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Rainbow Swirl Tie-Dye Pound Cake

A buttery, tender vanilla loaf cake featuring vibrant swirls of pink, blue, and yellow, topped with a dripping pastel rainbow glaze.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Vanilla Cake Batter
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 0.75 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 0.25 cup whole milk room temperature
  • 3 drops gel food coloring pink, blue, yellow
Rainbow Glaze
  • 1.5 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 3 tbsp heavy cream or milk, divided
  • 0.5 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 9x5-inch Loaf Pan
  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Small Mixing Bowls
  • Butter Knife or Skewer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
  3. Beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
  5. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk, mixing on low just until combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Tint one pink, one blue, and one yellow using gel food coloring.
  7. Dollop alternating spoonfuls of colored batter into the pan. Swirl gently with a knife 3-4 times.
  8. Bake for 45-55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  9. Whisk powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla to make the glaze. Divide into three bowls and tint pink, blue, and yellow.
  10. Spoon stripes of the colored glaze over the cooled cake, letting it drip down the sides. Let set before slicing.

Notes

Always use gel food coloring rather than liquid drops to ensure the batter's consistency isn't altered and the colors remain vibrant.