Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Funfetti cake is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, offering a delightful combination of a moist vanilla base and bursts of color from the sprinkles. The addition of sour cream and buttermilk ensures a rich and tender crumb, while the fluffy vanilla buttercream ties everything together in a dreamy way. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or just want to add some fun to your day, this cake brings joy to every bite. The sprinkles are sure to make anyone smile!
Ingredients
Funfetti Cake:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup full fat sour cream, room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 3/4 cup rainbow jimmies sprinkles
Buttercream:
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- 1/2 cup sprinkles for decorating
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix in the oil, then add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Add the sour cream and mix until well combined.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in the rainbow jimmies sprinkles.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before removing.
- For the buttercream: In a large bowl, beat the butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, and beat until fluffy and spreadable.
- Frost the cooled cakes with the buttercream and decorate with additional sprinkles.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cooking Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Variations
- Chocolate Funfetti Cake: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a chocolate-flavored version of this cake.
- Mini Funfetti Cakes: Instead of making a large cake, bake this in cupcake form by dividing the batter into cupcake tins. Bake for about 18-20 minutes.
- Flavor Twist: Add lemon zest or almond extract for a slight flavor variation.
- Vegan Funfetti Cake: Substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative and use flax eggs or a store-bought egg replacer. Swap buttermilk with plant-based milk and add a splash of vinegar for tang.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the Funfetti cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to store it longer, refrigerate for up to a week.
- Reheating: If you want to enjoy the cake warm, microwave individual slices for 10-15 seconds, or place the whole cake in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes.
FAQs
1. Can I make Funfetti cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cake layers ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Frost the cake just before serving.
2. Can I freeze the cake?
Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted cake layers for up to 3 months. Wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
3. Can I use another type of milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with whole milk or a non-dairy milk of your choice. Add a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to help replicate the acidity of buttermilk.
4. How do I make the cake more colorful?
You can add more sprinkles to the batter to make the cake more colorful, or use a variety of sprinkle colors for a fun effect.
5. Can I use a different frosting for this cake?
Absolutely! You can use cream cheese frosting, chocolate buttercream, or whipped cream if you prefer something different than vanilla buttercream.
6. How do I get my cake layers even?
Make sure to level the batter in each pan evenly, using a spatula to smooth the tops. If you want to be precise, you can use a kitchen scale to ensure equal portions of batter in each pan.
7. How long does this cake last?
This Funfetti cake will last for about 3 days at room temperature or up to a week when stored in the refrigerator.
8. Can I decorate with different sprinkles?
Yes, feel free to use different types of sprinkles such as confetti, star-shaped, or even edible glitter to add a personalized touch.
9. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
You can use a gluten-free flour blend to make this cake gluten-free. Be sure to check that your other ingredients are also gluten-free.
10. Can I make a single-layer Funfetti cake?
Yes, if you’d like to make a smaller cake, you can bake it in a 9-inch round pan and cut the cake in half horizontally for a single-layer version.
Conclusion
This Funfetti cake is a perfect choice for anyone looking to add a splash of color and a burst of flavor to their celebrations. With a moist vanilla cake, a buttery frosting, and colorful sprinkles throughout, it’s sure to be the star of any party. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself, this Funfetti cake will bring joy to all who indulge. Enjoy!
This Funfetti Cake is a vibrant and fun dessert, perfect for birthdays or any celebration! Moist, soft, and loaded with colorful sprinkles, it’s paired with a fluffy vanilla buttercream that adds the perfect finishing touch. The combination of real vanilla extract and rainbow jimmies creates an irresistible treat that will make any occasion festive and memorable.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Cake, Dessert, Celebration Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Funfetti Cake:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream, room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 3/4 cup rainbow jimmies sprinkles
Buttercream:
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- 1/2 cup sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add oil and mix well.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Add sour cream and mix until combined.
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles.
- Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- For the buttercream, beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Adjust consistency with more milk if needed.
- Frost the cake layers with buttercream and decorate with sprinkles.
Notes
- For best results, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature.
- The sprinkles may bleed slightly into the batter during baking, which is perfectly fine and adds to the fun effect!
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute with regular milk or make your own buttermilk by adding 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk.
