Rainbow Cakes

I was reading in my Family Fun magazine several weeks ago and saw a baking project that I just HAD to try.  I had all the ingredients in my pantry (refrigerator or faucet), cake mix, olive oil, eggs, water, and most importantly Wilton food coloring.  

Now all I needed was a reason to make them.  I know, I could have just made them for my family, but really I knew I would end up eating most of them.  I needed an event to which I could bring them.  My nieces birthday party was the perfect excuse.  As soon as my sister invited me, I volunteered to bring the cupcakes.

I made the batter and then separated it evenly into six different bowls.  I spooned the colors, in layers, into the cupcake tins.  

The girls all enjoyed licking the empty batter bowls.

Thankfully they divided evenly among the three of them.

Each girl chose one color and mommy gave them whatever was left for their second bowl.

This is what they looked like going into the oven.  You can't tell there are six layers of color . . . yet.

Then, voila! There is an eruption of color. I was actually disappointed when I first saw them.  It looked like all the colors had "mooshed" together and the "golden brown" that normally signifies doneness made these look a little weird.

Imagine my delight when I broke open the first cupcake to discover this!!  I was so excited!  It had worked!  I think I will do the red as my first color next time.  That way it will look like lava coming up out of the cupcake.

Even the little ones thought these were pretty cupcakes. Score!!