If you’re looking to create a show-stopping dessert for a birthday party, baby shower, or any celebration, a Rainbow Unicorn Cake is the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
With its vibrant layers, creamy frosting, and whimsical unicorn decorations, this cake is as fun to make as it is to eat.
If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to check out our other cake recipes for even more inspiration.
Follow these simple steps and let your creativity shine as you create a stunning unicorn cake ideas at home!
How To Make A Unicorn Cake
Start by gathering the necessary equipment, ingredients and cake decorating supplies.
Prepare your cake batter according to the box instructions.
What Flavor is Unicorn Cake? Unicorn cakes can be any flavor you like! Popular choices include vanilla cake, funfetti, or even fruity flavors like strawberry or lemon.
Transfer batter into four bowls, tint with gel colors in rainbow colors, and bake in greased 8-inch pans.
For vibrant rainbow layers, gel food coloring works best without altering the batter’s consistency. A few drops go a long way!
Bake cakes, cool completely, then freeze or chill for easier assembly. Cold cakes are easier to handle, frost, and stack without crumbling.
Whip up the vanilla buttercream frosting. Apply a thin layer of buttercream on the outside of the cake to seal in crumbs before adding the final frosting layer. This crumb coat ensures a smooth, polished finish.
Let it set until the frosting crusts slightly.
How to Decorate a Cake to Look Like a Unicorn
Finish frosting the cake. Use a pre-made kit or make your own.
- Add the Unicorn Horn: Place a unicorn horn topper or make your own using fondant or candy. Center it on the top of the cake.
- Create the Unicorn Ears: Use fondant ears, placing them symmetrically on either side of the horn.
- Draw the Eyes: Pipe or place pre-made unicorn eyes on the front of the cake. Use tweezers for precision if needed.
- Decorate the Unicorn’s Mane: Pipe rosettes, swirls, and stars around the horn and down one side of the cake using different colored frostings.
- Add Sparkle: Use edible glitter, edible gold paint, sprinkles, or candy to give the cake extra flair and a magical touch.
Store your decorated unicorn cake in the fridge for up to 3 days. Bring it to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
What Size Should a Unicorn Cake Be?
Different sizes will depend on the occasion and the number of servings you need:
- 8-Inch Round Cakes: Perfect for a small gathering, typically serving 8-12 people.
- Two or Three Tiers: Great for larger celebrations, with tiers ranging from 6 to 10 inches in diameter.
- Mini Unicorn Cakes: Single-serving unicorn cupcakes can be a fun and practical alternative for parties.
For best results, use layered cakes that are 2-3 inches tall each for that impressive unicorn effect.
Looking for more magical dessert ideas? Treat yourself to unicorn donuts, mermaid cupcakes, or a charming melting ice cream cone cake — each one guaranteed to add whimsy and delight to any celebration. Planning a birthday party? Check out our creative birthday cake ideas to make the day unforgettable. If you’re new to decorating or just want to refine your skills, don’t miss our handy guide on cake decorating for tips and tricks to take your cakes to the next level!
How to Make a Unicorn Cake
Learn how to bake and decorate a stunning unicorn cake with vibrant colors!
Ingredients
- 2 White Boxed cake mix
- Buttercream icing
- Unicorn sprinkles mix
- Unicorn cake topper
- Electric Gel Colors
Instructions
- Prepare cake mix according to box instructions.
- Separate the cake mix into four bowls using electric gel colors 1 to 2 drops of coloring will be enough for a favorite cake color.
- Lightly grease cake pans and line bottom of the pan with parchment paper.
- Pour batter into pans and bake according to box instructions.
- Because these are 1 inch cake layers they may cook faster than your box tells you. Begin to check them at the 15 minute mark.
- Cakes are done when you stick in a toothpick in it and it comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool at room temperature until the cakes can be wrapped in plastic wrap in the freezer.
- Make your buttercream.
- Crumb coat the cake with a thin layer of vanilla buttercream making sure to put the buttercream in between each layer as you build a cake.
- Allow the cake time to rest before moving on to the next step. The buttercream will crust over, meaning when you touch it with your finger after about 15 minutes the Icing is no longer wet.
- Prepare your colored frosting and put into piping bags with star tips. While using a color is not necessary for this particular activity it will be helpful to change the tips out.
- Remove the unicorn horn cake topper and the ears from its package and center at the top of the cake.
- After placing the unicorn horn topper on top of the cake select your eyelashes and placing them as symmetrical as possible.
- A medium stiff consistency icing is going to be required to create the roses on top of the unicorns head using a star tip we will be able to create roses on top of the cake.
Notes
How to Store Your Unicorn Cake
Store your cake in the refrigerator until you are ready to display your beautiful rainbow unicorn cake on a cake stand. You may need to adjust your refrigerator's shelves to help the cake fit.
If you want to make your cake layers in advance you can! After they completely cool, wrap each cake layer in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. You can freeze your unicorn cake layers for up to 3 months. When you are ready to thaw out your layers, start out in the refrigerator overnight and then let them come up to room temperature.