If ever there was a reason to celebrate, this Funfetti Cake is it! Imagine supremely soft vanilla cake layers, studded with a riot of rainbow sprinkles and smothered in a creamy, dreamy buttercream frosting. There’s something about those colorful specks that instantly sparks joy, and every bite is a confetti-filled reminder that sometimes, dessert should simply be all about fun. Whether it’s for a birthday, a Tuesday, or just because, this Funfetti Cake always brings happy vibes to the table and never fails to turn even an ordinary day into a mini party.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about what makes this cake so magical. The ingredients for Funfetti Cake are delightfully familiar, but each is thoughtfully chosen to create a soft, tender crumb and that iconic sprinkle-studded appearance. Here’s what you need, and why each piece of the puzzle matters:
- All-purpose flour: The base for a perfectly light yet sturdy cake texture.
- Baking powder: Helps the cake rise into tall, fluffy layers.
- Salt: Enhances every sweet and buttery note.
- Unsalted butter: Brings richness and that melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the deal and adds moisture for a beautifully soft bite.
- Egg whites: Keep the cake white (so the sprinkles pop!), while making the crumb incredibly tender.
- Vanilla extract: Provides a classic, nostalgic cake flavor you’ll love.
- Whole milk: Adds moisture and a nice, rich body to the batter.
- Sour cream: The secret weapon for extra moist and fluffy layers.
- Rainbow sprinkles (jimmies-style): These hold their color and won’t bleed into the batter—essential for that signature Funfetti look.
- Additional sprinkles: Because more is more when it comes to celebratory cake decorating.
- Powdered sugar (for frosting): Delivers smooth, fluffy sweetness in every swirl of buttercream.
- Heavy cream or milk (for frosting): Loosens the frosting to the perfect, spreadable consistency.
- Pinch of salt (for frosting): Balances the sweetness and highlights the vanilla flavor.
How to Make Funfetti Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Preheat
Start by getting organized: grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to set yourself up for easy cake release later. Preheat your oven to 350°F so it’s ready to go the moment your batter is mixed. This step sets the stage for baking success!
Step 2: Whisk Up the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This not only combines everything thoroughly, but also aerates the flour, which helps your Funfetti Cake bake up super tender and light.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat your softened butter and sugar together until pale, fluffy, and almost cloud-like—about 2 to 3 minutes. This traps air in the batter, ensuring your layers bake up beautifully soft and lofty.
Step 4: Add Egg Whites and Vanilla
With the mixer running, add egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition. This helps emulsify the batter and give that delicate structure. Splash in the vanilla for a burst of classic cake flavor.
Step 5: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the milk and sour cream until smooth. This mixture brings extra moisture and tangy flavor to every bite!
Step 6: Bring It All Together
Now, build your batter: add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk and sour cream mixture. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined each time. This careful approach keeps your Funfetti Cake crumb ultra-tender.
Step 7: Fold in the Sprinkles
Here’s the fun part: gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles with a spatula, just enough to distribute them throughout the batter. Be gentle to avoid streaking, and use jimmies-style sprinkles for best results—they hold up when baked!
Step 8: Bake!
Divide your batter evenly between the two prepared pans, smooth the tops, and pop them in the oven. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached. Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely—patience pays off here for sturdy stacking later!
Step 9: Make the Frosting
In a clean mixing bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then the vanilla, pinch of salt, and just enough heavy cream or milk to make the frosting thick, fluffy, and easily spreadable. The result? The ultimate birthday cake-style buttercream for slathering between your colorful layers.
Step 10: Frost and Decorate
Once your cakes are cool, spread an even layer of frosting between the layers, then cover the whole cake in more frosting. Finish with a generous shower of rainbow sprinkles on top—the more the merrier!
How to Serve Funfetti Cake
Garnishes
The crowning glory of any Funfetti Cake is, of course, an extra heap of rainbow sprinkles. A few fun ideas: try mixing shapes and sizes of sprinkles, curling a little white chocolate on top for extra flair, or piping playful buttercream swirls around the edges to add even more color and dimension.
Side Dishes
While this cake is the star, sometimes pairing it with a scoop of vanilla or berry ice cream doubles the festivity, especially for summer parties. For a lighter touch, serve alongside fresh berries or a simple fruit compote to balance the sweetness and add a pop of freshness to your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Funfetti Cake is endlessly adaptable: try baking the batter into cupcakes for easy grab-and-go treats at birthday parties, slice the layers into whimsical shapes using cookie cutters, or stack mini cakes for a show-stopping dessert centerpiece. No matter how you serve it, each slice will be a celebration in itself.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow find yourself with leftover cake, wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly with plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen is particularly hot or humid, pop it in the fridge so the frosting holds up beautifully.
Freezing
Cake layers themselves freeze wonderfully! Simply wrap cooled cakes tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw them at room temperature before assembling and frosting. You can even freeze frosted slices—just let them sit at room temp until soft and delicious again.
Reheating
Funfetti Cake is best enjoyed at room temperature so the frosting is nice and creamy. If it’s chilled or frozen, let the cake or slices sit out for 30 to 60 minutes. For an extra cozy treat, heat an individual slice in the microwave for just 5-10 seconds for that irresistibly “fresh-baked” softness.
FAQs
Can I use different sprinkles for this Funfetti Cake?
Stick with jimmies-style sprinkles (the long, rod-shaped ones) as nonpareils or confetti sprinkles tend to bleed color into the batter. Jimmies keep their cheery colors intact throughout baking!
Can I make this Funfetti Cake as cupcakes?
Absolutely! Simply divide the batter among lined muffin tins and reduce the baking time to 18-20 minutes. You’ll get about 24 joyful cupcakes, perfect for any party or gathering.
Is it okay to use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?
Yes, a hand mixer works just fine for both the cake and the frosting. Just be sure to beat the butter and sugar until truly light and fluffy, since this step builds the cake’s beautiful texture.
Can I make Funfetti Cake in advance?
Yes, you can! Bake the cake layers a day ahead, wrap tightly in plastic, and store at room temperature or in the fridge. Frost on the day you plan to serve for the freshest, fluffiest results.
What’s the best way to cut a Funfetti Cake for clean slices?
For picture-perfect slices, use a long, sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts. This will glide easily through the soft cake and sticky frosting, giving you those show-stopping layers in every piece.
Final Thoughts
Life feels a little more magical with a Funfetti Cake on the table! Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or just want to add a burst of color and joy to your day, this recipe promises big smiles and even bigger flavor. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if it becomes the most requested cake in your baking lineup—happy baking and even happier eating!
Print
Funfetti Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate any occasion with this delightful Funfetti Cake recipe. Soft, moist, and bursting with colorful sprinkles, this homemade cake is perfect for birthdays or any festive gathering. Paired with a creamy vanilla buttercream frosting, it’s a true crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large egg whites (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk (room temperature)
- ½ cup sour cream (room temperature)
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies-style)
- Additional sprinkles for garnish
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Prepare batter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg whites, vanilla extract, and alternate adding dry ingredients and milk mixture.
- Add sprinkles and bake: Gently fold in rainbow sprinkles, divide batter between pans, and bake for 28–32 minutes. Cool cakes on a rack.
- Make frosting: Beat butter until creamy, gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla, salt, and cream until fluffy.
- Frost and decorate: Frost cooled cakes and decorate with additional sprinkles.
Notes
- Use jimmies-style sprinkles to prevent color bleeding in the batter.
- For cupcakes, reduce bake time to 18–20 minutes.
- Cake layers can be made ahead and frozen for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
