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The Ultimate Homemade Funfetti Birthday Cake

Moist and fluffy vanilla cake layers bursting with rainbow sprinkles, frosted with creamy vanilla buttercream – the perfect from-scratch birthday celebration cake.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Birthday
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Layers
  • 3.75 cups cake flour spooned and leveled
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1.25 cups unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 0.33 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 3 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1.5 cups buttermilk room temperature
  • 0.75 cup rainbow jimmies sprinkles
Vanilla Buttercream
  • 1.5 cups unsalted butter softened
  • 6 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 0.33 cup heavy cream or milk
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt

Equipment

  • Three 8-inch round cake pans
  • Mixing bowls
  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Wire rack
  • Offset spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare three 8-inch cake pans with grease, parchment, and flour.
  2. Whisk cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
  3. Beat butter until creamy, add sugar and beat fluffy. Add oil, then eggs/egg whites one at a time, then vanilla.
  4. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk on low speed until just combined.
  5. Fold in rainbow sprinkles gently.
  6. Divide batter into pans and bake 24-28 minutes until toothpick clean. Cool completely.
  7. Beat butter for frosting, add powdered sugar gradually, then cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat fluffy.
  8. Assemble layers with frosting between, frost exterior, and decorate with sprinkles.

Notes

Use room-temperature ingredients for best results. Jimmies sprinkles prevent bleeding. Cake stays moist for days when stored properly.