Funfetti Cake - Stephanie's Sweet Treats (2023)

This layered funfetti cake is a moist three layered funfetti cake full of cream cheese frosting. You can't have a birthday without funfetti cake! The cake layers are super moist, fluffy, and has a ton of rainbow sprinkles. Cream cheese frosting is slathered on top and decorated with extra sprinkles.

I don't know about you, but I love a homemade funfetti cake on a birthday. This funfetti cake is a buttery, fluffy cake full of clear vanilla extract and rainbow sprinkles. The clear vanilla gives it an extra sweet flavor.

It is similar to a vanilla cake with sprinkles, but it has more butter and a sweeter taste.

Most funfetti cakes have a vanilla buttercream, this recipe uses cream cheese frosting instead!

For more sprinkle recipes, try Mini Funfetti Cheesecakes, Chewy Birthday Cake Cookies, and Mini Layered Cake.

Why This Recipe Works

• Funfetti cake layers- This has three funfetti cake layers baked in 8-inch cake pans.
• Cream cheese frosting- The tang form the cream cheese pairs so well with the sweet funfetti cake layers.
• Perfect for a birthday party- If you have a birthday party coming up, you have to bake this cake! The colorful sprinkles scream happy birthday!
• Soft texture- This funfetti cake recipe makes a super soft cake!

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Unsalted butter- For the cake, pull it out 2 hours before baking so it is softened. For the frosting, pull it out 30 minutes before using so it is slightly cold.
• Oil- Use canola oil or vegetable oil.
• Clear vanilla extract- This is an imitation vanilla.
• Sour cream- Use full fat sour cream. Pull this out 2 hours before baking.
• Eggs- Pull the large out 2 hours before baking.
• Buttermilk- Use full fat or reduced fat buttermilk. Pull this out 2 hours before baking.
• Rainbow sprinkles- Use Jimmie sprinkles because they won't bleed too much into the cake Non-peril sprinkles bleed into the cake and shouldn't be used.
• Cream cheese- Use full fat cream cheese. Pull this out 2 hours before using so it is room temperature.
• Powdered sugar- Make sure to sift it to avoid a gritty frosting.

Substitutions

• Oil- You can use olive oil, but the cake won't be as white.
• Sour cream- You also use plain full fat yogurt like greek yogurt.
• Buttermilk- Use 1 cup of milk with 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice and let it sit for 10 minutes before using.
• Cream cheese- Instead of using cream cheese, increase the butter to 2 cups and reduce the powdered sugar to 6 cups.

Step By Step Instructions- Cake Layers

Here is how to make and bake the funfetti cake layers. This recipe uses a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer (electric mixer).

STEP 1: Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

STEP 2: Beat butter, oil, and sugar. Using a mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter, oil, and sugar on high speed for 3 minutes. It will become very light and fluffy. Add the sour cream and clear vanilla extract and mix until combined.

Then, add in the eggs one a time and mix on medium speed until combined.

STEP 3: Alternate the flour mixture and buttermilk. Alternate between these two until combined. Make sure to mix on low speed and use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl.

Then, fold in the sprinkles

STEP 4: Pour batter. Pour the cake batter evenly between the three 8-inch cake pans.

STEP 5: Bake. Bake the cakes for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs.

Let the cakes sit in the hot pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Step By Step Instructions- Cream Cheese Frosting

STEP 1: Beat the cream cheese and butter. Using a mixer in a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese on high speed. Then, add in the powdered sugar slowly on low.

The frosting will be pretty thick. We need all of the powdered sugar because the cream cheese will make the frosting be runny without it.

STEP 2: Add the wet ingredients. Next, add the vanilla, salt, and heavy cream and beat on high until fluffy.

Assembling The Cake Tips

• Pipe a small amount of frosting on the board you are decorating on. This will keep the cake locked in place.
• Place the first confetti cake layer down and spread 1 ½ cups of frosting on the cake by using an offset spatula. Repeat with the second cake layer.
• Place the last cake layer with the bottom of the cake facing up. This gives the cake the flattest edge possible.
• Frost the entire cake in a very light layer of frosting. Then, freeze for 15 minutes. This crumb coat will lock the cake crumbs in place.
• Frost the rest of the outside of the cake.

Decorating The Cake

I decorated the sprinkle cake in extra sprinkles. I used a combination of sprinkles using the Rainbow Jimmies Sprinkles and the Rainbow Non-Perils.

Place the sprinkles on top of the cake while the frosting is wet.

FAQ

Storing and Freezing

Store this best funfetti cake in a cake carrier or an airtight container. Store in the fridge up to 5 days.

The cake taste better at room temperature, let it come to room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.

Freezing

Freeze the funfetti cake into individual cake slices. Wrap the cake slices in plastic wrap and freeze up to 30 days.

Thaw for 1-2 hours before eating.

Other Layered Cake Recipes To Try

Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you loved this recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram@stephaniesweettreats. To get more ideasfollow me on Pinterest.

📖 Recipe