Description
This vibrant Hippie Tie Dye Cake is a fun and colorful twist on classic white cake. Featuring multiple layers of brightly colored batter and topped with creamy buttercream frosting, it’s perfect for celebrations that need a pop of color. The use of gel food coloring ensures vivid hues without altering the batter’s consistency. Decorated with Wilton flower icing transfers, this cake is as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 2 boxes of white cake mix
- 6 large egg whites
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup canola oil
- Sky Blue, Purple, Pink, Green, Yellow gel food coloring
Buttercream Frosting
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3-6 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- Sky Blue, Purple, Pink, Green, Yellow, and Black gel food coloring
- Pam baking spray (for greasing pans)
- 1 package of Wilton flower icing transfers (for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare the cake batter: Preheat your oven to the temperature recommended on the cake mix boxes. In a large bowl, combine the white cake mixes, egg whites, water, and canola oil. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Divide and color the batter: Evenly divide the batter into 5 separate bowls. Add a different gel food coloring to each bowl (Sky Blue, Purple, Pink, Green, and Yellow) and stir each until vibrant and uniformly colored.
- Prepare the pans: Spray your cake pans thoroughly with Pam baking spray to prevent sticking. You can use multiple round pans or bake in batches if you have fewer pans.
- Create the tie dye effect: Spoon the colored batters into the prepared pans in random blobs or swirls, alternating colors to create a tie dye pattern. Do not fully mix the colors, as the marbling effect is the goal.
- Bake the cakes: Place the pans in the oven and bake according to the package instructions, typically around 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
- Make the buttercream frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue beating. Mix in the vanilla extract. Slowly add heavy whipping cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Color the frosting: Divide the buttercream into separate bowls and add gel food coloring (Sky Blue, Purple, Pink, Green, Yellow, and Black) to create various colored frostings for decorating.
- Assemble the cake: Level the cooled cake layers if necessary. Spread a layer of colored buttercream between each cake layer. Once stacked, cover the entire cake with a base coat of buttercream in your preferred color.
- Decorate: Use the colored buttercreams and piping bags to create decorative patterns on the cake. Finish by applying Wilton flower icing transfers for a beautiful floral finish matching the tie dye theme.
- Serve and enjoy: Allow the cake to set at room temperature for a bit before slicing to get clean cuts. Serve your Hippie Tie Dye Cake and enjoy the colorful celebration!
Notes
- Use gel food coloring to achieve vibrant colors without thinning the batter or frosting.
- Ensure cake layers are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- The amount of heavy cream can be adjusted to achieve desired frosting texture.
- You can substitute canola oil with vegetable oil if preferred.
- This cake stores well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before serving.
