Funfetti Sprinkle Birthday Cake is a cheerful and colorful treat that brings a party to your plate! This classic vanilla cake is packed with bright, rainbow sprinkles throughout the batter, making every bite a little celebration. The soft, fluffy layers are topped with a smooth, creamy frosting that’s just sweet enough to complement the fun sprinkles.
I love making this cake for birthdays or any day that needs a bit of extra joy. The sprinkles inside the cake not only look great when you slice it but also add a little pop of crunch that kids and adults both enjoy. One of my favorite parts is watching faces light up when they see all the colorful spots hiding inside the cake!
For serving, I like to add a few extra sprinkles on top of the frosting to make it even more festive. It’s great with a glass of cold milk or a cup of tea, and it always brings smiles around the table. This cake is definitely a simple showstopper that adds happiness to any celebration or a cozy weekend treat.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose Flour: This is the base that gives your cake structure. You can swap with gluten-free flour blends if needed, just make sure they’re meant for baking. I find that using sifted flour makes the batter lighter.
Unsalted Butter: Softened butter helps create a fluffy texture when creamed with sugar. If you want a dairy-free option, try vegan butter sticks or coconut oil, but expect slight flavor changes.
Rainbow Sprinkles (Jimmies): These add the fun pops of color inside the cake. Avoid nonpareils as their colors tend to bleed. If sprinkles aren’t handy, mini chocolate chips or small candies work too.
Whole Milk: It keeps the cake moist and tender. You can substitute with any milk you prefer, such as almond, oat, or soy milk for a dairy-free version with good results.
Heavy Cream (for frosting): This gives the frosting a smooth, creamy texture. If you don’t have heavy cream, use milk or even a dairy-free creamer but add slowly to get the right consistency.
How Do You Keep Sprinkles from Bleeding in the Batter?
Mixing sprinkles into cake batter can cause colors to bleed, which makes the cake look less vibrant. The trick is to fold them in gently after the batter is mostly mixed.
- Mix the wet and dry ingredients first, just until combined.
- Add sprinkles last and gently fold using a spatula. Avoid stirring or beating vigorously.
- Use jimmies sprinkles instead of nonpareils—they hold their color better during baking.
- If you’re worried, briefly toss sprinkles in a little flour before adding; it can help prevent sinking and bleeding.
Equipment You’ll Need
- 3 8-inch round cake pans – I recommend metals pans because they heat evenly and give you cakes that bake uniformly.
- Parchment paper circles – lining the pans helps you remove the cakes easily without tearing.
- Mixing bowls – a set of medium and large bowls makes mixing and folding ingredients easier.
- Electric mixer or hand whisk – an electric mixer makes creaming butter and sugar much quicker.
- Rubber spatula – perfect for gently folding in sprinkles without breaking them or bleeding colors.
- Cooling rack – helps the cakes cool completely so your frosting won’t melt when you spread it.
- Offset spatula or butter knife – for smooth frosting finishing touches and decorating.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Chocolate Chips: Fold in mini chocolate chips instead of sprinkles for a chocolate chip cookie vibe.
- Different Extracts: Swap vanilla with almond or coconut extract to change up the flavor.
- Colorful Fillings: Add a layer of fruit jam or colored pudding between layers for surprise inside.
- Decorative Toppings: Top with fresh berries, edible glitter, or themed cake toppers to match your celebration.
Funfetti Sprinkle Birthday Cake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
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
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies, not nonpareils to prevent bleeding of colors)
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (more if needed)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Additional rainbow sprinkles for decoration
How Much Time Will You Need?
You’ll spend about 20 minutes preparing the batter and frosting, 25-30 minutes baking the cake layers, and another 30-40 minutes cooling and assembling. If you want, chill the finished cake for 30 minutes to set the frosting better before serving. In total, plan for roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from start to finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven and Prep Pans:
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans, then line their bottoms with parchment paper circles. This helps the cakes release easily once baked.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
Use a large bowl and beat the softened butter with granulated sugar on medium-high speed. Keep mixing until the mix turns light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step gives your cake a great texture.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully mixed before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract for that classic birthday cake flavor.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture. Start and end with the flour mixture. Mix on low speed only until ingredients just come together — don’t overmix to keep the cake tender.
6. Fold in Sprinkles:
Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix, so the colors don’t bleed into the batter.
7. Bake the Cakes:
Divide the batter evenly among your three prepared pans. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool the Cakes:
Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes. Then, turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
9. Make the Frosting:
Beat the softened butter in a large bowl until creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar on low speed. Then mix in vanilla extract, salt, and heavy cream. Beat on high until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add more cream if it’s too stiff.
10. Assemble the Cake:
Place the first cake layer on your serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Repeat with the second layer. Place the third layer on top and frost the entire cake smoothly on the top and sides.
11. Decorate:
Press extra rainbow sprinkles gently onto the sides and top for a festive, colorful touch.
12. Serve and Enjoy:
Chill the cake for about 30 minutes if you want the frosting to set nicely. Then slice, serve, and celebrate with your bright, fun Funfetti Sprinkle Birthday Cake!
Can I Use Frozen Sprinkles for This Cake?
It’s best to use fresh sprinkles at room temperature. If you only have frozen ones, let them thaw completely and dry off any moisture before folding them into the batter to prevent color bleeding and clumping.
How Should I Store Leftover Funfetti Cake?
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring refrigerated slices to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Can I Make This Cake Dairy-Free?
Yes! Substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil, and replace the whole milk and heavy cream with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk and coconut cream. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I Freeze the Cake or Frosting?
You can freeze unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting. Frosting freezes well in an airtight container for about 2 months; thaw and re-whip before using.