Delight your sweet tooth with this delicious homemade Funfetti Cake recipe! This fluffy and soft cake is super easy to make and fun to eat. With layers of rainbow sprinkles and creamy frosting, this cake will surely brighten your day. This homemade cake is all you need for the perfect birthday party for kids!

Funfetti cake.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • This Funfetti cake recipe is easy to make at home from scratch!
  • It is affordable to make with only simple ingredients that you can already find in your kitchen.
  • Easily customize or create your own version of this classic birthday cake.
  • It brings back childhood memories! This nostalgic Funfetti cake will surely take adults down memory lane. Be sure to make a batch of these frosted sugar cookies too!
  • This homemade cake is the perfect cake for birthday parties of all ages.
  • It is simple yet delicious. With layers of frosting and sprinkles, it will pack a punch of sweetness with every bite. 
  • Baking this Funfetti Cake is a fun weekend activity to do with kids.
  • It is an iconic cake that everyone loves.
  • The flavor is a strong vanilla buttercream.
  • The texture is light, soft, and moist!
  • Homemade vanilla buttercream frosting is so smooth and creamy!
  • Check out this chocolate chip cookie cake or these funfetti cupcakes or easy funfetti cookies for another fun birthday idea.

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for Funfetti cake. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and instructions.

All-purpose flour adds substance to the cake batter. You may also use gluten-free all-purpose flour with a 1 to 1 ratio.

Baking powder is a great ingredient for a light and airy texture in the cake. 

A little bit of salt will bring out the flavors of this cake.

Butter generally provides a creamy and neutral flavor that helps bring the recipe together.

Other than being a sweetener for your homemade Funfetti cake, granulated sugar also helps lock in moisture. This keeps the cake delicious and flavorful.

Eggs provide richness and flavor that help enhance the cake. It also gives your batter a slightly yellow color and helps the baked goods rise. Do not substitute for eggs in this recipe.

Vanilla extract brings out the flavors of sugar, milk, and so on. This cake has a strong vanilla flavor.

Whole milk contains fat which helps the baked goods get a richer taste and a softer crumb. You may also use almond milk or oat milk as a plant-based alternative.

What is a homemade Funfetti cake without sprinkles? Use rainbow sprinkles for more fun, but you can also use whatever color you like!

For this recipe, powdered sugar builds the base of the vanilla buttercream. It easily dissolves and forms a smooth consistency, hence it is used as a main ingredient for frostings.

Ingredients for Funfetti cake.

What is Funfetti Cake?

Funfetti cake is typically a vanilla buttercream flavor with hints of waxy sweetness from the sprinkles in the batter.

It is partnered with vanilla buttercream frosting or cream cheese frosting.

Decorate it with frosting, sprinkles, and whatever you like!

With its light and sweet flavor, it is a popular classic birthday cake that everyone loves.

The sprinkles add a fun and whimsical element to the cake!

Taste & Texture

Funfetti cakes are buttery, creamy, and rich in vanilla flavor. This cake has a strong vanilla flavor with loads of sprinkles mixed in. The frosting is sweet with a vanilla flavor.

The cake itself is soft, fluffy, and moist. The sprinkles add a slight crunch to both the cake and the frosting. In addition, the frosting is smooth and creamy.

How to Make

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).  Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 4

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk.  Begin and end with the dry ingredients.  Mix until just combined.

Dry and wet ingredients for cake.
Creamed eggs and sugar.
Yellow cake batter.

Step 6

Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles.

Batter with sprinkles.

Step 7

Divide the batter equally between the two prepared cake pans.  Smooth into an even layer with a spatula.

Cake batter with pan.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 9

Then, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes.  Transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 10

While the cakes are cooling, make the frosting.  In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.  Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.  Beat until light and fluffy.

Step 11

Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one cake layer on a serving plate.  Spread a generous amount of frosting on top.  Next, place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.

Step 12

Lastly, decorate the cake with additional rainbow sprinkles on top.

Frosting with sprinkles.

Tips & Tricks for Success

Make this Funfetti cake recipe exactly as written.

Line your pan with parchment paper and if you have cooking spray on hand, a quick spritz of that will help the cake release from the pan easier.

