First things first, let’s make sure you have everything you need to start this enchanting adventure:

Dry Ingredients: Flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.

Wet Ingredients: Softened butter, milk, eggs, and a splash of vanilla for that heavenly scent.

Colors of the Rainbow: Gel food coloring in vibrant shades to bring your unicorn to life.

Frosting Supplies: More butter, powdered sugar, a touch of heavy cream, and vanilla extract for the dreamiest buttercream.

Set your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). This warm environment will be the perfect place for your cake layers to rise and shine.

Creaming the Butter and Sugar: Start by beating the butter and sugar together until they’re fluffy and light, almost like cloud fluff.

Eggs and Vanilla: Crack in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Drizzle in the vanilla extract for that irresistible aroma.

Dry Meets Wet: Alternate adding your sifted dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined to keep the batter airy and light.

Divide the batter into several bowls, one for each color of the rainbow you want to feature in your cake. Add a few drops of gel food coloring to each and mix gently. This is where your unicorn starts to get its magic colors!

Pour each colored batter into prepared cake pans—either buttered or lined with parchment. Spread evenly to ensure a uniform cake layer. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

While the cakes are cooling, whip up your buttercream frosting:

Butter Base: Beat the softened butter until creamy.

Sugary Cloud: Gradually add powdered sugar, then a splash of heavy cream and a hint of vanilla, beating until you have a fluffy, cloud-like frosting.

Color Magic: If you like, tint some of your frosting with pastel colors for decorating.

Layer and Frost: Once cooled, layer your cakes, spreading a generous amount of buttercream between each layer. The colors will peek out, hinting at the magic inside.

Crumb Coat: Apply a thin coat of frosting all over the cake to seal in crumbs. Chill for about 20 minutes to set.

Final Frosting: Cover the cake with a final layer of frosting, smoother and more perfect than the first. This is your canvas for further decoration.

Now for the fun part—decorating your unicorn cake:

Unicorn Features: Use fondant or more buttercream to create a spiraled horn and adorable ears.

Mane and Eyes: Pipe colorful buttercream swirls for the mane and add some fondant eyes for a charming effect.

Edible Glitter: Sprinkle some magic with edible glitter, adding sparkle to your fantastical creation.

Your unicorn cake is now ready to dazzle at any party, turning every gathering into a mythical event. Slice it up, serve, and watch as your guests marvel at the magic you’ve created.