Ultimate Funfetti Layer Cake Recipe

The Cheerful Funfetti Layer Cake Recipe: A Sweet Celebration

Baking a whimsical funfetti layer cake brings pure joy to any celebration.

Colorful sprinkles dance through soft, tender crumbs creating magical moments.

Sweet memories emerge with each playful slice of this delightful dessert.

Childhood happiness bursts from every vibrant layer, inviting smiles and laughter.

Mixing the batter becomes an adventure of color and happiness.

Sprinkle magic transforms an ordinary cake into something extraordinary.

You will want to grab your mixing bowl and start creating delicious memories right now.

Funfetti Layer Cake Party Favorite

  • Craft a Colorful Celebration: This funfetti layer cake transforms any ordinary moment into a vibrant party with its playful burst of rainbow sprinkles throughout the cake and frosting.
  • Beginner-Friendly Baking Adventure: Perfect for novice bakers, the recipe follows simple steps and requires basic ingredients, making it an approachable and confidence-boosting baking experience.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Sensation: Kids and adults alike will fall in love with the festive look and delicious taste, making it ideal for birthdays, school events, or just because you want to bring some joy to the table.
  • Customizable Festive Treat: Easily adapt the cake by changing sprinkle colors to match themes or holidays, allowing for creative personal touches that make each cake unique and special.

Ingredients for Funfetti Layer Cake

Cake Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A soft white flour that creates the tender structure of the cake.
  • Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake and balances the sweetness.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar: Provide rich flavor and help create a soft, tender cake texture.
  • Large Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cake.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor that complements the sprinkles.
  • Milk: Contributes moisture and helps create a smooth cake batter.
Decorative Elements:
  • Rainbow Sprinkles, Additional Sprinkles: Add colorful fun and festive texture to the Funfetti cake, making it visually appealing and celebratory.

Stepwise Funfetti Layer Cake Guide

Stepwise Funfetti Layer Cake Guide

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven and Prep Cake Pans

Get your oven ready by heating it to the perfect temperature. Grab your cake pans and give them a quick spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Line the bottom of each pan with parchment paper for easy removal later.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Make sure everything is well mixed and set the bowl aside.

Step 3: Create a Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and mix until everything is smooth and combined.

Step 4: Build the Cake Batter

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients.

Gently fold in colorful sprinkles, being careful not to overmix the batter.

Step 5: Bake the Cake Layers

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.

Smooth the tops with a spatula. Slide the pans into the preheated oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool and Decorate

Let the cake layers cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, spread a generous layer of buttercream frosting between the layers and on the outside of the cake.

Sprinkle additional colorful sprinkles all over the frosted cake for a festive touch.

Tricks for Funfetti Layer Cake

  • Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter and even mixing.
  • Fold sprinkles gently to prevent color bleeding and maintain cake's white base.
  • Avoid overmixing batter to keep cake layers light and fluffy.
  • Chill cake layers before frosting to prevent crumbs from mixing into buttercream.
  • Store cake at room temperature in an airtight container for maximum freshness up to 3 days.

Flavor Twists on Funfetti Cake

  • Gluten-Free Funfetti Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive bakers, maintaining the same festive sprinkle-filled texture.
  • Vegan Rainbow Celebration Cake: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use dairy-free milk to create a plant-based version that's equally colorful and delicious.
  • Low-Sugar Sprinkle Cake: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar and sugar-free sprinkles to create a diabetic-friendly option with reduced calories and carbohydrates.
  • Dairy-Free Birthday Cake: Swap milk with almond milk, use dairy-free margarine, and ensure all frosting ingredients are milk-free for those with lactose intolerance.

Serving Funfetti Layer Cake

  • Sprinkle Party Centerpiece: Create a stunning cake display by stacking layers with vibrant sprinkles cascading down the sides, perfect for birthdays or celebrations.
  • Birthday Surprise Cupcakes: Transform leftover cake batter into mini cupcakes, topping them with colorful buttercream and extra sprinkles for individual treats.
  • Dessert Charcuterie Board: Slice the cake into bite-sized pieces and arrange on a board with additional candies, fruits, and decorative sprinkles for a playful dessert spread.
  • Ice Cream Cake Fusion: Cut a slice and serve alongside vanilla ice cream, drizzling with extra sprinkles for a decadent and fun dessert experience.

Storing Funfetti Layer Cake

  • Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days, keeping it fresh and moist.
  • Refrigerate the cake for up to 5 days, covering it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
  • Freeze whole or sliced cake layers wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw frozen cake in the refrigerator overnight, then bring to room temperature before serving.

FAQs

  • What makes the funfetti cake colorful?

Sprinkles mixed directly into the cake batter create a festive, colorful look that pops throughout each slice.

  • Can I use homemade or store-bought sprinkles?

Both work great! Just ensure they’re rainbow-colored jimmies that won’t bleed color into the batter during mixing.

  • How do I prevent my sprinkles from sinking to the bottom of the cake?

Lightly coat sprinkles in a bit of flour before folding into the batter to help them distribute evenly and stay suspended during baking.

  • Is this cake good for birthdays and celebrations?

Absolutely! The vibrant, playful design makes it perfect for kids’ parties, birthdays, and any festive occasion where you want a cheerful dessert.

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Ultimate Funfetti Layer Cake Recipe

Ultimate Funfetti Layer Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Sprinkled with joy, this funfetti layer cake delivers childhood nostalgia through colorful crumbs and silky vanilla buttercream. Rainbow-hued confetti creates delightful texture, promising sweet memories for celebration seekers who crave playful dessert perfection.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups (312 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (400 grams) sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
  • 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter

Leavening and Seasoning:

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Flavor and Decoration:

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (80 grams) rainbow sprinkles
  • 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter, then dust with flour to prevent sticking.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, ensuring no lumps remain, and set aside.
  3. Using an electric mixer, whip softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  4. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then blend in pure vanilla extract until smooth.
  5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with milk, stirring gently to maintain a silky batter consistency.
  6. Gently fold rainbow sprinkles into the batter, distributing evenly without overmixing to preserve cake’s delicate texture.
  7. Evenly distribute batter between prepared cake pans, smoothing tops with a spatula for uniform layers.
  8. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  9. Remove from oven and allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Prepare vanilla buttercream frosting, then generously spread between layers and cover entire cake surface.
  11. Decorate exterior with additional sprinkles, creating a festive and colorful presentation.

Notes

  • Cool cake layers completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
  • Fold sprinkles gently into batter at the last moment to prevent color bleeding and maintain their vibrant appearance.
  • Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and milk for smoother, more even cake texture and better mixing.
  • For gluten-free option, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain cake’s light and fluffy consistency.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg
John Conley

John Conley

Founder & Culinary Storyteller

Expertise

Recipe Development, Culinary Writing, Home Cooking Techniques, Seasonal Ingredient Utilization​

Education

Lane Community College, Eugene, OR
​Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focused on foundational cooking techniques, kitchen safety, and menu planning.

​Gotham Writers Workshop, New York, NY
Course in Food Writing
Explored the art of crafting engaging culinary narratives and recipe development.


John grew up where food meant connection: big bowls, warm kitchens, and meals that told a story. After earning his Certificate in Culinary Arts from Lane Community College and diving deep into food writing at Gotham Writers Workshop, he found his calling: turning everyday recipes into something worth savoring.
At The Liffey, John’s focus is all about crafting dishes that feel easy, honest, and full of heart.

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