Unicorn Cake: A Delicious & Easy Recipe

A unicorn cake is a whimsical and colorful treat perfect for birthdays, parties, or any celebration needing a touch of magic. Imagine a cake adorned with vibrant swirls of frosting, a majestic horn, and sparkling edible glitter. This guide will lead you through each step, from baking the layers to decorating your own stunning unicorn cake.

This unicorn cake recipe is surprisingly easy to follow, even if you’re a beginner. We’ll start with a simple vanilla cake recipe for the base. If you’re looking for other delicious cake recipes, check out this kefir sheet cake recipe. Then, we’ll create a light and fluffy buttercream frosting that’s as delicious as it is colorful. Finally, we’ll assemble and decorate our cake, bringing our unicorn vision to life!

Why this Unicorn Cake is Special

This unicorn cake recipe isn’t just about creating a visually stunning dessert. It’s about a delightful combination of taste and artistry. The moist vanilla cake and creamy buttercream frosting ensure every bite is as enjoyable as it looks. Get ready to create a truly magical experience!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake Layers

• 2 ½ cups cake flour (or all-purpose flour, but cake flour makes a lighter cake)
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup milk (whole milk is best, but 2% works too)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup milk or heavy cream (start with less and add more if needed)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring in your desired unicorn colors (pink, purple, blue, yellow, etc. – gel colors give you the most vibrant hues!)

Baking the Perfect Cake Layers

Preparing the Cake Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. For easier removal, place a circle of parchment paper in the bottom of each pan after greasing and flouring. This helps prevent sticking and ensures your beautiful cake layers come out cleanly.

Mixing the Batter

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. For tips on making a smooth batter, see this guide on Bisquick. Don’t overmix the batter, as this can make the cake tough.

Baking and Cooling

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center of the cakes. If it comes out clean, they’re ready.

Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. If your cake layers have a dome on top, you can use a serrated knife to carefully level them once they’re completely cooled. This will create an even surface for stacking and frosting. Looking for delicious frosting variations? Try this cream cheese white chocolate pudding frosting recipe.

Creating the Unicorn Buttercream Frosting

Making the Base Frosting

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This will take a few minutes. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. If the frosting seems too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or cream at a time until you reach a smooth and spreadable consistency. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Dividing and Coloring the Frosting

Divide the frosting into separate bowls, one for each color you want to use. Think pretty pastels like pink, purple, blue, and yellow. For a truly vibrant unicorn mane, use gel food coloring. A little goes a long way! Start with a small amount of gel color and add more until you achieve your desired shade. Mix the colors thoroughly into each portion of frosting. Now you have a rainbow of frosting ready for decorating! For more colorful treats, consider these colorful cookie recipes.

Assembling and Decorating Your Unicorn Cake

Layering and Frosting the Cake

Place one cake layer on a cake board or serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting evenly over the top. Carefully place the second cake layer on top. Now, it’s time for the crumb coat! This thin layer of frosting traps all the crumbs and creates a smooth surface for your final frosting. Frost the entire cake with a thin layer of white frosting or one of your chosen colors. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up the crumb coat.

Once the crumb coat is firm, frost the entire cake with your remaining frosting, dividing the colors however you like. You can create a smooth finish with a bench scraper or an offset spatula.

Creating the Unicorn Horn and Ears

For the unicorn horn, you can use either fondant or modeling chocolate. Shape it into a cone and let it harden. Alternatively, you can use a pre-made sugar cone or even an ice cream cone dipped in edible gold paint! Looking for fun ways to decorate with fondant? Check out this guide on Dubai chocolate.

For the ears, you can cut out ear shapes from fondant or use pre-made edible unicorn ears. If using fondant, allow the ears to dry slightly before attaching them to the cake.

Adding the Finishing Touches

Now comes the fun part! Decorate your unicorn cake with sprinkles, edible glitter, candies, and any other embellishments you like. To create the unicorn’s mane, fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip with different colored frostings. Pipe swirls of frosting along the top edge of the cake to resemble a flowing mane. Add edible flowers, or other decorations to complete your magical creation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enjoying Your Unicorn Cake

Your magical unicorn cake is ready to be the star of the show! Slice and serve, and watch everyone’s faces light up as they enjoy this whimsical creation. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Any leftover cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Enjoy every last magical bite!

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