2 ½cupsall-purpose flour – A key ingredient for that fluffy and soft cake texture.
2 ½tspbaking powder – Helps your cake rise beautifully and evenly.
1 ½cupsunsalted buttersoftened – Adds richness and moisture to your cake layers.
1 ¾cupsgranulated sugar – For sweetness and to balance the flavors in the cake.
5large eggs – Bind everything together and create structure for the cake.
1tspvanilla extract – Adds a subtledelicious flavor.
1cupwhole milk – For the right moisture and to keep your cake tender.
For the Frosting:
1 ½cupsunsalted buttersoftened – A creamy base for the frosting, ensuring it’s smooth and spreadable.
4cupspowdered sugar – Sweetens the frosting and helps it hold its shape.
2-4tbspheavy cream – To adjust the frosting’s consistency; you want it smoothnot too thick or runny.
1tspvanilla extract – Enhances the flavor of the frosting and complements the cake.
Gel food coloringpink, purple, blue, yellow – The secret to achieving those vibrant unicorn colors.
Edible glitter or sprinkles – For the final magical touch that makes the cake sparkle and shine.
For the Decorations:
1waffle cone – Used to create the unicorn hornbringing your unicorn cake to life.
Fondant or modeling chocolate – To shape the unicorn earsmaking your cake truly magical.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Cake Layers
Start with the right cake recipe: Begin by baking your favorite cake layers—whether it’s a classic vanilla, chocolate, or even a rainbow cake, make sure it’s completely cool before decorating.
Level the cakes: For a stable and even base, trim the tops of the cake layers using a serrated knife. This helps the layers sit perfectly together for a smooth, stacked appearance.
Step 2: Frosting the Cake
Apply a crumb coat: Spread a thin layer of frosting all over the cake to seal in any crumbs. This layer helps create a smooth and clean outer frosting layer.
Smooth the surface: Use a bench scraper or an offset spatula to smooth the crumb coat evenly around the cake. This doesn’t have to be perfect—just enough to provide a solid base for the rest of the frosting.
Step 3: Add Colorful Frosting Layers
Color your frosting: Divide the frosting into separate bowls and add gel food coloring to create your desired palette of colors. Think pink, purple, blue, and yellow for that magical unicorn effect.
Spread the frosting: Start with the first color and use a spatula to spread it evenly around the cake. Continue with the other colors, either blending them gently or keeping them in separate sections to create a vibrant striped or ombre effect.
Step 4: Add Unicorn Horn and Ears
Make the unicorn horn: Use a cone-shaped waffle cone covered in golden frosting or edible gold paint to create the unicorn’s horn. Place it in the center of the top layer of the cake.
Create ears: Roll out fondant or modeling chocolate, then cut two small triangles to form the ears. Place them on either side of the horn for a lifelike look.
Step 5: Pipe Decorative Swirls and Details
Swirls of frosting: Using a piping bag with a star tip, pipe swirls or rosettes around the top of the cake. This will add texture and a whimsical touch to your unicorn creation.
Add sprinkles and glitter: Sprinkle edible glitter or rainbow sprinkles generously on top to add a touch of magic and sparkle.
Step 6: Set the Cake
Chill the cake: After decorating, place the cake in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let the frosting set. This will help the frosting firm up and make cutting the cake cleaner.
Serve and enjoy: Once the cake is set, slice and serve it, knowing you’ve created a unicorn masterpiece that tastes as great as it looks!