Picture this: bright bursts of color peeking through a supremely soft, buttery vanilla cake, finished with swirls of silky frosting and topped with a riot of rainbow sprinkles. Funfetti Cake isn’t just dessert—it’s a celebration in every bite and a guaranteed mood lifter. Whether you’re making it for a birthday, a get-together, or simply as a sweet way to brighten someone’s day, nothing captures joyful nostalgia quite like a homemade Funfetti Cake.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You don’t need anything fancy—just familiar, high-quality ingredients that work in harmony to create the ultimate party cake. Each element in this Funfetti Cake recipe plays a key role, from tenderizing the crumb to amping up that classic vanilla sweetness and eye-catching color.

All-purpose flour: The base of your cake; provides structure and a tender crumb when measured carefully.
Baking powder: Gives the cake its essential lift, ensuring those layers are perfectly fluffy.
Salt: A pinch enhances all the other flavors—never skip it!
Unsalted butter (softened): Delivers a rich flavor and moist texture—be sure it’s softened to cream smoothly.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps achieve that light, airy texture when whipped with butter.
Egg whites: Keep the cake brilliantly white and extra fluffy—save the yolks for another treat!
Vanilla extract: Infuses the cake with cozy, classic flavor—pure extract is best for full impact.
Whole milk: The extra fat content creates a richer, softer crumb—use at room temperature for best mixing.
Sour cream: Bumps up the cake’s moisture and adds a gentle tang that balances all the sweetness.
Rainbow sprinkles: Opt for jimmies (the rod-shaped variety); they melt into colorful pockets without bleeding.
For the frosting: All you need is unsalted butter, powdered sugar, milk or cream, vanilla, a tiny pinch of salt, and extra sprinkles for decoration—yielding that luscious, swoon-worthy finish.

How to Make Funfetti Cake

Step 1: Prep the Pans and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans. This simple prep step ensures every layer slides out with ease and looks bakery-worthy. If you like, you can also line the pans with parchment circles for extra insurance.

Step 2: Blend the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Give it a good mix—you want the baking powder evenly distributed for the cake to rise perfectly. Set the bowl aside so it’s ready to go when needed.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is pale, light, and fluffy. This aerates the batter beautifully, giving your Funfetti Cake its prized soft texture.

Step 4: Add Egg Whites and Vanilla

Add the egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition. This helps preserve all that lovely volume from creaming. Blend in the vanilla extract for that unmistakable Funfetti Cake aroma.

Step 5: Incorporate Milk and Sour Cream

In a small bowl, stir together the whole milk and sour cream. Alternately add the flour mixture and milk mixture to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined after each addition—overmixing is the enemy of tender cake!

Step 6: Fold in the Sprinkles

With a spatula, gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles. Use a light hand so the colors don’t bleed, resulting in those signature pops throughout your Funfetti Cake layers.

Step 7: Divide and Bake

Evenly divide the batter between the two pans and smooth the tops. Slide them into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell incredible!

Step 8: Cool the Cakes

Once baked, let the cakes rest in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then gently run a knife around the edges and turn the cakes out onto wire racks to cool completely. This waiting game locks in moisture and makes frosting easier.

Step 9: Make the Frosting

In a clean bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, along with milk or cream, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Whip until the frosting is light, fluffy, and irresistibly smooth—the perfect partner for a Funfetti Cake.

Step 10: Frost and Decorate

Carefully frost between the cooled cake layers, around the sides, and on top, swirling generously. Finish with a spectacular shower of more rainbow sprinkles—let your inner child go wild!

How to Serve Funfetti Cake

Garnishes

The crowning glory of a Funfetti Cake? Extra sprinkles, of course! Scatter a handful of rainbow jimmies over the frosted cake for an unmistakably cheerful look. For extra sparkle, consider adding pastel confetti or edible glitter for special occasions.

Side Dishes

Pair slices of Funfetti Cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for the classic birthday vibe, or serve with fresh berries for a delightful contrast. An iced latte, cold brew, or a tall glass of milk makes a perfect partner for this sweet treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Try making the Funfetti Cake as cupcakes for parties or school events, or bake the batter in a Bundt pan for a whimsical twist. Tiny flag toppers, edible flowers, or even sparkler candles add instant festive flair—let your imagination (and sprinkle jar) run wild!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Funfetti Cake as moist and fresh as possible, wrap any leftover slices tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. It will stay soft and delicious at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerated for up to five days.

Freezing

Once the cake layers have cooled completely, you can wrap them individually in plastic and freeze for up to two months. If you’re freezing frosted cake, freeze uncovered until the frosting hardens, then wrap snugly—this prevents smudging and freezer burn.

Reheating

Funfetti Cake is best enjoyed at room temperature, so let chilled or frozen slices sit out for 30–60 minutes before eating. This brings the crumb and frosting back to their best, fresh-baked texture and taste—no need to microwave!

FAQs

Can I use whole eggs instead of just egg whites?

Sticking with egg whites keeps the Funfetti Cake beautifully white and fluffy. If you use whole eggs, the cake will be slightly denser and more golden in color, but still delicious!

What kind of sprinkles work best?

Jimmies-style sprinkles are fantastic for this recipe—they hold their color and won’t bleed into the batter. Avoid nonpareils, which tend to dissolve and streak.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

You can substitute a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Make sure your sprinkles are gluten-free, too, and check baking times as gluten-free cakes sometimes finish a bit sooner.

Is it possible to make Funfetti Cake in advance?

Absolutely! Bake the cake layers a day or two ahead, then wrap and refrigerate. Wait to frost until just before serving for optimal freshness and texture.

How do I keep the cake super moist?

Don’t overbake—pull the cake from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out clean. The sour cream and whole milk in this recipe also help guarantee a soft, moist crumb that stays tender for days!

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason Funfetti Cake has stood the test of time—it’s a joy to make, to serve, and (of course) to eat! Whenever I want to mark a special occasion or simply put smiles on faces, this colorful, delightful cake never disappoints. Go ahead and bake up some magic—your inner kid will thank you!