Keep ingredients at room temperature. This helps the cake keep its moisture down the line.

Do not overmix the cake batter.

Do not bake too long. Once a toothpick inserted comes out clean, the cake is done.

Make sure the frosting is thick enough to hold up the cake. It should not be runny.

Only frost the cake layers once they are completely cooled.

Flavor Variations & Add-Ins

To make an attractive homemade Funfetti cake, add fruits like raspberries or strawberries to the frosting.

Or, go the traditional route and opt for vanilla buttercream frosting.

You can also spice it up with marshmallow frosting or even lemon buttercream.

For a chocolaty flavor, use some chocolate sprinkles!

Close up of confetti cake.

How to Serve & Store

This Funfetti cake is usually served at birthday parties, but you can definitely make it for a festive dessert at home. It is also perfect for gifting.

You can serve this cake by cutting the cake into even slices.

Place the slices on a plate and add whipped cream, ice cream, or more sprinkles for a festive touch!

Serve with a glass of cold milk or coffee.

To store Funfetti cake, use a cake box or any airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days.

You can also keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When serving from the freezer, thaw the cake first. You may put additional decorations or toppings after it has thawed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a confetti cake and a Funfetti cake?

They are the same! Confetti cake is the general name given to this recipe, while Funfetti on the other hand is trademarked by Pillsbury. Recipe-wise, they are the same.

What frosting goes with Funfetti cake?

The tried and tested frosting is no doubt the vanilla buttercream, though there are alternatives if you choose so. These can range from cream cheese, marshmallow, whipped cream, and lemon buttercream frosting.

Can you freeze this cake?

Just like with any other cake, whether frosted or not, cut or uncut, freezing it will help keep it for longer. For your homemade Funfetti cake, you may use plastic wrap to protect the cake or skip it completely and go straight into a cake box. Thaw overnight in the fridge before eating.

Can you use store-bought frosting?

Sure! Homemade frosting is fun and delicious, but store-bought is convenient.

Slice of yellow cake with sprinkles.

Equipment Needed

Hand Mixer: Use a hand mixer to cream together the ingredients. This is smaller and easier than a stand mixer.

KitchenAid Stand Mixer: This stand mixer is a kitchen staple!

Pre-Cut Parchment Paper Sheets: Either grease and flour the cake pans or line with parchment paper.

Pyrex 3 Glass Mixing Bowls: These mixing bowls are great for baking cakes.

Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups: Use these glass cups for measuring out the ingredients.

You May Also Enjoy

If you enjoy this Funfetti cake recipe, please leave a rating and review! You can find more great recipes on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Check out these Cupcakes & Cakes for more recipes!

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Funfetti cake.

Funfetti Cake

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Addison LaBonte
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 25
  • Total Time: 40
  • Yield: 12 slices 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

This homemade Funfetti Cake is fun, whimsical, and so tasty!  The cake is soft, moist, and fluffy.  The frosting is velvety smooth and so creamy.  This cake is great for birthdays, celebrations, holidays, and more!

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the cake:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles

For the frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).  Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Use an electric mixer or stand mixer for this.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk.  Begin and end with the dry ingredients.  Mix until just combined.  Avoid overmixing.
  6. Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles, distributing them evenly throughout the cake batter.
  7. Divide the batter equally between the two prepared cake pans.  Smooth the tops with a spatula.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Then, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes.  Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. While the cakes are cooling, make the frosting.  In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.  Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.  Beat until light and fluffy.
  11. Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one cake layer on a serving plate.  Spread a generous amount of frosting on top.  Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
  12. Finally, decorate the cake with additional rainbow sprinkles on top.

Notes

  • Be sure to grease and flour the cake pans.  This helps prevent sticking.
  • Do not overmix the cake batter.  Stir until just combined.
  • Do not bake too long.  Insert a toothpick into the baked cakes.  If it comes out clean, the cakes are done baking.
  • Wait until the cake layers are completely cooled before adding frosting.
  • If the frosting is too thin, add slightly more powdered sugar.  If the frosting is too thick, add slightly more whole milk.
  • Since the frosting contains milk, this cake needs to be stored in the fridge.

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