# Ingredient List:
→ Cake Layers
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 2 cups granulated sugar
07 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
09 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature
10 - Gel food coloring in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple
→ Piñata Filling
11 - 1 1/2 cups assorted small candies such as mini M&Ms, rainbow sprinkles, and gummy bears
→ Frosting
12 - 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
13 - 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 1/4 cup whole milk
15 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
16 - Pinch of salt
17 - Gel food coloring for decorating, optional
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating thoroughly after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined without overmixing.
06 - Divide batter evenly into six bowls. Tint each portion with a different gel food coloring to create red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple batters.
07 - Pour each colored batter into its own prepared 8-inch pan, or bake in batches if using only three pans. Smooth the tops and bake for 15-18 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Allow layers to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks for complete cooling.
09 - Using a 3-inch round cutter, cut a hole in the center of four cake layers, leaving the top and bottom layers intact.
10 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
11 - Place the purple whole layer on a serving plate and spread a thin frosting layer. Stack the cut-out layers with frosting between each, repeating until all cut-out layers are stacked.
12 - Pour the assorted candies into the center cavity created by the stacked cut-out layers.
13 - Place the final whole cake layer on top to cover the candy-filled cavity.
14 - Generously frost the outside and top of the assembled cake with remaining frosting. Decorate with colored frosting, sprinkles, or festive decorations as desired.
15 - Chill the cake for 30 minutes before slicing to ensure clean cuts and to reveal the candy piñata surprise inside.
