3 tablespoons for detailed accents. Add colors to each mixing bowl, with black food coloring reserved for the small portion.
- Scoop the buttercream into large piping bags using a large spoon, ensuring smooth application for decorating.
Notes
- Revolving cake stand: Start by placing a dollop of buttercream on the bottom of the stand to prevent the cake from sliding.
- First layer: Center a frozen cake layer on the stand. Spoon 1 cup of buttercream frosting on top and spread evenly using a cake spatula.
- Stack layers: Place the second frozen cake layer upside down over the first. Continue doing this until every layer is piled.
- Chill the cake: Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Crumb coat: Spread a thin layer of buttercream frosting over the outside. Chill again for another 30 minutes.
- Final frosting: Apply a thicker layer of frosting and smooth it out evenly.
- Decorate: Use a piping bag to create colorful rosettes for the mane. Finish by piping the eyes with black icing.