Ultimate Unicorn Cake Recipe: A Magical, Rainbow-Topped Dessert 🦄🍰

Looking for the perfect birthday cake, baby shower centerpiece, or magical treat that will wow everyone? This rainbow unicorn cake is your answer a stunning three layer funfetti cake topped with a swirled buttercream mane, sparkling edible horn, and whimsical decorations. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want to bake something truly magical, this cake is easy to make, visually stunning, and irresistibly delicious.

✨ Why You’ll Love This Unicorn Cake:

✔ Light & fluffy funfetti cake with a mild vanilla flavor
✔ Silky smooth vanilla buttercream frosting for a professional finish
✔ Rainbow swirls & pastel colors to mimic a unicorn’s mane
✔ Edible sugar cone horn & ears for a magical touch
✔ Customizable colors & decorations for any occasion

Whether you're a beginner baker or a pro decorator, this cake is surprisingly simple to make and will leave everyone asking for the recipe. Let’s get baking, magical bakers—your unicorn cake awaits 🦄💖

🍽️ Key Ingredients :

This section highlights the essential ingredients that make this unicorn cake magical, helping searchers find the recipe when looking for specific items:

Must-Have Ingredients for a Magical Unicorn Cake:

Funfetti Sprinkles – The rainbow color base (essential for the funfetti effect)
Sugar Cones – For the edible horn and ears (classic unicorn features)
Edible Gold Spray – To make the horn sparkle (magical touch)
Butter & Shortening – For a rich, fluffy cake (key to texture)
Rainbow Food Coloring – To create the pastel swirls (vibrant colors)
Powdered Sugar – For silky smooth buttercream (professional finish)

🎉 Why This Cake is a Celebration Must-Have

This unicorn cake is more than just a dessert it’s a magical centerpiece for birthdays, baby showers, or any special occasion. Its rainbow swirls, golden horn, and playful design make it Instagram-worthy, while its light, fluffy cake and silky buttercream ensure it’s deliciously satisfying.

🦄 Ready to bake your own magical unicorn cake? Follow the steps above, and don’t forget to share your creation with us we’d love to see your unicorn magic in action 🌈✨

💡 Pro Tips for the Perfect Unicorn Cake

✅ Make frosting ahead: Store buttercream in the fridge for up to 1 month (let it soften at room temp before using).
✅ Freeze cake slices: Wrap leftover slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months—perfect for quick snacks or gifts.
✅ Customize colors: Use any colors you love—pastels, neon, or even glittery accents for extra magic.
✅ Add extras: Top with cotton candy, marshmallows, or edible glitter for a whimsical touch.
✅ Edible horn alternatives: If sugar cones aren’t available, try chocolate-covered pretzel rods or licorice twists for a fun twist.

📢 Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a baking newbie or a pro decorator, this unicorn cake recipe is easy, fun, and totally magical. With its rainbow colors, fluffy cake, and golden horn, it’s the perfect way to make any celebration extra special.

🔥 Ready to bake? Grab your ingredients, follow the steps, and let your unicorn cake magic begin 🦄💖

Have you tried this unicorn cake recipe? Share your photos & tag us we’d love to see your creation 🌈✨

🔗 Related Posts:

Happy baking, magical bakers 🦄🍰

Prep Time 2 hrs

Cook Time 1 hr

Rest Time 1 hr

Total Time 4 hrs

Cuisine: Cakes & Bakes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cooking Temp: 175 C

Description

A dreamy, rainbow-layered funfetti cake with silky buttercream frosting and magical unicorn decorations. Perfect for birthdays, parties, or anytime you need a little sparkle! 🌈✨

Ingredients

For the Funfetti Cake Layers:

2 Cups (250g) all-purpose flour (essential for structure)
1½ Cups (300g) granulated sugar (sweetness)
1 Stick (113g) salted butter, softened (rich flavor)
5 Eggs large eggs whites (light texture)
¾ Cup (180ml) whole milk (moisture)
¼ Cup (56g) shortening (extra richness)
¼ tsp almond extract (unique flavor)
2 tsp vanilla extract (classic sweetness)
2 tsp baking powder (leavening)
⅛ tsp salt (balance flavors)
¼ Cup (40g) rainbow sprinkles (funfetti) (color & fun)

For the Buttercream Frosting:

2 Cups (450g) unsalted butter, softened (smooth base)
6 Cups (720g) powdered sugar, sifted (fluffy texture)
¼ Cup (60ml) heavy cream or milk (creaminess)
2 tsp vanilla extract (flavor)
Food coloring (pink, purple, blue, yellow, green) (rainbow effect)

For the Unicorn Decorations:

Edible gold spray or luster dust (magical touch)
Sugar cones (for the horn & ears) (classic unicorn features)
Black icing (for eyes) (expressive details)
Piping bags & tips (round #4, star #824, French tips #4B) (professional decorating)

Instructions

Make the Funfetti Cake Batter

1
✔ Mix dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
2
✔ Cream butter & sugar: Beat softened butter, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy.
3
✔ Add egg whites: One at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4
✔ Add extracts: Mix in vanilla and almond extract.
5
✔ Alternate wet & dry ingredients: Add ⅓ of the dry mix, then half the milk. Repeat until all ingredients are combined.
6
✔ Fold in sprinkles: Gently mix in rainbow sprinkles (don’t overmix!).
7
✔ Divide & bake: Pour batter into 3 greased & parchment-lined 6-inch round pans. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 mins until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Make the Buttercream Frosting

8
✔ Cream butter: Beat softened butter until smooth.
9
✔ Add powdered sugar & milk: Gradually mix in sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream.
10
✔ Color the frosting: Divide into bowls and tint with pink, purple, blue, yellow, and green for a rainbow effect.

Assemble the Cake

11
12
✔ Level & stack layers: Use a cake leveler or knife to trim domed tops. Place the first layer on a plate, pipe a buttercream border, and fill with frosting. Repeat for all layers.
13
✔ Crumb coat: Apply a thin layer of frosting to seal crumbs (chill for 10-30 mins).
14
✔ Final frosting: Use an offset spatula to smooth the sides and top.

Decorate the Unicorn Cake

15
16
✔ Rainbow mane: Pipe swirling buttercream in pastel colors for the mane.
17
✔ Eyes & lashes: Use black icing to pipe simple eyes with lashes.
18
✔ Golden horn & ears:

Note

Horn: Roll sugar cones in edible gold, attach to the cake with frosting.

Ears: Cut sugar cones into teardrop shapes, paint gold, and attach.

Keywords: Unicorn Cake

Read it online: https://sweettreatsrecipe.com/recipe/ultimate-unicorn-cake-recipe/

Samantha Doe

Food and Lifestyle Blogger

Hi, I'm Samantha, a full-time food blogger, mother of 2 beautiful daughters and a lovely wife. I live in New Jersey with my family. Loves traveling, sharing new recipes, and spending time with my family.