I love rainbows. Yes, I am in my mid 30s and I still smile when I see another rainbow rendition, be it a flower lei, a set of umbrellas, or a frosted cupcake. Lucky for me, my kids love rainbows too. Rainbow drawings, rainbow markers, rainbow rocks, and yes, rainbow food. What’s not to love? It’s colorful and colorful is fun. In our house, regular meals don’t typically include a dish with all the colors of the rainbow, so when rainbow foods are served (especially fairy bread!), it’s definitely special.
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When I make fairy bread, my kids’ eyes grow so big and get sparkly. It makes my heart feel all warm and gooey. If you haven’t been introduced to fairy bread yet, its basic form is white bread with butter and colorful sprinkles, typically served at birthday parties. (Um, genius. Why bake a cake when you can just serve colorful bread and butter?!) It’s been around in Australia for at least a century. Fairy bread and related rainbow treats have been making their way stateside, and my kids can’t get enough. If you’re celebrating something, big or little, bust out some fairy bread for a quick treat, or try one of these other brilliant rainbow recipes that’ll turn any old day into something special. Check out all the rainbow goodness in the slideshow.
Note: If you’re avoiding artificial food coloring, there are natural food coloring options out there like ColorKitchen’s cupcake coloring set ($7.99, Amazon.com) , made with no artificial dyes or colors.
More Decadent Recipes:
Fairy Bread & More Rainbow Treats
How to Make Fairy Bread
It's super simple and simply delicious. Fairy bread is a special treat for the gray days, snow days, rainy days, or doctor appointment days. Or really any day you need a pick-me-up.
Recipe: Smart School House
Image: Smart School House
Rainbow Cannoli
Holy cannoli! Who wouldn't love this rainbow deliciousness filled with cream? Yes, please!
Recipe: Studio DIY
Image: Studio DIY
Easy Rainbow Cake
Part of me feels bad eating it. It should be kept and stared lovingly at for a long time.
Recipe: Just a Taste
Image: Just a Taste
Skinny Fairy Bites
Just in case you're worried you can't indulge, this option might be for you. I love the gold stars.
Recipe: The Skinny Fork
Image: The Skinny Fork
Rainbow Layer Cake
Kids can help mix the colored batters for this over-the-top colorful spring cake.
Get the recipe: Momtastic
Image: Momtastic
Rainbow Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
If crust is akin to the devil in your household, turning your PB&Js into a multi-colored treat will guarantee clean plates every time.
Get the recipe: Momtastic
Image: Momtastic
Jello Cookies
I love the bold colors of these cookies. They're bright and springy and fun.
Recipe: The Plaid & Paisley Kitchen
Image: The Plaid & Paisley Kitchen
Fairy Bread Party Cake
So fairy bread is good and cute, but a cake that looks like fairy bread is even better. Love it!
Recipe: Sprinkle Bakes
Image: Sprinkle Bakes
Magical Unicorn Cupcakes
I mean, the name alone---magical unicorn cupcakes---is winning, but then you see the color and the surprise inside (and the mile high frosting) and you win all over again.
Recipe: Jenny at Dapperhouse
Image: Jenny at Dapperhouse
Rainbow Bread
Jazz up your sandwiches and toast with rainbow bread. It's definitely a mood improver.
Recipe: Dessert Now Dinner Later
Image: Dessert Now Dinner Later
Rainbow Fruit Pizza
Real food can also be rainbow colored, and color means lots of the good stuff we're supposed to have. So eat!
Recipe: Well Plated by Erin
Image: Well Plated by Erin
Vegan Fairy Bread Cake
Everyone---everyone---should be able to enjoy fairy bread.
Recipe: The Moonblush Baker
Image: The Moonblush Baker
Rainbow Cupcakes
These cupcakes look totally unassuming and vanilla until you bite into them and get hit with a colorful surprise.
Get the recipe: Momtastic
Image: Momtastic
Rainbow Ice Cubes
Drop these in a punch bowl for a colorful party surprise.
Get the recipe: Momtastic
Image: Momtastic
Rainbow Fruit Cookie Cake
Colorful fruits, frosting, and sugar cookies combine in this "fruitful" dessert. I'll have two, please.
Recipe: I Am Baker
Image: I Am Baker
Rainbow Heart Cookies
This is one of my most favoritest finds on the web. I love hearts, and it's just so darling!
Recipe: Eugenie Kitchen
Image: Eugenie Kitchen
Rainbow Mosaic Cake
This treat is one part art project, one part color theory, whole part yumminess.
Recipe: this heart of mine
Image: this heart of mine
Perfect Rainbow Pancakes
Top o' the morning to you. I raise you a stack of rainbow pancakes. Try to have a bad day after that.
Recipe: I Am Baker
Image: I Am Baker
Edible Sprinkle Bowls
Plain old vanilla ice cream never looked so good. Sprinkle bowls make everyone go all heart-eyed.
Recipe: this heart of mine
Image: this heart of mine
Rainbow Cookie Cake
I would take a sugar cookie over a piece of cake, so this cookie cake speaks to me. It says "Eat me." And who am I to refuse that?
Recipe: I Am Baker
Image: I Am Baker
Taste the Rainbow...Jello!
I mean, really? How can one not smile at this? I'd almost hate to eat it and disrupt the order. Almost.
Recipe: Glorious Treats
Image: Glorious Treats