Best 2 Rainbow Citrus Cake Recipes

Impress your taste buds with a vibrant and flavorful Rainbow Citrus Cake. This delightful treat combines the zesty flavors of orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit with a moist and fluffy vanilla cake base. Each layer is infused with a different citrus, creating a symphony of tangy and sweet notes. Topped with a luscious citrus glaze, this cake is a visual and culinary masterpiece perfect for any occasion.

The recipe includes detailed instructions for making the vanilla cake layers, the citrus curd fillings, and the citrus glaze. It also provides tips for achieving the perfect rainbow effect and ensuring each layer is evenly baked. With step-by-step guidance, bakers of all skill levels can create this stunning and delicious cake.

In addition to the main Rainbow Citrus Cake recipe, the article offers variations for those who prefer a gluten-free or vegan version. These alternative recipes use almond flour and coconut sugar instead of traditional wheat flour and refined sugar, making them suitable for those with dietary restrictions.

Whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner looking to try something new, this Rainbow Citrus Cake recipe is sure to delight your senses and leave you craving more. Its vibrant colors, zesty citrus flavors, and fluffy texture make it a perfect choice for parties, potlucks, or simply enjoying a special treat at home.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

RAINBOW CITRUS CAKE

Rainbow Citrus Cake image

Tri-colored cake with a lemon layer, lime layer and an orange layer. The filling is a lemon curd and the frosting is orange.

Provided by HILARY2000

Categories Desserts Cakes Holiday Cake Recipes

Time 2h45m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
5 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
¾ cup shortening
2 ¼ cups white sugar
4 eggs, room temperature
1 ½ cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
2 teaspoons grated lime zest
2 drops yellow food coloring
2 drops orange food coloring
2 drops green food coloring
1 recipe Lemon Custard Filling
1 recipe Orange Cream Frosting

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 9-inch pans. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing until each egg is incorporated; stir in the vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk. Divide batter into 3 bowls.
In the first bowl, stir in lemon zest and yellow food coloring; pour into prepared pan. In the second bowl, stir in orange zest and orange food coloring; pour into second prepared pan. In the last bowl, stir in the lime zest and green food coloring; pour into third prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake layer comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
Assemble the cake: stack the layers together with the Lemon Filling in between the layers. Frost sides and top with Orange Cream Frosting. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 433.6 calories, Carbohydrate 67.5 g, Cholesterol 64.4 mg, Fat 15.4 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 6.9 g, SaturatedFat 4.2 g, Sodium 380.3 mg, Sugar 39.2 g

RAINBOW CITRUS CAKE

Rainbow Citrus Cake image

When I was a teenager, my mother found this in either Woman's Day or Family Circle. It's been a beloved recipe in our family ever since. I have used a store-bought lemon curd in place of the lemon filling when I'm pressed for time. This is a wonderful cake for birthdays or dinner with friends.

Provided by MaryMatt1016

Categories Dessert

Time 1h

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups sugar
5 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cups milk
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 lemon, rind of
1 orange, rind of, and
1 lime, rind of
yellow food coloring
red food coloring
green food coloring
12 walnut halves

Steps:

Grease and flour 3 (9 inch) cake pans. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add shortening, milk, eggs and vanilla. Beat at low speed 1 minute. Beat 3 minutes more on high speed (scrape side of bowl several times). Divide batter into 3 bowls; add lemon rind and yellow food color to 1 bowl; add orange rind and yellow and red food color to 1 bowl; and add lime rind and green food color to the last bowl. Stir each just to blend. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Put layers together with lemon filling; frost top and sides with orange cream frosting. Garnish by placing the walnut halves evenly around the edge of the cake.
LEMON FILLING:.
Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in large saucepan. Beat 2 egg yolks and 3/4 cup water with a wire whip until smooth. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Cook until mix thickens and bubbles 1 minute. Remove from heat, stir in 1/3 cup lemon juice and 2 tablespoons butter. Pour into glass bowl; cover with plastic wrap; cool completely. Spread between layers. If there's a store-bought lemon curd that you like, skip this step, and spread the lemon curd between the layers.
ORANGE CREAM FROSTING:.
Beat 1/2 cup butter until soft. Beat in 1 package 10x sugar (sifted) and a dash of salt until all sugar is added. Beat in 2 tablespoon orange juice, 2 tablespoon corn syrup and 2 tablespoon vanilla until spreadable. Tint orange with red and yellow food color. Frost top and sides of cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 451.4, Fat 17.3, SaturatedFat 5.1, Cholesterol 74.8, Sodium 384.2, Carbohydrate 67.7, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 37.8, Protein 7.2

Tips:

Prep Work: Preheat oven and grease cake pans before starting the batter. Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for even mixing and a smooth batter.
Butter and Flour: Generously butter and flour your cake pans to prevent sticking and ensure easy release of the cakes after baking.
Layer Ingredients: Add ingredients to the batter in the order specified in the recipe. Mix wet and dry ingredients separately before combining them to avoid overmixing.
Coloring the Batter: Use high-quality gel food coloring for vibrant colors in the batter. Add a toothpick or two to each bowl of batter to easily transfer and create the rainbow effect in the cake.
Baking Time: Bake the rainbow layers one at a time to avoid overcooking. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out clean.
Stacking the Cake: Allow the layers to cool completely before frosting and stacking. Use a serrated knife to level the layers if necessary for an even cake.
Frosting: Make sure the frosting is at the right consistency before adding it to the cake. It should be thick enough to hold its shape but not too stiff to spread easily.
Chilling: Chill the cake after frosting to help it set and make it easier to slice and serve. Decorate with sprinkles or other toppings before serving.

Conclusion:

The Rainbow Citrus Cake is a delightful dessert that combines vibrant colors, citrus flavors, and a fluffy texture. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this recipe, you can create a stunning and delicious cake that will be the centerpiece of any celebration. With its layers of rainbow colors, citrusy sweetness, and creamy frosting, this cake is sure to impress your friends and family. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a colorful baking journey to create this delightful Rainbow Citrus Cake.