A Funfetti Spring Celebration Cake is a joyful and colorful dessert perfect for welcoming the spring season. With its fluffy vanilla cake base filled with vibrant rainbow sprinkles and topped with creamy buttercream frosting, this cake is as delightful to look at as it is to eat. It’s ideal for birthdays, Easter, baby showers, or any springtime gathering that calls for something festive and sweet.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A bright and festive treat that brings a pop of color to any celebration
- Light, fluffy, and moist texture that’s always a crowd-pleaser
- Classic vanilla flavor enhanced by colorful sprinkles
- Simple to customize for other seasons or occasions
- Perfect centerpiece for spring events, brunches, or parties
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Egg whites
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract (optional)
- Buttermilk
- Rainbow sprinkles (jimmies preferred)
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Heavy cream
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans, and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in the vanilla and almond extracts.
- Add the dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately, starting and ending with the dry mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles, being careful not to overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add confectioners’ sugar. Add heavy cream and vanilla, and beat until fluffy.
- Once cakes are cooled, place one layer on a serving plate, spread frosting on top, add the second layer, and frost the entire cake.
- Decorate with more sprinkles and chill slightly before serving if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Approximately 12 servings
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Bake Time: 25–30 minutes
- Cooling & Decorating Time: 30–45 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour and 30 minutes
Variations
- Add citrus zest (like lemon or orange) to the batter for a fresh spring twist
- Swap vanilla frosting for cream cheese frosting for a tangier flavor
- Use pastel-colored sprinkles for a more subtle seasonal look
- Make it gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
- Turn it into cupcakes for individual servings
Storage/Reheating
- Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
- To freeze, wrap slices in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds if desired.
FAQs
What kind of sprinkles work best in Funfetti cake?
Use jimmies (long, rod-shaped sprinkles). Nonpareils tend to bleed color into the batter.
Can I use whole eggs instead of egg whites?
Yes, but the texture and color may be slightly different. Egg whites help keep the cake light and white.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes. Bake the layers a day in advance, wrap tightly, and frost the next day.
Can I use store-bought frosting?
Absolutely. While homemade frosting adds flavor, store-bought works in a pinch.
Is buttermilk necessary?
Buttermilk adds moisture and helps with texture. You can substitute it with milk plus a little vinegar or lemon juice.
How do I prevent the sprinkles from sinking?
Gently fold them in at the end and avoid overmixing. Also, use light, dry sprinkles.
Can I turn this into a sheet cake?
Yes, bake the batter in a 9×13-inch pan for about 30–35 minutes.
How do I know the cake is done?
Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few crumbs.
Can I make this cake dairy-free?
Use plant-based butter, dairy-free milk, and a suitable frosting alternative.
How should I transport this cake?
Chill it slightly before transport, place it in a cake carrier, and keep it level and secure.
Conclusion
The Funfetti Spring Celebration Cake is a charming, cheerful dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re celebrating Easter, a birthday, or simply the joy of spring, this cake delivers both style and substance. Its soft, moist crumb, vibrant appearance, and classic vanilla flavor make it a standout addition to any springtime table.
Print
Funfetti Spring Celebration Cake
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 10–12 slices 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Funfetti Spring Celebration Cake is a bright, joyful dessert that’s perfect for birthdays, Easter, or any spring festivity. Packed with colorful sprinkles and topped with a fluffy vanilla buttercream, this soft and tender cake is bursting with nostalgic flavor and guaranteed to bring smiles to any celebration.
Ingredients
- For the Cake
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2/3 cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies-style)
- For the Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Food coloring (optional, pastel shades work great)
- For Decoration
- Additional rainbow sprinkles
- Edible flowers or pastel candies (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, oil, and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk + sour cream, beginning and ending with dry. Mix just until combined.
- Fold in sprinkles gently.
- Divide batter between pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, and salt. Beat until fluffy.
- Frost cooled cakes and decorate with sprinkles, flowers, or candies as desired.
Notes
- Use “jimmies” not nonpareils to prevent color bleeding
- Store frosted cake in the fridge; bring to room temp before serving
- Can be made into cupcakes—bake 18–22 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
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