Sharing is caring!

Funfetti Cake is a cheerful and colorful dessert featuring a soft vanilla cake filled with rainbow sprinkles and layered with fluffy frosting. It’s a celebration in every slice—playful, nostalgic, and irresistible for birthdays, holidays, or any day that calls for a little joy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Festive & Fun: Rainbow sprinkles baked into the cake make it vibrant.

• Soft & Fluffy Texture: Perfectly moist vanilla cake layers.

• Rich Frosting: Creamy, tangy frosting complements the sweet crumb.

• Great for Celebrations: The ultimate birthday or party cake.

• Customizable: Change sprinkle colors for holidays or themes.

The BEST Funfetti Cake

Funfetti Cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a symbol of celebration and happiness. With its colorful sprinkles baked right into the batter, every slice feels like a party on a plate. The combination of soft vanilla cake and creamy frosting makes it both comforting and festive, appealing to kids and adults alike.

The magic of Funfetti Cake lies in its visual charm. As the cake bakes, the sprinkles melt slightly, creating bursts of color scattered throughout the crumb. Each slice reveals a mosaic of bright spots, evoking childhood memories of birthdays, balloons, and laughter. It’s a dessert that instantly lifts the spirit, making any occasion feel more joyful.

What makes this cake especially delightful is that beneath its playful appearance lies a truly well-balanced recipe. The cake itself is soft, moist, and tender, made with butter for richness and milk for structure. The sprinkles aren’t just decoration—they add subtle texture and sweetness, blending seamlessly into the crumb.

The frosting adds another layer of indulgence. Made with butter, powdered sugar, and a touch of sour cream, it’s rich yet slightly tangy, cutting through the sweetness of the cake. When spread generously over the layers and sprinkled with more confetti, it creates the perfect harmony of flavor and texture.

This cake is also versatile. While it’s most commonly associated with birthdays, its playful look makes it suitable for any celebration—graduations, holidays, or even casual get-togethers. By swapping the colors of the sprinkles, you can customize it to match the theme, making it as flexible as it is fun.

From a practical standpoint, Funfetti Cake is straightforward to prepare. The batter comes together quickly, and the layers bake evenly, making assembly easy even for beginner bakers. The frosting is forgiving, and the sprinkles help cover any imperfections, ensuring the finished cake always looks delightful.

The cake’s appeal spans generations. For many, it carries nostalgia, recalling childhood parties and boxed cake mixes that made celebrations simple. This homemade version, however, elevates the classic with richer flavor, better texture, and fresher ingredients, turning a nostalgic treat into something truly special.

Its ability to create instant joy makes it more than just food—it becomes part of the memory. Cutting into a Funfetti Cake, sharing slices with friends and family, and seeing the colorful crumb inside is an experience that sticks with you long after the celebration ends.

The sensory experience is equally satisfying. The first forkful greets you with a soft, fluffy bite of vanilla cake, punctuated by sweet bursts of sprinkle. The frosting is creamy and smooth, balancing sweetness with richness. Together, they create a dessert that is playful, comforting, and indulgent.

This cake also keeps well, making it convenient for parties. Stored covered in the refrigerator, it stays moist and delicious for several days. In fact, some find the flavors meld and improve after a day of resting.

At its core, Funfetti Cake embodies the spirit of celebration. It reminds us that desserts don’t just nourish—they uplift, connect, and create moments of happiness. Every slice carries not only flavor but also the joy of the occasion it represents, making it one of the most beloved cakes across generations.

Servings

Serves: 12 slices

Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

• Cook Time: 25 minutes

• Decorating Time: 20 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups (162 g) all-purpose flour

• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

• 3/4 cup (150 g) sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup whole milk

• 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies style, not nonpareils)

• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

• 2 tablespoons sour cream

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Extra sprinkles for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round pans.

2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.

4. Add flour mixture and milk alternately, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until smooth.

5. Fold in sprinkles gently to avoid color bleeding.

6. Divide batter between pans and bake 25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

7. For frosting, beat powdered sugar, butter, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth.

8. Spread frosting between cake layers, then frost top and sides.

9. Garnish generously with more sprinkles.

Tips

• Use Jimmies Sprinkles: Nonpareils dissolve and bleed color.

• Avoid Overmixing: Fold sprinkles gently to keep colors bright.

• Custom Colors: Match sprinkle colors to party themes or holidays.

• Make Ahead: Cake layers can be baked and frozen in advance.

• Storage: Keeps up to 3 days refrigerated.