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Funfetti Cake

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This Funfetti cake features moist white cake topped with whipped vanilla buttercream. One bite of this, and you'll never use boxed mix again!

a fork cutting into a slice of 3 layer funfetti cake topped with vanilla buttercream.

I love Funfetti inspired treats like pancakes and this dessert dip. This Funfetti Cake is also a must-try. It features a tender white cake, plenty of sprinkles, and the best buttercream ever! It looks impressive and is perfect for birthdays or parties. Once you make this recipe from scratch you'll never want to use boxed mix again. You can also make it into cupcakes like this.

Why This Cake Is a Must Try

  • Perfect Texture: Milk and egg whites lead to a light and fluffy cake that melts in your mouth.
  • 3 Layers: The three layers of cake and frosting give you the perfect ratio in every bite.
  • Common Ingredients and Supplies: This cake uses pantry ingredients and no fancy equipment. I mix my batter and frosting up with a wooden spoon.

Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips

  • Butter: There is nothing like a cake made with real butter. I use unsalted sweet cream butter so that I can control the amount of salt in the recipe. Different brands have different amounts which can lead to variations in the final taste of your baked goods.
  • Egg Whites: Using egg whites leads to a light fluffy cake and a stark white color. Save the yolks for scrambled eggs, or homemade ice cream.
  • Vanilla: Use clear vanilla extract if you want to make the cake as white as possible.
  • Milk: Use whole milk for the best results.
  • Flour: be sure to measure your flour correctly by spooning it into your measure cup. Scooping can lead to using too much which will lead to a dry crumbly cake.
  • Baking Powder: Make sure your baking powder is less than a year old, as it can lose its potency.
  • Sprinkles: Rainbow sprinkles dissolve slightly creating little pockets of color. I used Wilton Rainbow Jimmies. Avoid nonpareils which can leech too much color.
a fork containing a bite of vanilla cake with sprinkles, with the whole cake in the background.

Pro Tips and Tricks

  1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Not only will this help your batter come together, but your cake will bake evenly as well. (Cold batter will take longer to bake).
  2. Do not over mix the batter. Mix until the flour is just combined into the batter. Over mixing will lead to tough and dense cake.
  3. Egg Whites: I like to separate my egg whites using a  slotted spoon. Break egg onto a slotted spoon. The white will go through the slots, while the yolk sits on top. You could also separate them by pouring them back and forth between the shells, or even by using a water bottle to "suck" the yolk out.
  4. Flat Cakes: Many bloggers prefer using cake strips. I perfect to bake cakes normally and then use a cake leveler to flatten them. (This way I can snack on some while I frost haha!).
  5. Do not overbake. Bake just until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. A few moist crumbs are okay, but we don't want to see any batter. Over baking leads to a dry cake.
  6. Place cake layers in the freezer for around 30 minutes to make frosting a breeze!
  7. Assemble and build your cake using a disposable cake board. If you don't have one you can use a cutting board instead.
A closeup shot of a slice of funfetti cake topped with and surrounded by rainbow sprinkles.

More Cakes I Love

Cookie Dough Cake

Snickers Cake

Reeses Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Death By Chocolate Cake

Walnut Chocolate Cake

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📖 Recipe

Funfetti Cake

Funfetti Cake: Perfectly moist white cake topped with whipped vanilla buttercream.  One bite of this, and you'll never use boxed mix again!
4.96 from 21 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Total Time: 48 minutes
Servings: 14 Slices
Calories: 1009kcal

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Ingredients

For the Funfetti Cake

  • 1 Cup Whole Milk
  • 2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Cup Unsalted Butter Softened
  • 2 Cups White Sugar
  • 3 Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
  • 1 Pinch Salt
  • 5 Egg Whites
  • 2 Cups Rainbow Sprinkles

For the Vanilla Buttercream

  • 3 Cups Unsalted Butter softened
  • 6 Cups Powdered Sugar
  • 2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
  • 5 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
  • 3 Drops Pink Gel Food Coloring
  • 1 ½ Cups Funfetti Sprinkles
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Instructions

For the Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray (3) 9 inch round cake pans with non stick baking spray. Set aside.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the milk and vanilla. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt ,and baking powder. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Gradually alternate pouring milk mixture, and flour mixture into butter mixture until just combined. Do not over mix.
  • Using another large mixing bowl, beat the eggs until stiff peaks form
  • Fold eggs into batter, and then fold in sprinkles.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the three prepared cake pans. Bake for 23-26 or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Cool completely before removing from cake pans.

