Description
This Rainbow Surprise Loaf Cake is a fun and colorful treat featuring a stunning rainbow star design inside the loaf. It uses two boxes of vanilla cake mix, one to create vibrant, colored stars and the other for the surrounding plain batter. Perfect for celebrations or adding a burst of color to any dessert table, this cake combines simple cake mix baking with creative techniques to make an eye-catching and delicious loaf cake.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 2 boxes vanilla cake mix
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup canola oil
- 1 cup water
Colored Batter
- Purple gel food coloring
- Pink gel food coloring
- Blue gel food coloring
- Teal gel food coloring
Frosting / Meringue
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 3 cups powdered sugar plus 1/2 cup on standby
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pink gel food coloring
- Green gel food coloring
Decoration
- Confetti sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare Vanilla Cake Mixes: Make two white cake mixes according to the instructions on the boxes using 6 eggs, 1 cup canola oil, and 1 cup water for each. Pour one mix into a medium bowl and the other mix into another medium bowl.
- Divide Colored Batter: Split the second white cake mix into four smaller bowls. Add purple gel food coloring to one bowl, pink to another, blue to the third, and teal to the last bowl. Stir each until evenly colored.
- Pipe Colored Lines: Transfer each colored batter into separate piping bags. On a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, cut the tip of each piping bag and pipe lines of each color side to side, alternating colors (purple, pink, teal, blue) until the pan is covered with colorful lines.
- Bake Colored Cake Layer: Bake the cookie sheet at 350°F (177°C) for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove and let the cake cool completely.
- Cut Star Shapes: Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut star shapes out of the cooled colorful cake layer.
- Prepare Loaf Pan: Spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray (Pam or similar).
- Layer the Loaf Cake Batter: Pour some of the freshly prepared plain white cake batter into the bottom of the loaf pan to create a base layer.
- Add Rainbow Stars: Stand the star-shaped colored cake pieces upright into the batter base in the loaf pan to create a surprise pattern inside the cake.
- Cover Stars with Batter: Slowly pour the remaining plain cake batter around the stars to cover them completely. This ensures the stars are hidden inside the loaf during baking.
- Bake the Loaf Cake: Bake the loaf pan at 350°F (177°C) for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Remove: Set the loaf cake aside to cool completely in the pan before removing it to your favorite serving dish.
- Prepare Meringue Frosting: In a clean bowl, beat 3 egg whites with 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add 3 cups powdered sugar, then add 1 teaspoon vanilla and beat until stiff peaks form. Tint with pink and green gel food coloring as desired. Spread or pipe meringue over the cake and decorate with confetti sprinkles.
Notes
- Ensure the colored cake layer is completely cooled before cutting star shapes to prevent crumbling.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without altering batter consistency.
- If you prefer, substitute canola oil with a neutral vegetable oil.
- Make sure to spray the loaf pan well to easily remove the cake after baking.
- The meringue frosting requires careful beating to achieve the right stiffness for spreading and decoration.
- Store the cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
