This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Learn how to make this beautiful cake with this Unicorn Cake Tutorial. Easily make a 4 layer unicorn cake for your next birthday party or just for fun.
This unicorn cake consists of vanilla cake dyed in various colors, yummy buttercream frosting, and a unicorn cake topper set.
Make this unicorn cake for children’s birthday parties, celebrations, or just anytime you’re in the mood for a fun cake.
This Cake Tutorial might look complicated but I assure you it’s easy to make!
Simply make the cake batter and bake it, then freeze the layers of cake.
Take some buttercream frosting and frost the cake then add a few simple decorations using the buttercream frosting.
In about 4 hours, you’ll have a colorful unicorn cake covered with pink, blue and yellow roses ready to enjoy!
HOW TO MAKE A UNICORN CAKE
A colorful 4 layer cake is decorated with colorful buttercream frosting and then decorated with unicorn decorations for a fun cake the whole family will enjoy!
Are you ready to get started?
You’ll find the specific ingredient amounts and detailed instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of this post.
KITCHEN TOOLS YOU MAY NEED
Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links for products or services we think you’ll like. This means if you make a purchase from one of these links, Kelly’s Thoughts On Things may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend items we use and love.
- Measuring Spoons – I LOVE my set of these!
- Layered 6-inch cake pan set
- Hand or stand mixer
- Spatulas
- Piping Bags
- Piping Star tips 14, 18, 21
- Couplers
- Icing smoother tool
- Scissors
- 8-10 inch cake board or cake drum
- Unicorn cake topper
UNICORN CAKE INGREDIENTS
This fun and easy Unicorn Cake recipe uses easy-to-find ingredients to create a delicious dessert your family will love.
All you need is:
- electric americolor gel food dye
- unicorn sprinkles mix, optional
- white boxed cake mix
- buttercream icing
UNICORN CAKE RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
First, prepare the cake mix according to box instructions.
Separate the cake mix into four bowls. Add some gel colors to separate bowls of batter and stir to combine.
Lightly grease the four cake pans. Pour the dyed batter into each prepared pan.
Bake the cake according to box instructions.
Cakes are done when you can stick a toothpick in it and it comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool at room temperature until the cakes can be wrapped in plastic wrap in the freezer.
While the cake layers are freezing make the buttercream frosting.
If you are in a rush chill the cakes in the fridge for at least two hours before attempting to assemble the cakes or else the cakes can come apart when you are icing them.
Once your cake layers are frozen, take each layer of cake and place buttercream frosting between the layers.
Next, frost the crumb coat the cake with a thin layer of buttercream.
Allow the cake time to rest before moving on to the next step.
American buttercream frosting will crust over, meaning when you touch it with your finger after about 15 minutes the Icing is no longer wet.
Using the white frosting, cover the cake in a final layer of frosting and use an icing smoother and smooth this layer of frosting.
Take the buttercream and now divide it into 3 bowls.
Add food gel dye to each bowl and whisk to combine.
Add each dyed buttercream to a piping bag with a star tip.
Remove the unicorn horn cake topper from its package and center it at the top of the cake.
After placing the unicorn horn topper on top of the cake, select your eyelashes and place them as symmetrical as possible.
Use the star tip to create the roses on top of the cake.
Make roses using a star tip, by placing the center of the star tip where you want the rose to be.
Start making swirls with the buttercream. Then add colored frosting to the bottom of the cake in different colors.
Lastly, sprinkle with some unicorn sprinkles for a special added touch.
In about 4 hours, you’ll have a fun unicorn cake that’s sure to become a new favorite!
UNICORN CAKE TIPS AND QUESTIONS
If you’ve never made a Unicorn Cake, don’t worry! Below are some common questions and helpful tips.
Hopefully, this will answer any questions you may have.
If not, feel free to ask in the comments and I’ll answer the best I can.
HOW LONG DOES IT REALLY TAKE TO MAKE A UNICORN CAKE?
This Unicorn Cake recipe takes approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes. TOTAL. This includes:
- About 25 minutes to make and bake the cake layers
- Close to 3 hours to freeze the cake layers
- Around 30 minutes to frost the cake with buttercream
- 15 minutes to to add extra decorating details like roses and the frosting around the cake
HOW DO I STORE A UNICORN CAKE?
You can store Unicorn Cake in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 2 days or in your refrigerator for up to 5 days.
WHAT DO I DO IF I DON’T HAVE A PIPPING BAG?
While I strongly encourage you to purchase piping bags, you may use a small sandwich bag but you will still need a piping tip.
CAN I USE PLASTIC TIPS?
Yes, you can use the plastic decorating tips.
However, you will not be able to change out the tips while you’re decorating.
WHY DO WE USE COUPLERS WHEN DECORATING?
The couplers make it easy for you to change the piping tip while still using the same color.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN THE PIPING TIPS?
