Directions
Preparation:1hour  ›  Cook:30min  ›  Extra time:30min  ›  Ready in:2hours 

1. Cake: Preheat the oven to 170 degrees C. Grease six round 20cm cake tins and line with baking paper.
2. Beat together the butter, sugar and vanilla until pale and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add the flour, mixing well until smooth.
3. Divide the milk between six mixing bowls. Add one food colouring to each bowl and stir well. Start with just a little colour, adding more if needed to reach your desired hue.
4. Divide the cake mixture into six equal portions, weighing into the six bowls with the food colouring. Mix the cake mixture with the food colouring, using a a clean spoon or whisk each time.
5. Place the mixtures into the prepared cake tins and level the top.
6. Bake the cakes for 20 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely.
7. Once cakes are cool, use a sharp serrated knife to cut the tops off of the cakes so that each layer is of the same height.
8. Buttercream: Beat the butter for 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the icing sugar gradually, mixing well. Finally mix in the milk.
9. To Assemble: Spread a bit of icing on the bottom of a serving platter or cake stand. Place the purple cake on top, then spread the top of the cake with icing. Top with the blue cake and repeat. Continue in this order: green, yellow, orange, red.
10. Spread the entire cake, top and sides, with a thin layer of buttercream. Place in the fridge or freezer for 30 minutes, or until the icing sets.
11. Remove cake from fridge and spread the remaining icing over all sides of the cake. Decorate as desired, and serve.

Note on Baking

If you don't have six 20cm cake tins, bake as many layers as you can at a time. Remove from the oven, then remove cakes from tins and repeat with any remaining unbaked layers.