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Homemade Funfetti Cake

Homemade Funfetti Cake

from cambreabakes.com
175 min
15 servings
728 kcal per serving

This homemade funfetti layer cake is super moist, soft, tender, and melts in your mouth. With three classic vanilla cake layers, rainbow jimmies sprinkles, and a sweet vanilla buttercream, it’s better than bakery-made (or boxed versions) and perfect for any festive celebration!

Ingredients

  • cake flour

    *see notes below*

    2 ⅓ c
  • granulated sugar
    1 ½ c
  • baking powder
    1 tbsp
  • vanilla powder
    1 tbsp
  • fine sea salt
    1 tsp
  • cubed unsalted butter

    room temperature

    12 tbsp
  • eggs

    room temperature

    3 large
  • whole milk

    room temperature

    ½ c
  • heavy cream

    room temperature

    ½ c
  • sour cream

    room temperature

    ½ c
  • vegetable oil
    ¼ c
  • imitation vanilla

    for a classic box cake flavor, sub real vanilla if desired

    1 tbsp
  • rainbow jimmies sprinkles
    ⅓ c
  • salted butter

    room temperature

    1 c
  • unsalted butter

    room temperature

    1 ½ c
  • powdered sugar
    4 c
  • heavy cream
    3 tbsp
  • pure vanilla bean paste or extract
    2 tsp

Directions

For the cake batter

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 325°F/160°C. Grease and flour the sides of three 8-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Set aside.

  2. 2

    In a stand mixer bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, vanilla powder, and salt.

  3. 3

    On low speed, mix in the butter until it has a sandy texture, about 2-3 minutes.

  4. 4

    In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sour cream, oil, and vanilla.

  5. 5

    Mix in half of the wet ingredients until all of the flour has been moistened. Then scrape down the bowl. Mix in the remaining wet ingredients and rainbow sprinkles on low speed until just combined, scraping down the bowl once to ensure everything is well combined.

  6. 6

    Evenly distribute the cake batter into the prepared cake pans (475 grams in each). Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out covered in a few moist crumbs. Let the pans cool on a wire rack for 20-30 minutes, then remove them from the pans and allow them to finish cooling on the racks.

For the frosting

  1. 1

    In a stand mixer bowl or with a hand mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.

  2. 2

    Then add the powdered sugar. Pulse at first to combine, so the sugar doesn’t fly out of the bowl. Once combined, increase the speed to medium and beat for 4-5 minutes, until light, white, and fluffy.

  3. 3

    Add the heavy cream and vanilla and mix until just combined.

For assembly

  1. 1

    Place your first cake layer on your serving platter or cake stand. These cake layers should bake very flat so you shouldn't need to trim them at all!

  2. 2

    Spread an even amount of frosting across the top, the place the second layer on top. Repeat this process one more time, placing the last cake layer upside down so that the top is flat.

  3. 3

    Spread a thin layer of the frosting over the entire cake, then refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.

  4. 4

    Spread the remaining frosting over the entire cake, using any extra to decorate if desired. Garnish with more rainbow sprinkles. Enjoy!

About this Recipe

The Ultimate Homemade Funfetti Cake for Any Celebration

Forget the box mix! Get ready to bake the best funfetti cake from scratch that will make every occasion feel extra special. This homemade funfetti cake is a true showstopper, boasting three perfectly baked layers of super moist funfetti cake infused with vibrant rainbow jimmies sprinkles, all generously slathered with a dreamy, sweet vanilla buttercream. It’s the ultimate birthday sprinkle cake and a dessert that truly melts in your mouth.

What makes this confetti birthday cake stand out? It’s all about the texture and flavor. We’ve crafted a vanilla cake that is incredibly soft and tender, light years beyond any boxed version. Each bite offers a delightful burst of vanilla alongside the playful crunch of sprinkles, creating a joyous experience perfect for any festive gathering. Whether it's a birthday, an anniversary, or just a Tuesday that needs a little cheer, this 3 layer funfetti cake is guaranteed to impress.

Tips for Baking Your Perfect Funfetti Cake

To achieve that wonderfully moist funfetti cake texture, attention to detail is key:

  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter, eggs, milk, heavy cream, and sour cream are all at room temperature. This helps them emulsify properly, creating a smooth batter and a tender crumb.
  • Don't Overmix: Mix the batter until just combined after adding the dry ingredients. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
  • Quality Sprinkles: Opt for good quality rainbow jimmies (rod-shaped sprinkles) as they hold their color and shape better during baking compared to nonpareils, giving you that iconic confetti sprinkle cake look.

Delicious Variations & Serving Suggestions

While this vanilla funfetti cake is perfect as is, you can always get creative!

  • Flavor Boost: Enhance the vanilla buttercream with a touch of almond extract for a subtle nutty note, or a hint of lemon zest for brightness.
  • Color Play: Use specific color sprinkles to match a party theme, or add a drop of food coloring to a portion of the buttercream for a vibrant swirl.
  • Serving: This homemade birthday cake shines brightest as the centerpiece of a celebration! Serve slices with extra sprinkles on top, or alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra indulgent treat. It's truly a dessert that brings smiles.

Frequently Asked Questions