How to make a Wild Tie-Dye Cake

Updated on January 16, 2016

Colorful Cakes

5 stars from 2 ratings of Tie Dye Cake

Making it fun

My daughter is a recent college graduate and still prefers a colorful or wild cake for her birthday. I have made layer cakes with different colored layers as well as vibrant colored frosting. This year she wanted a tie-dye or rainbow swirled cake in neon colors. Here is what I came up with:

The first piece is cut | Source

bottom layer | Source

top layer | Source

Cooking Time

Follow the times suggested on a boxed cake recipe. This cake will take about 15-20 minutes to prepare. It all depends on the quantity of colors you choose.

Ingredients

one box cake mix, white or butter (not yellow) works best
one box neon food colors, water or oil based
one container frosting mix, white
one bottle flavor essence, clear liquid works best, but we used a little chocolate and added additional color
optional - one cup miniature chocolate chips, or candy pieces

Putting it all together

First assemble all the ingredients you will need from my list and the package directions. This cake used four colors so I also used three additional bowls for mixing colors. The top layer picture looks spotted because we added miniature chocolate chips to the batter.
Make the cake mix according to package directions. Make sure you follow the beater times to ensure your cake will be moist. Adding chocolate chips after beating with mixer.
Divide the mix evenly between the bowls (this example is for four colors).
Prepare your pans according to package directions. Set aside.
Add several drops of color to a bowl and mix THOROUGHLY by scraping the sides with a nylon or plastic spatula to ensure all the color is mixed. Repeat this procedure with each bowl. HINT: glass bowls are especially useful for visually checking thorough mixing.
Use a large spoon in each color of batter. Drop spoonfuls of color randomly in the pans or just pour one 1/2 of each colored batter in the two pans. Remember its random so nothing is wrong even if you omit step 7.
Starting at center of pan with end of spatula or wooden spoon, you will either make a spiral motion from center to outer edge, OR you may drag the spoon from center to edge in a straight line several times. I suggest at least eight, for a star-burst effect. In this example we dropped spoonfuls of color and poured one of the colors then did the swirl effect.
Place the pans in oven and cook to box directions.
While the cake is baking, place the frosting in a glass or metal bowl. Add some food color and start to mix. Continue to add a few drops at a time until the proper color is achieved. Color suggestions are usually on the sides of box.

Baking helpers

Wilton Gel Food Color Set, Primary

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OvenStuff Nonstick Round Cake Pan 2 Piece Set, 9"