Unicorn Cake Recipe: How to Create a Magical Dessert at Home
Learn how to make a magical unicorn cake at home with this easy recipe! Create a colorful, whimsical dessert that's perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour: 2 ¾ cups 340g
- Granulated sugar: 1 ½ cups 300g
- Unsalted butter: 2 sticks 230g, softened
- Eggs: 3 whole eggs + 1 egg white
- Vanilla extract: 2 ½ teaspoons
- Buttermilk: 1 cup 240 ml
- Jimmies sprinkles: ½ cup 80g
- Baking powder: 2 ½ teaspoons
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
Decorating Ingredients:
- Gel food coloring for vibrant rainbow colors
- Edible glitter for sparkle
- Fondant for horn and ear details
- Modeling chocolate for horn and ear details
- Piping buttercream for decorating the mane, face, and other details
Instructions
Prepare the Cake Layers:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Grease and flour three 7-inch round cake pans. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add the eggs (3 whole eggs and 1 egg white) one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract.
- Alternate adding the dry flour mixture and buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in the jimmies sprinkles for an extra touch of color in the cake.
- Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared pans, about 2 large cups (480g) of batter per pan.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before removing them. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the Buttercream:
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter with a hand or stand mixer until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
- Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, then beat in heavy cream to reach your desired consistency.
- Divide the buttercream into separate bowls for each color of your unicorn design.
- Use gel food coloring to tint each portion of buttercream in pastel rainbow colors (e.g., pink, lavender, blue, green, and yellow).
Prepare the Unicorn Decorations:
- Unicorn Horn: Roll fondant or modeling chocolate into a cone shape, about 3.5 inches long, and twist it into a spiral. Let it harden slightly.
- Unicorn Ears: Shape fondant into two ear shapes and attach them to the top of the cake using edible glue or buttercream.
- Unicorn Face Features: Using buttercream, pipe delicate eyes and eyelashes, and create a smiling mouth using a fine piping tip.
- Mane: Using the different colors of buttercream, pipe the mane in flowing, layered designs. Use star and petal piping tips for texture and volume.
Assemble the Cake:
- Place the first cake layer on a cake stand or turntable and spread a thin layer of buttercream over the top.
- Add the second cake layer and repeat the process. Place the third layer on top.
- Apply a crumb coat (a thin layer of buttercream to seal in any crumbs), then refrigerate the cake for about 30 minutes.
- Once chilled, apply a thicker layer of buttercream to smooth and coat the entire cake.
- Pipe the unicorn’s mane around the top of the cake in a flowing design. Add the horn, ears, and face features.
- Finish by adding edible glitter for sparkle and any additional decorative elements like edible pearls or fondant flowers.
Final Touches:
- Add a final sprinkle of edible glitter to the mane and cake for a magical shine.
- Allow the cake to set for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the decorations to firm up.
Notes
Cake Storage:
- Room Temperature: The cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 2-3 days if it’s well-covered.
- Refrigeration: If you're not serving the cake immediately, refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Cake layers can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
Buttercream Tips:
- Consistency: If your buttercream is too thick, add more heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Chill the Buttercream: If you find the buttercream too soft for piping, chill it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to work with.
Fondant & Decorations:
- Horn and Ears: You can make the unicorn horn and ears a day in advance to let them set. Store them in a cool, dry place.
- Food Coloring: Always use gel food coloring for vibrant, pastel shades. Liquid coloring may alter the consistency of your buttercream.
- Edible Glitter: Add edible glitter as a finishing touch to avoid it melting into the buttercream.
Customization Options:
- Cake Flavor: You can use any cake flavor you prefer (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, etc.). Just make sure it’s sturdy enough for the decorations.
- Vegan/Gluten-Free: For a vegan or gluten-free unicorn cake, simply substitute the appropriate ingredients (e.g., plant-based butter, non-dairy milk, gluten-free flour, etc.).
- Add-ins: For extra fun, you can mix in colored sprinkles, small candies, or edible pearls into the cake batter.
Serving Suggestions:
- If you're serving the cake at a party, slice it into smaller pieces to ensure everyone gets a piece of the magical design.