Funfetti Cake Recipe
If you’re on the lookout for a dessert that guarantees smiles and a touch of nostalgia, Funfetti Cake is an absolute must. Imagine tender, buttery layers packed with vibrant rainbow sprinkles and topped with a pillow of fluffy vanilla frosting, making every bite pure, colorful joy. This Funfetti Cake is more than just a treat for birthdays or celebrations—it’s a celebration in itself, sparkling with cheerful color and homemade goodness, always ready to brighten anyone’s day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the short list of ingredients for Funfetti Cake couldn’t be easier, but each one plays a key role in creating that tender crumb, rich flavor, and signature confetti pop. Here’s why every piece matters, from the flour to those all-important rainbow sprinkles.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the cake its sturdy yet delicate structure so each slice holds together beautifully.
- Baking powder: Adds plenty of lift for light, fluffy layers you’ll want to sink your fork into.
- Salt: Just a little highlights all the sweet, buttery notes throughout the cake.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Makes the cake rich and flavorful; softened butter whips up light for the perfect base.
- Granulated sugar: Brings sweetness plus a touch of moistness to every colorful crumb.
- Large eggs: Provide structure, richness, and a beautiful golden hue.
- Vanilla extract: Adds signature cake flavor and warmth—a classic for a reason.
- Whole milk: Keeps the batter smooth while making the cake extra moist and tender.
- Sour cream: Boosts tang and moisture, giving Funfetti Cake an irresistibly soft crumb.
- Rainbow sprinkles (jimmies): The star of the show! Jimmies hold their color best and burst playfulness into every slice.
- For the frosting:
- Unsalted butter (softened): Creamy and dreamy, this is the rich base you want for silky-smooth frosting.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting, making it perfectly spreadable.
- Heavy cream: Adds lusciousness and makes that frosting extra fluffy.
- Vanilla extract: A must for irresistible classic flavor.
- Pinch of salt: Just a pinch amps up the frosting’s sweetness and brings out its best.
- Additional sprinkles: Because there’s no such thing as too much fun on a Funfetti Cake!
How to Make Funfetti Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Ingredients
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats up, grease and line two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. This step ensures your Funfetti Cake will release easily after baking for perfectly intact, beautiful layers. Gather all your ingredients so you’re ready to bake with everything right at hand.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps evenly disperse the leavening agent, so the cake rises evenly and the crumb stays soft and fine. A quick whisk prevents lumps down the line, making sure every bite is tender.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light, fluffy, and almost doubled in volume. This process aerates the mixture, giving you those dreamy, soft layers everyone expects from homemade Funfetti Cake.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each, to help them emulsify fully into the batter. Stir in the vanilla extract for that lovely bakery scent and deep, classic flavor. At this point, your kitchen should already smell amazing!
Step 5: Incorporate Sour Cream
Gently mix in the sour cream right after the eggs and vanilla. This step might seem small, but it’s crucial for the cake’s signature moist texture and slight tang, both of which balance the sweetness of the sprinkles marvelously.
Step 6: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk
Add about a third of your dry mix to the wet ingredients, followed by half the milk. Continue alternating, ending with the dry mix. Stir until just combined each time—overmixing can make the cake tough, and you want a super tender Funfetti Cake.
Step 7: Gently Fold In the Sprinkles
Pour in the rainbow jimmies and use a spatula to fold them in gently, just enough so they’re evenly dispersed but not so much that the colors bleed. This is where the magic (and color) truly happens!
Step 8: Bake the Cake
Divide the batter between your prepared pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. The cakes should spring back lightly when touched. Allow them to cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 9: Prepare the Frosting
While the cakes are cooling, beat the softened butter until it’s creamy and light. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then the cream, vanilla, and pinch of salt. Beat until the frosting is fluffy and easy to spread—prime for swooping onto your Funfetti Cake.
Step 10: Frost and Decorate
Once the cakes are completely cool, spread a generous layer of frosting between the two layers, then cover the top and sides with even more. Sprinkle with extra rainbow jimmies to finish, and voilà—your Funfetti Cake is ready to take center stage!
How to Serve Funfetti Cake
Garnishes
The obvious (and most joyful) garnish is a thick shower of extra rainbow sprinkles right on top! For even more visual pop, try adding a few edible sparkles or colored sugar, or pipe a simple border with leftover frosting. Your Funfetti Cake will truly look party-ready.
Side Dishes
Funfetti Cake is a superstar all on its own, but if you’re thinking of sides, scoop up some vanilla ice cream or serve with a medley of fresh berries. Both pair beautifully with the cake’s rich sweetness and keep things feeling light and festive!
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, cut the cake into mini squares for bite-sized treats, or turn your classic Funfetti Cake into cupcakes by portioning the batter into lined tins (just bake for less time!). You can also stack up mini cakes for a whimsical tiered effect—each layer studded with sprinkles, of course!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftover Funfetti Cake, simply cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate for up to five days. The fridge helps keep the frosting firm while preserving all that moistness.
Freezing
Funfetti Cake freezes beautifully, whether it’s frosted or unfrosted. Wrap individual slices or full layers in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving for best texture and taste.
Reheating
Although Funfetti Cake is typically enjoyed at room temperature, you can revive slices by letting them sit out for 20 minutes, or zap briefly in the microwave (10-second bursts) if eating straight from the fridge. This brings back that just-baked softness without melting the frosting entirely.
FAQs
Can I use nonpareils instead of jimmies for the sprinkles?
It’s best to stick with jimmies, as nonpareils tend to bleed their color into the batter, possibly turning your beautiful Funfetti Cake gray or muddy. Jimmies hold their shape and color, giving you those distinct bursts of fun in every bite.
How can I tell when my cake is done?
Your Funfetti Cake layers are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake springs back lightly when touched. Keep an eye on the final minutes of baking to prevent overbaking and drying out the cake layers.
Can I make this recipe into cupcakes?
Absolutely! Simply divide the batter among 24 lined cupcake tins and bake at 350°F for about 16–18 minutes. They come out just as moist and festive, perfect for parties or sharing.
Why is sour cream important in this recipe?
Sour cream is the secret to a moist, tender crumb and a gentle tang that keeps Funfetti Cake from tasting overly sweet. It adds incredible richness and helps balance the flavor profile to perfection.
What’s the best way to apply the sprinkles to the top?
Once you’ve frosted the cake, gently pat extra sprinkles onto the frosting while it’s still soft. This helps them adhere firmly and ensures every slice of your Funfetti Cake gets its fair share of colorful joy!
Final Thoughts
Baking Funfetti Cake is honestly one of the easiest ways to spread instant happiness—no matter the occasion. With its tender crumb, creamy frosting, and joyful rainbow sprinkles, there’s simply no resisting another slice. Do yourself a favor and whip up this Funfetti Cake soon; you’ll love how it brightens up the room and makes everybody smile!
Print
Funfetti Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Funfetti Cake recipe is a colorful and festive dessert perfect for birthdays or any celebration. Moist and fluffy vanilla cake studded with rainbow sprinkles, topped with a creamy buttercream frosting, and more sprinkles for a fun finish.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies, not nonpareils)
Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- additional sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare cake pans.
- Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, then stir in sour cream.
- Combine wet and dry: Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the wet ingredients, then fold in sprinkles.
- Bake: Divide batter, bake for 25–30 minutes, then cool.
- Make frosting: Beat butter, add powdered sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Frost cakes: Frost cooled cakes and garnish with sprinkles.
Notes
- For cupcakes, bake for 16–18 minutes.
- Use jimmies sprinkles to prevent bleeding colors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
