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Quick Funfetti Birthday Layer Cake with Easy Vanilla Buttercream

funfetti birthday layer cake - featured image
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A tender, moist funfetti layer cake with silky vanilla buttercream that comes together in under an hour. Perfect for birthdays, weeknight celebrations, or any time you need a little sprinkle of joy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (90g) rainbow sprinkles (jimmies)
  • 1 ½ cups (339g) unsalted butter, softened (for buttercream)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
  • 3–4 tablespoons (45-60ml) heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for buttercream)
  • ¼ cup (45g) rainbow sprinkles (for decoration)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper circles.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down sides halfway through.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
  5. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined; finish by hand with a spatula if needed.
  6. Gently fold in ½ cup rainbow sprinkles with a rubber spatula until just combined.
  7. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Smooth tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Peel off parchment and cool completely (at least 1 hour).
  9. For buttercream: Beat 1 ½ cups softened butter on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low. Add 3 tablespoons heavy cream and 2 teaspoons vanilla; beat on medium-high for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency with additional cream or powdered sugar as needed.
  10. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread about ¾ cup buttercream evenly on top. Place second layer on top. Apply a thin crumb coat, refrigerate 15 minutes, then apply final layer of frosting. Top with extra sprinkles.

Notes

Use jimmies (long skinny sprinkles) not nonpareils to prevent color bleeding. Room temperature ingredients are crucial for best texture. A crumb coat helps achieve smooth frosting. Cake keeps at room temperature for up to 3 days or can be frozen unfrosted for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: funfetti cake, birthday cake, layer cake, vanilla buttercream, sprinkle cake, easy cake recipe, quick cake

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/quick-funfetti-birthday-layer-cake-with-easy-vanilla-buttercream/