Description
A tender, moist, and vibrant pink homemade funfetti birthday cake topped with a light, airy whipped vanilla buttercream. This beginner-friendly recipe uses simple pantry ingredients for a sophisticated, nostalgic dessert that stays fresh for days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup non-staining funfetti sprinkles
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream (for frosting)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (for frosting)
- Pink gel food coloring (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans, line bottoms with parchment paper, and dust with flour.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a stand mixer bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Reduce mixer speed to low. Add dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with buttermilk in two additions, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
- Gently fold in the funfetti sprinkles with a rubber spatula.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
- While cakes cool, make the buttercream: Beat softened butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time on low speed. Increase speed to high and beat for 3 minutes until fluffy.
- Add vanilla, salt, and heavy cream to the buttercream. Beat on high for 2 minutes until light and airy.
- Divide buttercream and add pink gel food coloring to desired portion. Level cake layers if necessary.
- Place first cake layer on serving plate, spread with buttercream, add second layer, and frost top and sides. Decorate with extra sprinkles.
- Chill cake for 30 minutes before serving to set the buttercream.
Notes
Ensure all ingredients, especially butter and eggs, are at room temperature for proper emulsification. Do not overmix the batter once flour is added to prevent a dense texture. Use gel food coloring for vibrant color without thinning the buttercream. For best results, chill the frosted cake for 30 minutes before slicing.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 45
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: funfetti cake, birthday cake, homemade cake, vanilla buttercream, easy cake recipe, moist cake, pink cake, party dessert