Rainbow Cupcakes with Vanilla Cloud Frosting
User Reviews
4.7
Rainbow Cupcakes with Vanilla Cloud Frosting
Description
Rainbow Cupcakes with Vanilla Cloud Frosting feature a batter made from creamed butter and sugar, whipped egg whites, flour, baking powder, salt, and warmed milk. The batter is portioned and tinted in rainbow colors including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, then baked in thin layers to create distinct colorful tiers in each cupcake. The topping is a vanilla buttercream made from softened butter, sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and milk, whipped until light and smooth. This combination provides a moist, tender crumb in the cupcakes and a creamy, mildly sweet frosting to complement the vivid colors. The layers give each cupcake a striking presentation perfect for celebrations.
These cupcakes are served individually and work well at parties and gatherings where a colorful, dessert centerpiece is desired. The frosting’s vanilla flavor balances the sweet, buttery cake layers without overwhelming the palate. They can be decorated with additional sprinkles or left simply with their layered appearance. Preparing the batter in separate bowls for each color requires somewhat more prep time but offers an engaging baking experience and a rewarding result.
The frosting uses clear vanilla extract to maintain a bright white color rather than the yellow tint of regular vanilla, which helps the frosting contrast vividly with the rainbow layers. The recipe suggests baking the lightly layered batter for 18-20 minutes until set. The batter can be piped or spooned into pans for layering. These cupcakes require care in layering and frosting but produce an impressive final treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter , softened
- 2 1/3 cups sugar
- 5 egg white
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 3 cups flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups milk , warmed for 30 sec in microwave to bring to room temp
- Gel food coloring rainbow colors
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar , sifted
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract if you use normal vanilla it will not be as white, but will be just as delicious, clear
- tiny pinch salt
- 3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In your stand mixer cream the butter and sugar together until much lighter in color, like a easter-y spring yellow (2-3 minutes).
- Add in the egg whites and vanilla until totally combined.
- Add the salt and baking powder to the flour.
- Add in the dry ingredients and the milk alternating 1 cup of flour and 1/2 cup of milk at a time.
- Add one cup of the batter to 6 different bowls.
- Color each bowl with your gel food coloring in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.
- Mix until the colors are fully combined.
- Your choice here: Spoon or ziploc bags.
- Either add the batter to 6 sandwich size ziploc bags and pipe just enough to make a thin layer of each color (maybe 1/4 inch tall batter layers)
- OR
- with a small spoon, spoon just under a tablespoon of batter into each cup.
- Start with purple, then blue, then green, then yellow, then orange and finally red.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes.
- To make the frosting:
- Whip the butter in your stand mixer with your paddle attachment(I LOVE LOVE LOVE this one with a built in scraper) until you see the butter is lighter in color (1 minute).
- Add in the vanilla.
- Add in the powdered sugar in 1 cup increments with the milk 1 tablespoon at a time, ending with powdered sugar.
- Mix on high for 1 minute after each addition.
- Your frosting should be SUPER light and fluffy, just like a delicious vanilla cloud.
- Using a closed star tip and decorating bag, pipe your frosting onto the cooled cupcakes.
Notes
- The recipe batter is divided into six parts to be colored individually for vibrant layers.
- Use clear vanilla extract in the frosting for a whiter appearance without affecting flavor.
- Bake the cupcakes about 18-20 minutes until layers are set but still tender.
- The frosting should be whipped until light and fluffy for best texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24cupcakes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 363 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 363kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | 17% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 42mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 202mg | 8% |
| Potassium | 121mg | 3% |
| Sugar | 40g | 80% |
| Vitamin A | 500IU | 10% |
| Calcium | 56mg | 6% |
| Iron | 0.8mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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