Unicorn Cake

A round cake decorated as a unicorn with a gold horn, gold ears, closed eyes, and colorful flower-like icing on top, displayed on a white cake stand.

This easy unicorn cake, layered with color, topped with swirls, and finished with a golden horn, is a whimsical dessert that will brighten any celebration!

Course Birthday Cakes & Cupcakes, Desserts & Sweets

Cuisine American

Keyword unicorn birthday cake, unicorn cake

Prep Time 45

Cook Time 30

Total Time 1 15

Servings

Calories 606kcal

Author Lisa O'Driscoll

Equipment

Ingredients

For The Cake

1 box French vanilla cake mix
3 egg whites ⅔ cup if using boxed egg whites
1 cup water
2 drops bubblegum flavoring
1/32 cup vegetable oil
food coloring pink, blue, purple

For The Frosting

1 cup butter, softened 2 sticks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5-6 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons half and half

Instructions

For The Cake

Preheat oven to 350° and grease three 6-inch cake pans.
In a large mixing bowl, combine oil, egg whites, cake mix, water, and bubblegum flavoring.
1 box French vanilla cake mix, 3 egg whites, 1 cup water, 1/32 cup vegetable oil, 2 drops bubblegum flavoring
Separate the batter into three bowls.
Add two drops of pink gel food coloring to the first bowl, two drops of purple to the second bowl and two drops of blue to the third bowl. Mix each until fully combined.
Pour the colored batters into the prepared pans and bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cakes cool completely on a wire rack.

For The Frosting

Beat softened butter until smooth.
1 cup butter, softened
Add powdered sugar a cup at a time, along with the vanilla and the half and half until you get the texture you want. Divide the frosting into two portions: 2/3 for the base and 1/3 for decorating the mane.
5-6 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons half and half, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frost the outside of the cake using an offset spatula and smooth with an icing scraper.
Separate the reserved frosting and tint with drops of the pink, blue, and purple food coloring. Load each into a piping bag fitted with tips 17, 21, or 70.
food coloring
Pipe swirls, stars, and flowers across the top and one side to make a colorful unicorn mane.
Place the horn and ears at the top, pressing them in enough so they stay in place.
Press the lashes gently onto the side.
Finally, pipe a border around the base using Wilton tip 17. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

- This recipe makes 10 regular sized slices or 8 large slices.
- Grease and line your cake pans with parchment circles for easy cake removal.
- Mix the batter just until combined to keep your cake light and fluffy.
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant color without thinning the batter.
- Pipe the mane close together to create that full, swirly unicorn look.
- If your cake layers form a dome on top, use a cake leveler or serrated knife to gently level them.

Nutrition