Boil them in hot water and allow them to air dry.
Best practices Make sure you hold your piping bag at a 45° angle.
Apply even pressure when squeezing out the frosting. Stop squeezing and then pull your tip away.
CAN I MAKE UNICORN CAKE AHEAD OF TIME?
Yes, you can easily make Unicorn Cake the day before serving.
Simply store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature or in your refrigerator.
You’ll have a beautiful cake ready for your party ahead of time.
WHERE CAN I FIND A UNICORN TOPPER?
You can easily find a unicorn cake topper at a craft store or online through Amazon or Etsy.
Unicorn cake toppers cost around $7 each.
WHAT GOES WELL WITH UNICORN CAKE?
Unicorn Cake goes well with a wide variety of unicorn snacks and desserts. These recipes would be great to serve together.
Some of my personal favorites include:
- Unicorn Baked Cake Donuts
- Unicorn Cupcakes
- Rainbow Frosting
- Rainbow Ice Cream
- Mermaid Tail Cupcakes
WHAT ELSE CAN I ADD TO THIS UNICORN CAKE RECIPE?
This fun Unicorn Cake Tutorial recipe not only tastes great, but it’s also incredibly versatile.
Try adding a surprise in the center of the cake like M&M’s that spill out when you slice the cake. YUM!
Now that you know how to make a unicorn cake, take a moment and get creative! Change the colors of your frosting or add some sprinkles.
Be as unique with this recipe as possible. The best thing about these cakes is they are great for parties because you can change them up often depending on the theme.
We hope you enjoy our step-by-step tutorial on how to make a Unicorn Cake – it’s sure to be an exciting adventure!
UNICORN CAKE TUTORIAL RECIPE
How to Make a Unicorn Cake
Learn how to make this beautiful cake with this Unicorn Cake Tutorial. Easily make a 4 layer unicorn cake for your next birthday party or just for fun. This unicorn cake consists of vanilla cake dyed various colors, yummy buttercream frosting, and a unicorn cake topper set.
Ingredients
- 2 White Boxed cake mix, prepared according to box instructions, colored, and baked.
- 7 cups of Buttercream frosting
- Blue, Green, Pink, and Yellow Electric Gel Colors
- Unicorn sprinkles mix, optional
Instructions
- First, prepare the cake mix according to box instructions.
- Separate the cake mix into four bowls.
- Add 1 to 2 drops of pink, blue, green, and yellow electric gel colors to separate bowls of batter and stir to combine. Lightly grease the four cake pans. Pour the dyed batter into each prepared pan.
- Bake the cake according to box instructions.
- Since each layer of cake is about 1-inch they may bake faster than the box directions tells you.
- Begin to check them at the 15-minute mark.
- Cakes are done when you can stick a toothpick in it and it comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool at room temperature until the cakes can be wrapped in plastic wrap in the freezer.
- While the cake layers are freezing make the buttercream frosting.
- If you are in a rush chill the cakes in the fridge for at least two hours before attempting to assemble the cakes or else the cakes can come apart when you are icing them.
- Once your cake layers are frozen, take each layer of cake and place buttercream frosting between the layers.
- Next, frost the crumb coat the cake with a thin layer of buttercream.
- Allow the cake time to rest before moving on to the next step.
- American buttercream frosting will crust over, meaning when you touch it with your finger after about 15 minutes the Icing is no longer wet.
- Using the white frosting, cover the cake in a final layer of frosting and use an icing smoother and smooth the final layer of frosting.
- Take the buttercream and now divide it into 3 bowls.
- To one bowl, add 1-2 drops of pink, 1-2 drops of blue, and 1-2 drops of yellow food gel dye and whisk to combine.
- Add each dyed buttercream to a piping bag with a star tip.
- Remove the unicorn horn cake topper from its package and center it at the top of the cake.
- After placing the unicorn horn topper on top of the cake, select your eyelashes and place them as symmetrical as possible.
- Use the star tip to create the roses on top of the cake.
- Make roses using a star tip, by placing the center of the star tip where you want the rose to be.
- Start making swirls with the buttercream.
- Then add colored frosting to the bottom of the cake in different colors.
- Lastly, sprinkle the cake with unicorn sprinkles.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1 SliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 748Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 486mgCarbohydrates: 123gFiber: 1gSugar: 96gProtein: 3g
Nutritional information is automatically calculated with ingredients and serving size and may not be accurate. Please always double check with your own nutritional apps as well.
WHAT’S NEXT
I hope you enjoy this cake tutorial recipe as much as my family does!
If you get a chance to try it, let us know! Leave us a comment below, or share it with a picture on Instagram or Facebook! Don’t forget to tag us @kelly_reci_ and use the hashtag #Kellysthoughtsonthings so we can see what amazing meals you are cooking up!