For the Frosting

  • In a large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Stir in salt and vanilla. Add powdered sugar a little a time. Add heavy cream as needed until you reach your desired consistency. Beat for 5-7 minutes until stiff peaks form.

Decorating

  • Scoop ~1 cup of frosting into a bowl and mix in a few drops of pink gel food coloring. Set aside.
  • Scoop ~1 cup of frosting into a large piping bag fitted with a star tip.
  • Next, use ~1 cup of frosting to frost the top of your first cake layer using an angled spatula.
  • Place the second layer of cake onto the first layer of frosting, and repeat. Top with final cake layer.
  • Frost the top of that layer, and down the sides. Press sprinkles into the bottom of the cake.
  • Place the pink frosting into the microwave for 5-8 seconds or until slightly soft
  • Spoon pink frosting into the disposable piping bag. Pipe drips of the pink frosting along the top of the cake.
  • Pipe dollops of frosting around the top using the reserved white frosting. Top with sprinkles.
  • Place into the fridge overnight before cutting into slices, and enjoy with a large glass of cold milk, or hot coffee.

Notes

Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
  • Butter: There is nothing like a cake made with real butter. I use unsalted sweet cream butter so that I can control the amount of salt in the recipe. 
  • Vanilla: Use clear vanilla extract if you want to make the cake as white as possible. 
  • Milk: Use whole milk for the best results.
  • Flour: be sure to measure your flour correctly by spooning it into your measure cup. Scooping can lead to using too much which will lead to a dry crumbly cake. 
  • Sprinkles: Rainbow sprinkles dissolve slightly creating little pockets of color. I used Wilton Rainbow Jimmies. Avoid nonpareils which can leech too much color. 
Tips and Tricks
  1. Egg Whites: I like to separate my egg whites using a  slotted spoon. Break egg onto a slotted spoon. The white will go through the slots, while the yolk sits on top. You could also separate them by pouring them back and forth between the shells, or even by using a water bottle to "suck" the yolk out.
  2. Flat Cakes: Many bloggers prefer using cake strips. I perfect to bake cakes normally and then use a cake leveler to flatten them. 
  3. Do not overbake. Bake just until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. A few moist crumbs are okay, but we don't want to see any batter. Over baking leads to a dry cake.
  4. Place cake layers in the freezer for around 30 minutes to make frosting a breeze!
  5. Assemble and build your cake using a disposable cake board. If you don't have one you can use a cutting board instead.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 1009kcal | Carbohydrates: 123g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 57g | Saturated Fat: 36g | Cholesterol: 149mg | Sodium: 40mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 101g | Vitamin A: 1728IU | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? I want to see!Mention @BakingBeautyBlog or tag #BakingBeauty!
an overhead shot of a funfetti cake with one slice taken out of it, which sits nearby on a white plate.
a slice of funfetti cake topped with vanilla buttercream and sprinkles.
4.96 from 21 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




12 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe was so easy and delicious! We loved it!

  2. 5 stars
    The colorful sprinkles throughout gave it such a cheerful vibe, and the cake was so fluffy and moist. It was a huge hit for my friend's birthday, and everyone loved how festive it looked!

  3. 5 stars
    This was so good! Seriously better than any boxed cake mix, and I love how colorful it ended up being! A party on my fork!

  4. 4 stars
    If I'm using 8 in. cake pans, how long should I bake the cakes for?

    1. Krystle Smith says:

      Hi Margie,

      We've only tried the recipe as written. I'd hate to speculate based on the cost of groceries as I don't want to lead you astray.

  5. 5 stars
    can I use cake flour for this recipe?

    1. Krystle Smith says:

      Hi Dana! I have not tried that so I can't say for sure. Please let us know if you do!

  6. 5 stars
    Amazing and beautiful recipe! Can't wait to make it again!

  7. Diane Benson says:

    5 stars
    So fun and a gorgeous presentation!

  8. 5 stars
    My son’s birthday is the day before the Fourth of July and this cake is perfect for both! My daughter is going to love helping me make this! Everyone is going to love this!

  9. 5 stars
    My daughter requested a "sprinkles cake" for her birthday but I didn't have any mix. Found this recipe and it was SO much better than the box! Will totally make it again.

  10. Sophie Heath says:

    5 stars
    Perfect for my kids birthday! They loved it!