Instagram

The Rainbow Cake That Deserves a Double Tap

The multicolor dessert all over Instagram.

August 18, 2017

Feast your eyes on the newest multicolor item to grace our feeds and our forks: Bouchon Bakery’s rainbow cake is just what we need right now.

The cake, developed by pastry chef Nicholas Bonamico in the summer of 2015, is a nod to both the legalization of same sex marriage and the Italian tricolore cake. Though two years old, Bouchon’s cake is finding itself at the center of renewed attention after a particularly rainbow-friendly summer. And after all this talk of unicorn Frappuccinos and rainbow bagels, I welcome this cake with a poised thumb.

A 🌈 of rainbow cookies @rockcenternyc @theshopsatcolumbuscircle #yountville #nyc #pride2017

A post shared by Bouchon Bakery (@bouchon_bakery) on

🌈🌈TAG A FRIEND YOU'D SHARE THIS GIANT RAINBOW COOKIE WITH🌈🌈 Credit: @foodsmithnyc #newforkcity

A post shared by New Fork City® (@new_fork_city) on

The cake is truly a marvel to observe. The batter is simple (flour, butter, almond paste, eggs) but the result is decadent. Layers of primary color, in all their ROYGBIV splendor, rest delicately one above the other, interspersed with raspberry and apricot jam. On top is a plane of dusted chocolate, the dark final stop on an otherwise colorful affair.

If you are what you eat, I'm only eating this cake

A post shared by Frosted & Fried | Cheat Food (@frostedandfried) on

A slice goes for $5.50, but reports say that the slice is as filling as it is flashy and recommend splitting a piece between two. If you can't make the journey, the deluge of Instagrams will just have to do. Or, check out this recipe for the Italian cookies Bouchon has been drawing inspiration from:

Do you want to taste the rainbow? Let us know in the comments.

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • BerryBaby
    BerryBaby
  • Allison Walton
    Allison Walton
  • nancy essig
    nancy essig
Valerio is a freelance food writer, editor, researcher and cook. He grew up in his parent's Italian restaurants covered in pizza flour and drinking a Shirley Temple a day. Since, he's worked as a cheesemonger in New York City and a paella instructor in Barcelona. He now lives in Berlin, Germany where he's most likely to be found eating shawarma.

3 Comments

BerryBaby August 18, 2017
The Italian Seven Layered is still my favorite. Although these are quite vivid, flavor seems as though its very similar.
 
Allison W. August 18, 2017
I recently made these Matcha Hibiscus Cheesecake Bites that someone said reminded me of these rainbow cakes! Thought I would share: http://www.andbewell.com/nourishment/matcha-hibiscus-cheesecake
 
nancy E. August 18, 2017
can all that food dye be good for you?