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A beautifully decorated unicorn cake with a golden fondant horn, pastel buttercream swirls, and elegant gold eyelashes.

Unicorn Cake: Decoration Ideas & DIY Guide

Sandra
This magical unicorn cake is the perfect centerpiece for birthdays or special celebrations. Featuring vibrant pastel buttercream swirls, a golden fondant horn, and moist vanilla layers, this cake is as delicious as it is beautiful.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

For the Cake:

  • 2 ½ cups cake flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • Gel food coloring pink, blue, yellow, purple

For the Buttercream:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 –3 tbsp heavy cream
  • Gel food coloring same as above

For Decoration:

  • Fondant for the unicorn horn and ears
  • Edible gold dust
  • Candy pearls edible glitter, or sprinkles

Instructions
 

Prepare the Cake Layers:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line 3 round 8-inch cake pans.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
  • Gradually alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
  • Divide the batter into separate bowls and color each with gel food coloring. Pour into the prepared pans.
  • Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.

Make the Buttercream:

  • Beat the butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Mix until creamy and fluffy.
  • Divide into bowls and color with gel food coloring.

3. Assemble the Cake:

  • Place one cake layer on a stand and frost the top. Repeat with remaining layers.
  • Apply a crumb coat to the entire cake and chill for 20 minutes.
  • Use colored buttercream to pipe swirls and rosettes, creating the unicorn mane.

Add Decorations:

  • Shape fondant into a horn and ears. Dust the horn with edible gold dust.
  • Attach the horn, ears, and candy decorations to complete the design.
  •  

Notes

Use gel food coloring for vibrant shades without altering the consistency of the batter or frosting.
Chill the buttercream for easier piping.
Fondant decorations should be prepared a day in advance to allow them to harden.
Apply edible glitter sparingly for a dazzling effect without overpowering the design.