The Happiest Funfetti Layer Cake Recipe for Sweet Celebrations
Baking a delightful funfetti layer cake brings pure joy to any celebration.
Sweet sprinkles dance through soft vanilla layers, creating a magical dessert.
Colorful confetti bits peek from every slice, promising excitement with each bite.
Childhood memories flood back when you see these vibrant, whimsical layers.
Smooth buttercream frosting provides the perfect canvas for rainbow-hued happiness.
Every fork swipe promises a burst of playful flavor and nostalgia.
Prepare to become the star baker who makes everyone smile with this festive treat.
Funfetti Layer Cake for Festive Occasions
What to Buy for Funfetti Layer Cake
For the Cake Base:For the Sweeteners and Moisture:For the Flavor and Binding:For the Frosting:Easy Steps for Funfetti Layer Cake Success
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station
Get your oven warmed up to 350°F. Grab two 9-inch round cake pans and give them a quick spray with cooking oil, then dust with flour to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, combine:Whisk these together until they’re evenly blended.
Step 3: Cream the Base
In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like clouds of sweetness.
Step 4: Add Moisture and Flavor
Gently incorporate egg whites one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Splash in vanilla extract for that classic cake aroma.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Mix gently until everything comes together smoothly without overmixing.
Step 6: Sprinkle in the Fun
Fold in colorful sprinkles, distributing them evenly throughout the batter. This is what gives the cake its playful funfetti character.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Slide them into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.
Step 8: Cool Down
Let the cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes.
Then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 9: Whip Up the Frosting
Beat butter until it’s creamy and smooth.
Gradually mix in:Blend until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
Step 10: Assemble and Decorate
Stack the cooled cake layers, spreading frosting between each layer.
Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle extra colorful sprinkles on top for a festive finish.
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FAQs
Adding sprinkles directly into the cake batter ensures colorful specks throughout the cake, creating a festive and fun texture that’s evenly distributed.
While you can use whole eggs, egg whites help create a lighter, fluffier cake texture and keep the cake color bright and consistent.
Toss the sprinkles in a little flour before folding into the batter. This helps suspend them evenly throughout the cake during baking.
Use jimmies or rainbow sprinkles, which are rod-shaped and hold their color better during baking compared to other types of sprinkles.
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Funfetti Layer Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Funfetti layer cake celebrates classic birthday joy with playful sprinkle-studded layers of sweet nostalgia. Colorful crumbs and creamy frosting promise a delightful dessert experience that sparks childhood memories and brings smiles.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 1/2 cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsps baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing and dusting with flour. Preheat oven to 350F (175C).
- Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and airy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Incorporate egg whites individually, beating well after each addition to maintain a smooth consistency. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Alternate adding dry ingredient mixture and milk to the butter mixture, blending gently until just combined to prevent overmixing.
- Delicately fold colorful sprinkles into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout without deflating the mixture.
- Carefully divide batter between prepared cake pans, spreading smoothly to ensure uniform layers.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
- Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack for complete cooling.
- Prepare frosting by whipping butter until creamy and smooth, gradually introducing powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream.
- Once cakes are completely cooled, apply frosting between layers and across the entire cake surface.
- Garnish the top and sides with additional sprinkles for a festive, colorful finish.
Notes
- Toss sprinkles in a tablespoon of flour before folding into batter to prevent color bleeding and distribute evenly throughout the cake.
- Ensure butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature for smoother mixing and a more consistent cake texture.
- Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain cake structure and texture.
- Replace butter with dairy-free margarine and use almond or oat milk instead of regular milk for a vegan-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 288
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Jack Monroe
Founder & Recipe Innovator
Expertise
Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food​
Education
Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education
Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.