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Slice of funfetti cake with sprinkles on the sides and on top of the cake.

Ultimate Funfetti Birthday Cake Recipe

Ashley Manila
Exploding with rainbow sprinkles, this funfetti cake recipe is perfect birthday cake! The vanilla cake layers are heavenly moist and fluffy... and feature colorful sprinkles in every-single-bite. We top this colorful cake with classic cream cheese frosting and extra sprinkles.
5 from 26 votes
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Inactive Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Baking, Cake
Servings 1 Layer Cake (9")

Ingredients
 

For the Funfetti Cake Layers:

  • 2 and 2/3 cups cake flour (330 grams)
  • 1 Tablespoon (13 grams) baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon (3 grams) salt
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar (298 grams)
  • 6 large egg whites (201 grams) room temperature, beaten until very frothy
  • 3/4 cup (170 grams) milk
  • 3/4 cup (170 grams) sour cream
  • 1/4 cup oil (canola or vegetable)
  • 1 Tablespoon (15 grams) vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (85 grams) rainbow sprinkles, plus more for decorating the sides of the cake

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 3 cups (706 grams) cream cheese, VERY soft
  • 3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, VERY soft
  • 4 cups (454 grams) confectioners' sugar, sifted
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoons milk, more if needed
  • Nonpareil sprinkles, for decorating, optional (do not use these in the cake!)

Instructions
 

For the Funfetti Cake Layers:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Generously grease the bottom and sides of two
    9-inch round cake pans; line with
    parchment paper rounds and set aside until needed. 
  • In a large mixing bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. 
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.
  • Gradually add in the sugar. Once all of the sugar has been added, beat on high speed for 2 minutes. 
  • Reduce the speed to low and add in the egg whites, a little bit at a time, beating well after each addition, and scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl frequently.
  • In a spouted measuring cup, combine the milk, sour cream, oil, and vanilla. Mix until evenly combined.
  • On low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating it with the liquid milk/sour creamy mixture, beginning and ending with the flour, and mixing until just combined. Fold in the sprinkles. 
  • Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and smooth the tops. (It should be about 765 grams of batter per pan).
  • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until lightly brown around the edges and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean.
  • Cool the cakes in the pans places on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Then invert the cake layers onto cooling racks and cool completely.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • In the bowl of a stand-mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until completely smooth; about 2 minutes.
  • Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the sifted confectioners' sugar. Add in the salt and milk and beat until combined.
  • Once all of the ingredients have been incorporated, increase the speed to high and beat for 1 to 2 minutes, or until super fluffy. 
  • Place 1/2 cup of the frosting in a piping bag that's fitted with a star tip. Set the rest aside to be used on the cake. 

Assembly:

  • Using a long,
    serrated knife, slice each cake in half horizontally, so that you have 4 even layers. 
  • Place one cake layer on a large plate or cake stand. Spread 2/3 cup of the frosting on top of the cake, covering it completely.
  • Top with another cake layer, and repeat the layering process, ending with the last cake layer on top. Spread all remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. Use the frosting in the piping bag to pipe stars on top of the cake and/or decorative swirls around the edges, as seen in my photos. 
  • Using your hands, gently press some sprinkles around the sides of the cake. 
  • Allow the cake to set for 20 minutes before slicing. Then slice and serve. 

Video

Keyword cake, cake recipes, funfetti, birthday cake
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