Easy Homemade Funfetti Cake Clara quick dinners

This Easy Homemade Funfetti Cake is a celebration in every slice. Light, fluffy, and packed with colorful rainbow sprinkles, it’s the perfect dessert to bring joy to birthdays, parties, or any day that needs a little extra cheer. Paired with a creamy vanilla buttercream, this cake is as delicious as it is festive.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Homemade Funfetti Cake is far better than the boxed version—it’s rich, moist, and bursting with real vanilla flavor. It’s easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and customizable with your favorite colors or frostings. Whether you’re baking for a special event or just because, this cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Cake:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Unsalted butter, softened
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Whole milk
• Rainbow sprinkles (jimmies work best)

For the Vanilla Buttercream:

• Unsalted butter, softened
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Heavy cream or milk
• A pinch of salt

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
   In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
   Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
5. Add Dry Ingredients and Milk:
   With the mixer on low speed, alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
6. Fold in Sprinkles:
   Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles with a spatula, being careful not to overmix.
7. Bake:
   Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 2530 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool:
   Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Make the Frosting:
   Beat the butter on medium speed until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until fully combined. Add vanilla, salt, and cream one tablespoon at a time until the frosting is light and fluffy.
10. Assemble and Decorate:
    Place one cake layer on a plate and frost the top. Add the second layer, then frost the top and sides. Decorate with more rainbow sprinkles if desired.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 12
• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 2530 minutes
• Total time: About 1 hour (including cooling and decorating)

Variations

• Sheet Cake Version: Bake the batter in a 9×13-inch pan for a simple sheet cake.
• Cupcakes: Divide the batter among cupcake liners and bake for 1820 minutes.
• Different Frosting: Try cream cheese or chocolate buttercream for a different flavor twist.
• Almond Twist: Add a touch of almond extract for a nutty note.

Storage/reheating

• Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before frosting.
• Reheating: Funfetti cake is best served at room temperature. No reheating required.

FAQs

Can I use nonpareils instead of jimmies?

Nonpareils tend to bleed color into the batter. Jimmies are recommended because they hold their shape and color during baking.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the cake layers a day ahead and frost them the next day. Store layers tightly wrapped at room temperature.

How do I keep my cake from being dry?

Don’t overmix the batter, and measure ingredients carefully. Using whole milk and room-temperature butter helps retain moisture.

Can I use buttermilk instead of whole milk?

Yes, buttermilk will add a slight tang and make the cake even more tender.

How can I make this gluten-free?

Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure all other ingredients (including sprinkles) are certified gluten-free.

What’s the best way to frost a layered cake?

Use a crumb coat (a thin layer of frosting) first and chill the cake for 2030 minutes. Then apply the final layer of frosting for a smooth finish.

Can I use this recipe for cupcakes?

Absolutely. It makes about 24 cupcakes. Bake for 1820 minutes at 350°F.

What kind of food coloring works best for sprinkles?

No food coloring is needed unless you want to make your own sprinkles. Store-bought rainbow jimmies are perfect.

Can I double the recipe for a larger cake?

Yes, you can double the recipe for a 3-layer cake or to fill a 9×13-inch pan with extra thickness.

What if I don’t have a mixer?

You can make the cake by hand with a whisk and some elbow grease, but a hand or stand mixer will make it easier to get the right texture.

Conclusion

This Easy Homemade Funfetti Cake is a showstopper that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. With its soft vanilla crumb and colorful surprise inside, it’s perfect for birthdays or any day worth celebrating. Ditch the box mix and make this festive favorite from scratch—you won’t regret it!

Print