Cozy Quilt Patchwork Cake (Printable)

Vibrant patchwork sponge cake with colorful layers and creamy buttercream frosting for a comforting dessert.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Sponge Cake

01 - 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
03 - 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 4 large eggs
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
09 - Gel food coloring (red, yellow, green, blue, purple)

→ Buttercream Frosting

10 - 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
11 - 4 cups powdered sugar
12 - 3 to 4 tablespoons milk
13 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
14 - Pinch of salt

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line five 8 x 8-inch square baking pans or bake in batches if necessary.
02 - In a large bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Incorporate eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
03 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
04 - Alternately add the dry mixture and milk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the dry, mixing just until combined.
05 - Divide the batter evenly into five bowls and tint each with a different gel food coloring.
06 - Pour each colored batter into prepared pans, spread evenly, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
07 - Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring onto wire racks to cool completely.
08 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, beating until fluffy. Add milk to reach desired consistency.
09 - Trim edges of cakes and slice each colored sponge into uniform 1 ¼-inch squares.
10 - Arrange sponge squares in alternating colors on a large tray using thin layers of buttercream to adhere squares. Build layers to create a quilted appearance.
11 - Apply a thin layer of buttercream to the top and sides, smoothing the surface. Optionally, pipe lines with buttercream to enhance the patchwork effect.
12 - Refrigerate the assembled cake for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that looks impossibly complicated but comes together with patience and a little planning—guaranteed to make people ask for your secrets.
  • Each colorful square tastes like classic vanilla sponge, but the rainbow effect makes every bite feel like celebration.
  • You can prep components ahead, making it perfect for when you want to impress without last-minute stress.
02 -
  • The temperature of your ingredients matters more than you might think; cold eggs and cold butter don't incorporate properly, and your batter will look grainy rather than smooth and unified.
  • Gel food coloring is non-negotiable if you want vibrant colors without a thin, runny batter that bakes unevenly.
  • Your frosting needs to be exactly the right consistency—too soft and the cake layers shift when you're stacking, too stiff and it's impossible to spread smoothly; the solution is always a bit of milk, added gradually.
03 -
  • If you're short on oven space, bake in batches and store the cooled layers wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature until you're ready to assemble; they'll keep perfectly fine for a few hours.
  • The secret to a cake that doesn't crumble when you cut it into squares is a completely cooled cake and a sharp serrated knife; rushing either step results in frustration and broken pieces.
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