Dolly Varden Four-Layer Cake

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Cakes cupcakes Vanilla: Extract Medium

Four colored layers of chocolate, vanilla, rose and yellow cake are stacked with jam and a soft icing. This is our modern take on the Victorian original. Makes 12 slices in about 2 hr 10 min.

Prep 40 min

Cook 30 min

Cooling 1 hr

Total 2 hr 10 min

Yield 12 slices

Ingredients

Adjust yield

slices

¾ cup (170 g)unsalted butter, softened, for the cake
1 cup (220 g)granulated sugar
3 (150 g)eggs
2 cups (250 g)all-purpose flour
2 tsp (8 g)baking powder
¼ tsp (2 g)fine salt
¾ cup (180 ml)whole milk, for the cake
1 tsp (5 ml)vanilla extract, for the cake
½ oz (15 g)cocoa powder, for chocolate layer
1 tsp (5 ml)rose water, for rose layer
1 pinchpink gel food coloring
½ cup (150 g)seedless red jam
¾ cup (170 g)unsalted butter, softened, for the frosting
2 ½ cups (300 g)powdered sugar
2 tbsp (30 ml)whole milk, for the frosting
1 tsp (5 ml)vanilla extract, for the frosting

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Instructions

Heat the oven to 350 F (175 C). Grease and line four 8-inch (20 cm) round pans, or bake in two rounds.
Beat the butter and sugar until pale. Add the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla.
Add the flour, baking powder and salt in three additions alternating with the milk to make a smooth batter.
Divide into four bowls. Leave two bowls plain (the vanilla and yellow layers), stir the cocoa into one bowl, and stir the rose water and pink coloring into the last.
Bake each layer 12 to 15 minutes until springy. Cool completely.
Beat the frosting butter with powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until fluffy.
Stack in order chocolate, vanilla, rose and yellow, spreading each with jam. Cover the top and sides with frosting.
Chill 30 minutes to set before slicing to show the colored stripes.

Tips

Weigh the batter to divide it evenly.
Cool the layers fully so the jam does not melt.
Trim the edges for a neat striped cross-section.
Good with tea.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make dolly varden four-layer cake?

Plan on 40 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking, plus 1 hour to chill. The recipe makes 12 slices.

How should I store dolly varden four-layer cake?

Refrigerate up to 4 days; serve at room temperature.

Can I make dolly varden four-layer cake ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp vanilla extract, for the cake (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

A 19th-century layer cake named for the coquettish Dolly Varden in Dickens's Barnaby Rudge, made in contrasting colored layers. Serve it with tea.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

515 Calories / serving

17.5g Fat

85.3g Carbs

5.1g Protein

59.9g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~6180 cal · 210g fat · 1024g carbs · 61g protein · 719g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.