I am making a sponge cake but have no vanilla essence so what should I do?

[smurfgirl]

I am still in pjs with wet hair so really can't be bothered going anywhere to get some but obv if I have to I will.

The cake is supposed to be 5 layers each a different bright colour (rainbow cake) with buttercream inbetween each layer so it needs to be fairly neutral coloured to work...

Any ideas? I have lemon juice, coffee granuals, honey, various spices (nutmeg etc)?

leave it plain, no-one will notice

I don't always use vanilla essence. It's fine without. I don't think honey would work unless you left out some of the sugar too.

either plain, or with lemon zest if you have it

lemon juice would be nice - put a little lemon juice in the buttercream as well.

Lemon zest will be lovely, or just leave it out. It will be fine.

And vanilla extract is much much nicer than vanilla essence ... but maybe that's what you mean anyway.

I was worried it would be a bland brightly coloured sponge but if I don't have to put it in I won't.

I usually stick a bit of lemon in my buttercream so will do that.

something like this:
www.flickr.com/photos/jenandchuck/2524713830/

Thanks

Cocoa powder?

oh

er

goodness

that is bright

That photo is fantastic!!! Out of interest, am very impressed at the 5 brightly coloured layers. Might have to try something similar for dds party this summer. What shape was the whole cake? A circle, or did you cut it to be a kind of rainbow arc?

Thats not my picture, mine will be a traditional round shape. I think its a bit garish really but its for a friend and she really wants it so I said I would try.

There is a lot of food colouring involved!

I hope you have the paste ones...

Hahaha yes!

I have made blue, lilac, pink and green so far. Its scary!

I think kids will LOVE that cake. It's just soooooo loud!