Celebrate the essence of joy and color with this Rainbow Citrus Marble Cake. This dessert not only offers a stunning visual display but also bursts with the refreshing tang of multiple citrus fruits, making it perfect for any gathering that calls for a touch of whimsy and a lot of flavors.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- All-purpose Flour: 6 cups
- Kosher Salt: 1 1/2 teaspoons
- Baking Powder: 3 teaspoons
- Baking Soda: 3/4 teaspoon
- Unsalted Butter: 1 1/2 cups, room temperature
- Sugar: 3 cups
- Eggs: 6
- Sour Cream: 1 1/2 cups
- Citrus Zest and Juice: 3 lemons, 3 limes, 3 oranges
- Grapefruit Juice: 1 1/2 cups
For the Buttercream:
- Unsalted Butter: 6 sticks, room temperature
- Powdered Sugar: 3 pounds
- Vanilla Extract: 2 tablespoons
- Almond Extract: 1 tablespoon
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: 3/4 cup
- Salt: 3 pinches
For Decoration:
- Gel Food Colors: Various colors (rainbow spectrum)
- Assorted Sprinkles and Candy Pearls
- Silver Dragees
Directions:
- Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating after each addition. Stir in the citrus zest and juices.
- Alternately blend in the dry ingredients and sour cream to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Finally, mix in the grapefruit juice.
- Divide the batter into different bowls and tint each with a different gel food color to achieve a rainbow effect.
- Bake the Cake:
- Pour the various colored batters into the prepared pans, using a knife to gently swirl for a marbled look.
- Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Buttercream:
- In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla, almond extract, and sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Season with a pinch of salt.
- Assemble and Decorate:
- If necessary, level the cooled cakes. Stack them with a generous amount of buttercream between each layer. Cover the outside with a smooth layer of frosting.
- Decorate with remaining buttercream tinted with colors, creating vibrant swirls. Embellish with sprinkles, candy pearls, and silver dragees for a festive finish.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 2 hours, excluding cooling
Servings: 10
Baking Tips:
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing and a smoother batter.
- Intensify the citrus flavor by adding extra zest to the batter.
- Chill the cake briefly after decorating to set the buttercream and simplify slicing.
Conclusion:
This Rainbow Citrus Marble Cake is not just a dessert; it’s a centerpiece that promises to captivate and delight your guests. Its lively flavors and brilliant colors are perfect for any celebration, ensuring each slice brings a smile. Enjoy crafting this edible piece of art and savor the blend of sweet and tangy notes in every bite