Funfetti Layer Cake with Buttercream Frosting

If you’re looking for a showstopper of a cake, this Funfetti Layer Cake is it! Three layers of white cake are flecked with a baked-in rainbow of sprinkles that are iced with a rich vanilla buttercream frosting. More sprinkles decorate the outside of the Funfetti Cake for a colorful dessert that’s perfect for any celebration!

Made from scratch, this layer cake is totally deserving of its Funfetti name. It’s a scrumptious and soft-textured cake, thanks to the egg whites that give the cake crumb its lightness. And it’s so fun to cut into this masterpiece and see the bright little flecks of colors throughout the cake. Complete this party cake with the luscious and buttery frosting that begs to be decorated with even more sprinkles. Kids and adults alike adore will adore this Funfetti Layer Cake!

What is Funfetti Cake?

Cake batter that has various colors of sprinkles added to it will produce a shower of rainbow dots within the cake that mimics a confetti-like appearance. Usually, the cake batter is white so the funfetti dots are very noticeable.

A Funfetti cake also has sprinkles as decorations on top of the frosting. Funfetti cake decor is limited only by your imagination. You can use whatever color frosting you like and still incorporate the colorful sprinkles on top of the cake in various designs as well as on the sides of the cake.

What ingredients do I need to make the Funfetti Layer Cake?

For the cake batter you will need:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Butter
• Granulated sugar
• Egg whites
• Colorful jimmy sprinkles

For the cake frosting you will need:

• Butter
• Vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar
• Heavy whipping cream

What kind of sprinkles should I use?

Because there are so many fun shapes and colors available, it can be confusing to know which type of sprinkles to use for this Funfetti Layer Cake. You want to make sure that you use sprinkles that won’t bleed and streak in your batter or on your icing. That is not a good or appetizing look! The sprinkles that work best in the batter are jimmies, which are rod-like sprinkles, or quins, which are confetti-like sprinkles. You want to stay away from nonpareils – these will bleed and ruin your cake!

How do I make this Funfetti Layer Cake?

1. Start by preparing 3 6” cake pans by rubbing with vegetable shortening and dusting with flour and set aside.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl and the milk and vanilla in a separate small bowl and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and slowly add in the sugar and mix until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
4. Add the egg whites one at a time and fully combine for each addition.
5. Alternate adding flour and milk mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. After all ingredients are combined, mix on high speed for an additional 2 minutes.
6. Add the sprinkles and fold in until evenly distributed.
7. Distribute the batter evenly between the three pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Allow cooling in the pans for about 10 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

How do I make the frosting?

1. Prepare the frosting by adding the butter into the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment and cream for 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract and mix until combined.
2. With the mixer on a low speed, add the powdered sugar one cup at a time and completely combine before each addition
3. Once the powdered sugar is incorporated, add the heavy whipping cream and mix on a high speed for 3-4 minutes or until the frosting gets a “whipped” texture.

How do I assemble the Funfetti Layer Cake?

1. Take one leveled layer of cooled cake and place face down on a serving dish or cake stand and top with about ¾ cup frosting and smooth evenly. Continue with each layer of cake.
2. Add the remaining frosting and smooth along the outside of the cake.
3. Decorate with colorful sprinkles, stand back, admire your work, and then serve!

How do I store the Funfetti Layer Cake?

Because of the butter and cream content in the frosting, it’s best to store the cake in the refrigerator. Wrap it lightly with plastic wrap or put it in a cake saver or carrier. It will keep for up to 3 days in your fridge.

Can I freeze the funfetti cake?

Yes, the baked cake layers can be individually wrapped in plastic and stored in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to assemble the cake, defrost the layers in the fridge before frosting.

The fully assembled and frosted cake may also be frozen. Before fully wrapping it, set it in the freezer for a few hours to set fully. Remove and wrap it securely with plastic wrap. The cake will keep for up to 1 month in the freezer. Defrost overnight in the fridge before serving.

There’s no one that can resist this colorful and party-ready Funfetti Layer Cake! From birthdays to anniversaries and from baby showers to graduation events, this confetti cake with sprinkles is always a crowd-pleasing dessert and a visual delight. You can’t go wrong with this popular party cake!

More Layer Cake Recipes:

Zucchini Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Italian Cream Cake

Chocolate Stout Cake With Whiskey Buttercream Frosting

Peanut Butter Cake With Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Nettie is a wife and mother who is passionate about cooking and baking. With 5 children, Nettie insists that all meals, snacks, and desserts come together quickly! You will find a wide variety of easy yet scrumptious recipes on her very popular website Moore or Less Cooking

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #mooreorlesscooking so I can see all the wonderful recipes that YOU make from this site!