How to Make Funfetti Cake

Funfetti cake is pure celebration in dessert form. Bright rainbow sprinkles scattered throughout a soft vanilla cake create a playful, colorful treat that instantly feels festive. It’s the cake that shows up at birthdays, parties, graduations, and joyful milestones,  and honestly, it has a way of making ordinary days feel special too.

What makes funfetti cake so loved isn’t just the sprinkles, it’s the combination of a buttery, fluffy vanilla cake paired with creamy frosting and bursts of color in every slice. The texture is soft and tender, the flavor is nostalgic and comforting, and the presentation is guaranteed to make people smile. Despite looking bakery-level fancy, funfetti cake is surprisingly easy to make at home. With the right technique and a few helpful tips, you can bake a moist, vibrant cake that looks impressive and tastes even better.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Funfetti Cake

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  
• 2½ teaspoons baking powder
  
• ½ teaspoon salt
  
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  
• 1¾ cups granulated sugar
  
• 4 large eggs (room temperature)
  
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  
• 1 cup whole milk (room temperature)
  
• ¾ cup rainbow sprinkles (use jimmies-style sprinkles, not nonpareils)

For Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  
• 3–4 cups powdered sugar
  
• 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream
  
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  
• Pinch of salt

Kitchen Tools

• Mixing bowls
  
• Electric mixer or hand whisk
  
• Measuring cups and spoons
  
• Two 8-inch or 9-inch cake pans
  
• Spatula
  
• Cooling rack
  
• Offset spatula (for frosting)

How to Make Funfetti Cake

1. Prepare Your Oven and Pans

• Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F
  
• Grease and line cake pans with parchment paper

This prevents sticking and helps the cakes release easily.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

• Flour
  
• Baking powder
  
• Salt

Set aside. This ensures even distribution of leavening.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl:

• Beat butter and sugar together for 3–5 minutes
  
• Continue until mixture becomes pale and fluffy

This step builds air into the batter, creating a soft cake texture.

4. Add Eggs and Vanilla

• Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition
  
• Stir in vanilla extract

Mixing gradually helps maintain structure and smoothness.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

• Add dry ingredients in batches, alternating with milk
  
• Begin and end with dry ingredients
  
• Mix until just combined

Avoid overmixing, it can make the cake dense.

6. Fold in Sprinkles

• Gently fold in rainbow sprinkles using a spatula

Folding instead of mixing helps keep the sprinkles from bleeding color into the batter.

7. Bake the Cake

• Divide batter evenly between pans
  
• Bake for 25–30 minutes
  
• Cake is ready when a toothpick inserted comes out clean

8. Cool Completely

• Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes
  
• Transfer to a cooling rack
  
• Allow to cool fully before frosting

Warm cakes can melt frosting and ruin structure.

How to Make Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

1. Beat butter until smooth and creamy
   
2. Gradually add powdered sugar
   
3. Add vanilla extract and salt
   
4. Add milk or cream slowly until frosting reaches spreadable consistency
   
5. Beat for another 2–3 minutes until fluffy

Assemble the Funfetti Cake

1. Place first cake layer on a serving plate
   
2. Spread frosting evenly across the top
   
3. Add second cake layer
   
4. Frost top and sides of cake
   
5. Decorate with extra sprinkles for a festive finish

Tips for Perfect Funfetti Cake

• Use jimmies sprinkles; they hold color better during baking
  
• Room temperature ingredients blend smoothly
  
• Measure flour properly (spoon and level method)
  
• Don’t overmix batter once flour is added
  
• Chill cake layers slightly before frosting for easier handling

Fun Variations

Chocolate Funfetti Cake : Replace ½ cup flour with cocoa powder for chocolate flavor.

Strawberry Funfetti Cake : Add strawberry extract or strawberry frosting for fruity sweetness.

Funfetti Cupcakes : Divide batter into cupcake liners and bake for 18–22 minutes.

Citrus Funfetti Cake : Add lemon or orange zest for a bright flavor twist.

Serving Suggestions

Funfetti cake pairs beautifully with:

• Milk or flavored milk drinks
  
• Coffee or espresso
  
• Fruit smoothies
  
• Vanilla ice cream

Funfetti cake is more than just a dessert, it’s nostalgia, celebration, and happiness baked into every slice. Its colorful sprinkles bring visual joy, while its soft vanilla crumb and creamy frosting deliver comfort and indulgence.

Compared to heavier cakes, funfetti cake feels playful, lighthearted, and universally loved by both kids and adults. It’s also highly customizable, making it perfect for themed celebrations or creative baking projects. Once you master funfetti cake, you’ll always have a reliable, crowd-pleasing dessert ready for any celebration. It’s the kind of cake that turns ordinary moments into memories, bright, cheerful, and impossible to resist.