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Vanilla Almond Rainbow Petal Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 58 reviews

This Vanilla Almond Rainbow Petal Cake is a delightfully moist and tender layered cake flavored with vanilla bean paste and almond extract. It features a smooth, creamy buttercream frosting that is beautifully decorated with colorful rainbow petal designs, making it perfect for celebrations and special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Vanilla Almond Cake

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 1/3 cups buttermilk, room temperature
  • 4 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract

Vanilla Almond Buttercream Frosting

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 7 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • Food coloring gel (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans thoroughly and line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper and sides well to prevent sticking, then set aside.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Cream Butter, Oil, and Sugar: Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix softened butter, vegetable oil, and granulated sugar until well combined and creamy.
  4. Add Eggs and Extracts: Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Then add vanilla bean paste, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing to combine.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stir just until combined to avoid overmixing; the batter should be smooth.
  6. Bake Cakes: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans (use a kitchen scale for precision if desired). Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool Cakes: Let the cakes cool completely in the pans before inverting them onto a cooling rack.
  8. Prepare Buttercream Frosting: In a stand mixer bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed. Add vanilla and almond extracts, increase mixer speed to high, then add heavy cream. Beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
  9. Assemble Cake: Place a spoonful of frosting on a cake board and spread evenly to prevent slipping. Position the first cake layer on top and spread about one cup of frosting evenly over it.
  10. Add Second Layer and Crumb Coat: Place the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with a thin crumb coat of frosting. Smooth out the top and sides, then refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to set.
  11. Color the Frosting: Divide about 3 tablespoons of frosting into separate small bowls. Add 1-2 drops of gel food coloring to each bowl to create red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet colors. Mix well until evenly colored.
  12. Prepare Piping Bags: Transfer each colored frosting into small piping bags fitted with open tips.
  13. Create Petal Design: Starting at the outer edge of the cake top, pipe a ring of small dots with the first color. Using an offset spatula, gently press and swipe each dot to form petals. Repeat inwards with each color in rainbow order, overlapping slightly to reach the center.
  14. Decorate Center and Chill: Optionally cover the center with sprinkles or desired decorations. Place the cake back into the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and texture.
  • Ensure cakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the frosting.
  • Chilling the cake after crumb coating and decorating helps set the frosting for clean slicing.
  • A kitchen scale can improve batter division accuracy and even cake layers.

Keywords: Vanilla Almond Cake, Rainbow Cake, Layer Cake, Buttercream Frosting, Celebration Cake, Party Cake, Petal Design Cake, Easter Cake

Find it online: https://platedandproud.com/vanilla-almond-rainbow-petal-cake-recipe/