Rainbow Layers of Oz

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-31 · Updated 2026-03-31

A vibrant vegan dessert inspired by the colors of the Land of Oz, featuring layers of sponge cake, fruit compote, and dairy-free chocolate ganache. This american-inspired vegan ready in about 105 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 45 min Cook: 60 min Serves 8 American cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup almond milk
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup raspberries
1 cup blueberries
1 cup strawberries
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tbsp cocoa nibs

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Equipment for this recipe

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round pans.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk oil, almond milk, and applesauce until emulsified.
Step 3: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until smooth. Divide batter evenly into pans.
Step 4: Bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
Step 5: For compote: Simmer 1 cup each raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries with 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tbsp lemon juice until thickened.
Step 6: For ganache: Heat coconut oil and cocoa powder over low heat, stirring until smooth. Fold in cocoa nibs.
Step 7: Layer cooled cakes with compote and ganache, finishing with a ganache drizzle and edible glitter.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Rainbow Layers of Oz take to make?

Total time is about 105 minutes (45 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Rainbow Layers of Oz?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Rainbow Layers of Oz?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Rainbow Layers of Oz for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Rainbow Layers of Oz vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.