By Edna Posted on

Rainbow Citrus Cake Recipe

Square

This is pretty even after slicing, and is great for a shower or special luncheon — not difficult to do, but time consuming.

Difficulty: Average
Make Ahead
Serves 12

Ingredients:

Cake

  • 3-1/2 cups sifted flour
  • 2-1/4 cups sugar
  • 5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup shortening
  • 1-1/2 cups milk
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 teaspoons each lemon, orange and lime rind yellow, red and green food color

Filling

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine

Frosting

  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine
  • 1 package (16 ounces) confectioners’ sugar pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons corn syrup
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • yellow and red food color orange and lime slices for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Grease and flour three 9″ round cake pans.
  3. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into bowl.
  4. Add shortening, milk, eggs and vanilla.
  5. Beat at low speed 1 minute.
  6. Increase speed to high; beat 3 minutes longer.
  7. Divide batter among 3 bowls.
  8. Add lemon rind and yellow food color to first bowl; stir to blend, and pour into pan.
  9. Add orange rind and yellow and red food color to second bowl; stir to blend, and pour into second pan.
  10. Add lime rind and green food color to third bowl; stir to blend, and pour into third pan.
  11. Bake for 30 minutes.
  12. Cool 5 minutes in pans, then turn out and cool completely on racks.
  13. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch and salt in large saucepan.
  14. Beat in egg yolks and water.  Cook, stirring constantly until mixture bubbles 1 minute.
  15. Remove from heat.  Stir in lemon juice and 2 tablespoons butter.
  16. Pour into glass bowl, cover surface with plastic wrap, and cool completely.
  17. In a small bowl at medium speed beat 1/2 cup butter until soft.
  18. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar and salt.
  19. Add orange juice, corn syrup and vanilla, and beat until mixture is of spreading consistency.
  20. Tint orange with yellow and red food color.
  21. To assemble, put cooled layers together with lemon filling, and frost top and sides with orange cream frosting.
  22. Decorate with orange and lime slices.
  23. Refrigerate until serving.