Rainbow Bundt Cake is a vibrant, fun, and eye-catching dessert that brings a burst of color to any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a festive holiday, or simply want to brighten up your day, this cake is guaranteed to impress. The beauty of a Rainbow Bundt Cake lies in its swirls of bold, cheerful colors baked into a soft, moist vanilla cake base.
While this cake may look complicated, it’s surprisingly easy to make at home. All you need is a simple vanilla cake batter and a few different food colorings to create the iconic rainbow effect. The key is layering the colored batter in just the right way so that when you slice into the cake, you reveal stunning, colorful ribbons running throughout.
One of the best things about this cake is how versatile it is. You can customize the colors to match a party theme, create an ombré effect, or even go for pastel shades for a softer look. Plus, the vanilla flavor pairs beautifully with a variety of glazes and frostings, making it easy to tailor to your taste preferences.
The Bundt pan plays a crucial role in the presentation of this cake. Its elegant shape ensures that every slice looks as stunning as the next, making it perfect for serving at gatherings or gifting to friends and family. The exterior bakes to a beautiful golden brown while the inside remains incredibly soft and tender.
To top it all off, a simple vanilla glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness and enhances the cake’s visual appeal. Drizzling the glaze over the ridges of the Bundt cake creates a bakery-worthy finish that will make your cake look as good as it tastes.
Whether you’re a beginner baker or an experienced pro, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire. So let’s get started on making the ultimate Rainbow Bundt Cake that will wow your guests and bring a little extra joy to your table!
Servings
- 10-12 servings
Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Cooling Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- Food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
For the Glaze:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Additional food coloring (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a Bundt pan thoroughly with butter and flour or nonstick spray.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla: One at a time, mix in the eggs, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Alternate dry ingredients and milk: Gradually add the flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.
Step 2: Create the Rainbow Effect
- Divide the batter: Evenly separate the batter into six bowls.
- Color the batter: Add a different food coloring to each bowl, stirring until fully incorporated.
- Layer the colors: Pour the purple batter into the bottom of the Bundt pan, followed by blue, green, yellow, orange, and finally red. Do not mix; simply layer each color directly on top of the last.
Step 3: Bake and Cool
- Bake the cake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
Step 4: Prepare the Glaze
- Mix glaze ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. If desired, divide the glaze into smaller bowls and tint with food coloring.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake, allowing it to flow over the ridges.
Tips for the Best Rainbow Bundt Cake
- Use gel food coloring for the most vibrant hues without altering the batter consistency.
- Tap the Bundt pan on the counter after layering the batter to remove air bubbles and ensure even distribution.
- Grease your Bundt pan well to prevent sticking and maintain the beautiful shape of the cake.
- If you want a more blended rainbow effect, gently swirl the colors with a skewer before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Summary
This Rainbow Bundt Cake is the ultimate celebration cake, featuring beautifully layered colors within a soft, buttery vanilla cake. Topped with a simple vanilla glaze, this stunning dessert is easy to make and perfect for birthdays, parties, and any occasion that calls for a splash of color. With vibrant hues and a deliciously moist texture, this cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Rainbow Bundt Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- Food coloring red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple
For the Glaze:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Additional food coloring optional
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a Bundt pan thoroughly with butter and flour or nonstick spray.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla: One at a time, mix in the eggs, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Alternate dry ingredients and milk: Gradually add the flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.
Step 2: Create the Rainbow Effect
- Divide the batter: Evenly separate the batter into six bowls.
- Color the batter: Add a different food coloring to each bowl, stirring until fully incorporated.
- Layer the colors: Pour the purple batter into the bottom of the Bundt pan, followed by blue, green, yellow, orange, and finally red. Do not mix; simply layer each color directly on top of the last.
Step 3: Bake and Cool
- Bake the cake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
Step 4: Prepare the Glaze
- Mix glaze ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. If desired, divide the glaze into smaller bowls and tint with food coloring.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake, allowing it to flow over the ridges.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for the most vibrant hues without altering the batter consistency.
- Tap the Bundt pan on the counter after layering the batter to remove air bubbles and ensure even distribution.
- Grease your Bundt pan well to prevent sticking and maintain the beautiful shape of the cake.
- If you want a more blended rainbow effect, gently swirl the colors with a skewer before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
