Chaos Cake Rat Birthday (Print View)
Colorful rainbow layers with whimsical rat design perfect for festive celebrations.
# Components:
→ Rainbow Cake Layers
01 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
06 - 2 cups granulated sugar
07 - 6 large eggs
08 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
09 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk
10 - Gel food coloring: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple
→ Buttercream Frosting
11 - 2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
12 - 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 1/4 cup whole milk
14 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
15 - Black, pink, and gray gel food coloring
→ Decorations
16 - 1 cup fondant (white and pink)
17 - 2 black fondant pearls or mini chocolate chips
18 - 1 black licorice string
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 6-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, cream unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
04 - Alternately add dry ingredients and whole milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter equally among six bowls. Tint each portion with gel food coloring to create red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple batters.
06 - Pour each colored batter into a prepared pan. Bake 15–18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool layers completely.
07 - Beat unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, then add whole milk and vanilla extract. Whip until light and fluffy.
08 - Portion out buttercream and tint with gel food coloring: gray for the body, pink for ears, nose, and feet, with a small amount tinted black as needed.
09 - Level cake layers if needed. Stack layers with a thin layer of buttercream between each one. Carve the assembled cake into a rounded rat body, shaping a snout and small haunches. Use cake scraps to build up the head or haunches if necessary.
10 - Cover the shaped cake with a thin layer of gray buttercream to seal in crumbs. Chill for 20 minutes to set.
11 - Apply a thicker layer of gray buttercream, using a small offset spatula or fork to create a furry texture.
12 - Shape white and pink fondant into rat ears, nose, and feet. Color the fondant pink as needed. Attach decorations to the cake using dabs of buttercream.
13 - Place black fondant pearls or mini chocolate chips for eyes. Use a black licorice string for the tail and whiskers.
14 - Pipe or spread pink buttercream for nose and inner ears. Add remaining details as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Bright rainbow cake layers dazzle at the first slice and look magical on a plate
- Whimsical rat shape makes this cake a photo-worthy conversation starter
- Each step is detailed so you can tackle this bake even if you are not a pro decorator
- The buttercream is super creamy and easy to tint and spread for fun effects
02 -
- Makes a showstopping centerpiece for milestone birthdays
- Every layer can be made ahead of time for low stress assembly
- This cake freezes and stores surprisingly well so none goes to waste
03 -
- Wear food safe gloves when tinting fondant or buttercream so your hands stay clean and colors stay pure
- Make sure to chill your cake between carving and each frosting step for easy shaping and crisp lines
- Do not be afraid to improvise with decorations. Chaos Cake is all about fun and surprise