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Homemade Funfetti Birthday Cake with Easy Vanilla Buttercream

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This moist, tender funfetti layer cake is studded with rainbow sprinkles and topped with a silky vanilla buttercream. It’s the perfect celebration cake that comes together with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (80g) rainbow jimmies sprinkles
  • 1 ½ cups (339g) unsalted butter, softened (for buttercream)
  • 5 cups (600g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3–4 tablespoons (45-60ml) heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (for buttercream)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (for buttercream)
  • ¼ cup rainbow jimmies sprinkles (for decoration, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch round cake pans, line bottoms with parchment paper, grease parchment, and dust with flour.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat 1 cup butter and sugar on medium-high for 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Add 2 teaspoons vanilla and beat until combined.
  5. With mixer on low, add flour mixture in thirds, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
  6. Remove bowl from mixer. Gently fold in ½ cup sprinkles with a rubber spatula until just distributed (8-10 strokes).
  7. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans (about 450g each). Bake for 22-26 minutes, rotating halfway, until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.
  8. For buttercream: Beat 1 ½ cups butter on medium-high for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on low. Add 3 tablespoons heavy cream, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Beat on medium-high for 2-3 minutes until fluffy. Adjust consistency with extra cream or sugar if needed.
  9. Level cooled cake tops with a serrated knife. Place one layer on plate, spread about ¾ cup buttercream. Repeat with remaining layers. Apply thin crumb coat, chill 20 minutes, then apply final frosting layer. Press extra sprinkles into sides if desired.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Fold sprinkles gently to prevent color bleeding. Chill cake between crumb coat and final frosting for a clean finish. Cake can be made ahead and frozen.

Nutrition

Keywords: funfetti cake, birthday cake, vanilla buttercream, sprinkle cake, layer cake, celebration cake

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/homemade-funfetti-birthday-cake-with-easy-vanilla-buttercream/