Funfetti Cake – The Ultimate Party Cake with Rainbow Sprinkles

Soft, fluffy layers of buttery vanilla cake bursting with rainbow sprinkles, topped with creamy vanilla frosting—because every day deserves a celebration!

🎉 Introduction

Nothing says party quite like Funfetti Cake—the nostalgic, rainbow-sprinkled classic that brings joy to kids and adults alike. This homemade version is extra moist and tender, with layers of buttery vanilla cake studded with colorful sprinkles, and a rich, dreamy vanilla buttercream. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any day that needs a little fun! 🥳

🧰 Equipment Needed

• 2 or 3 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans
• Parchment paper
• Electric mixer (stand or hand)
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk & spatula
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Cooling racks
• Offset spatula

🛒 Ingredients

🥣 Cake Batter

• 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup full-fat sour cream
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tbsp vanilla extract
• ¾ cup rainbow jimmies sprinkles

🍦 Frosting

• 2½ cups unsalted butter, softened
• 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp milk (more as needed)
• ½ cup (90g) rainbow sprinkles, for decorating

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prep & Preheat

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease cake pans, line bottoms with parchment, and grease again.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3: Cream Wet Ingredients

1. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (~3 minutes).
2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
3. Mix in vegetable oil, vanilla, buttermilk, and sour cream until smooth.

Step 4: Combine & Add Sprinkles

1. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing on low until just combined.
2. Gently fold in rainbow sprinkles with a spatula.

Step 5: Bake

1. Divide batter evenly among pans.
2. Bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
3. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

Step 6: Make the Frosting

1. In a large bowl, beat softened butter on medium speed until creamy (~2 minutes).
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing on low.
3. Add vanilla and milk; beat on high for 3 minutes until fluffy, adding more milk if needed.

Step 7: Assemble the Cake

1. Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread frosting evenly over the top.
2. Repeat with remaining layers.
3. Frost the sides and top with remaining frosting.
4. Decorate with extra rainbow sprinkles.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 12–16
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Bake Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes

🥄 Variations

• Chocolate Funfetti: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to dry ingredients
• Lemon Twist: Add 1 tbsp lemon zest for citrus flavor
• Funfetti Cupcakes: Bake in cupcake liners for 18–22 minutes
• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Room Temp: Keep covered up to 2 days
• Refrigerator: Store covered up to 5 days; bring to room temp before serving
• Freezer: Freeze slices or whole cake (well-wrapped) for up to 2 months

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use nonpareils instead of jimmies?
   No—nonpareils bleed color. Jimmies are best!
2. Why is my cake dense?
   Overmixing can cause heaviness.
3. Can I make ahead?
   Yes—bake layers a day ahead; frost the next day.
4. Can I use cake flour?
   Yes—for a finer crumb, swap 3¼ cups all-purpose with 3½ cups cake flour.
5. Can I use low-fat sour cream?
   Full-fat gives the best texture, but low-fat works in a pinch.
6. What if I don’t have buttermilk?
   Make a substitute: 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar, let sit 5 min.
7. How do I get flat cake layers?
   Wrap pans with cake strips or trim tops after baking.
8. Is this recipe good for layered birthday cakes?
   Yes—holds shape beautifully for tiered cakes.
9. What sprinkles work best?
   Classic rainbow jimmies—avoid nonpareils or sanding sugar.
10. Can I frost with cream cheese frosting?
    Absolutely—delicious with funfetti!

🏁 Conclusion

This Funfetti Cake is moist, fluffy, and packed with colorful sprinkles—everything you want for the perfect celebration cake. From birthdays to any day that needs a little extra joy, this homemade version is way better than boxed mixes—and easy to make! 🎉🎂

Funfetti Cake – The Ultimate Party Cake with Rainbow Sprinkles

Adam

Soft, fluffy layers of buttery vanilla cake bursting with rainbow sprinkles, topped with creamy vanilla frosting—because every day deserves a celebration!🎉 Introduction Nothing says party quite like Funfetti Cake—the nostalgic, rainbow-sprinkled classic that brings joy to kids and adults alike. This homemade version is extra moist and tender, with layers of buttery vanilla cake studded with colorful sprinkles, and a rich, dreamy vanilla buttercream. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any day that needs a little fun! 🥳

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings 16 servings

Equipment

• 2 or 3 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans
• Parchment paper
• Electric mixer (stand or hand)
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk & spatula
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Cooling racks
• Offset spatula

Ingredients

  

🥣 Cake Batter

• 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup full-fat sour cream
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tbsp vanilla extract
• ¾ cup rainbow jimmies sprinkles

🍦 Frosting

• 2½ cups unsalted butter softened
• 5 cups powdered sugar sifted
• 2 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp milk more as needed
• ½ cup 90g rainbow sprinkles, for decorating

Instructions

 

Step 1: Prep & Preheat

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease cake pans, line bottoms with parchment, and grease again.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3: Cream Wet Ingredients

• In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (~3 minutes).
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
• Mix in vegetable oil, vanilla, buttermilk, and sour cream until smooth.

Step 4: Combine & Add Sprinkles

• Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing on low until just combined.
• Gently fold in rainbow sprinkles with a spatula.

Step 5: Bake

• Divide batter evenly among pans.
• Bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

Step 6: Make the Frosting

• In a large bowl, beat softened butter on medium speed until creamy (~2 minutes).
• Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing on low.
• Add vanilla and milk; beat on high for 3 minutes until fluffy, adding more milk if needed.

Step 7: Assemble the Cake

• Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread frosting evenly over the top.
• Repeat with remaining layers.
• Frost the sides and top with remaining frosting.
• Decorate with extra rainbow sprinkles.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Chocolate Funfetti: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to dry ingredients

Lemon Twist: Add 1 tbsp lemon zest for citrus flavor

Funfetti Cupcakes: Bake in cupcake liners for 18–22 minutes

Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temp: Keep covered up to 2 days

Refrigerator: Store covered up to 5 days; bring to room temp before serving

Freezer: Freeze slices or whole cake (well-wrapped) for up to 2 months

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use nonpareils instead of jimmies?
No—nonpareils bleed color. Jimmies are best!

Why is my cake dense?
Overmixing can cause heaviness.

Can I make ahead?
Yes—bake layers a day ahead; frost the next day.

Can I use cake flour?
Yes—for a finer crumb, swap 3¼ cups all-purpose with 3½ cups cake flour.

Can I use low-fat sour cream?
Full-fat gives the best texture, but low-fat works in a pinch.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?
Make a substitute: 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar, let sit 5 min.

How do I get flat cake layers?
Wrap pans with cake strips or trim tops after baking.

Is this recipe good for layered birthday cakes?
Yes—holds shape beautifully for tiered cakes.

What sprinkles work best?
Classic rainbow jimmies—avoid nonpareils or sanding sugar.

Can I frost with cream cheese frosting?
Absolutely—delicious with funfetti!

🏁 Conclusion
This Funfetti Cake is moist, fluffy, and packed with colorful sprinkles—everything you want for the perfect celebration cake. From birthdays to any day that needs a little extra joy, this homemade version is way better than boxed mixes—and easy to make! 🎉🎂