Confetti Layer Cake Recipe

Confetti Layer Cake is the ultimate celebration cake, bursting with vibrant rainbow sprinkles throughout the fluffy layers of vanilla cake. It's often referred to as "funfetti" and is perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion that calls for a fun and colorful dessert. Topped with a creamy vanilla buttercream frosting and extra sprinkles for decoration, this cake is sure to bring smiles to anyone who takes a bite. Whether you’re making it for a kid’s party or just want to add a splash of fun to your dessert table, this Confetti Layer Cake recipe is easy to follow and guaranteed to impress. Keep reading to learn how to bake this beautiful cake from scratch!

this Recipe

What is a Confetti Layer Cake?

A Confetti Layer Cake (or "funfetti cake") is a vanilla-flavored cake that has colorful rainbow sprinkles mixed into the batter, creating bursts of color when sliced. The cake is typically made with a light and fluffy texture, and the sprinkles bake into the layers, making it look like confetti scattered throughout. The cake is then layered with frosting, often vanilla buttercream, and topped with even more sprinkles. The end result is a cake that looks as festive as it tastes.

Ingredients List for Confetti Layer Cake

To make this delicious and colorful Confetti Layer Cake, you will need the following ingredients:

Cake Layers

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  (All-purpose flour gives the cake structure.)
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  (Baking powder helps the cake rise and gives it a fluffy texture.)
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
  (Baking soda adds a bit of lift and enhances the texture of the cake.)
• ½ teaspoon salt
  (Salt balances the sweetness of the cake.)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  (Butter adds richness and moisture to the cake. Make sure it's softened for easy mixing.)
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  (Sugar sweetens the cake and helps create a tender crumb.)
• 4 large egg whites, room temperature
  (Egg whites keep the cake light and give it a soft, tender crumb.)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  (Vanilla extract adds flavor and complements the sweetness of the sprinkles.)
• 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
  (Milk keeps the cake moist and adds richness.)
• ¾ cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies)
  (Use "jimmies" style sprinkles, as they hold their color well during baking and don’t bleed into the batter.)

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

• 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
  (Butter provides the base for a creamy, rich frosting.)
• 5 cups powdered sugar
  (Powdered sugar sweetens the frosting and gives it a smooth, fluffy texture.)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  (Vanilla enhances the flavor of the frosting.)
• 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  (Heavy cream makes the frosting smooth and spreadable.)
• Pinch of salt
  (Salt cuts the sweetness and balances the flavors.)
• Extra sprinkles for decorating
  (Top the cake with extra rainbow sprinkles for a fun, festive look.)

Substitutions and Variations

Confetti Layer Cake is incredibly versatile, and you can make a few substitutions or additions to customize it to your tastes or dietary needs:

• Gluten-Free Confetti Cake: Use a gluten-free flour blend that’s designed for cakes and cookies. Make sure it’s a 1-to-1 substitute to get the best results.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative and use a non-dairy milk, such as almond milk or oat milk.
• Add a Flavor Twist: You can add 1 teaspoon of almond extract or lemon extract along with the vanilla for a unique flavor twist.
• Chocolate Confetti Cake: Replace ½ cup of the flour with ½ cup of cocoa powder to make a chocolate version of this cake. You can also fold in chocolate sprinkles for extra indulgence.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Let’s dive into the process of making this fun and festive cake! Follow these step-by-step instructions for a perfectly baked Confetti Layer Cake.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans, or line the bottoms with parchment paper to ensure the cakes release easily after baking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy—about 3-4 minutes. Properly creaming the butter and sugar creates air in the batter, making the cake light and tender.

Step 4: Add the Egg Whites and Vanilla

With the mixer on low speed, add the egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract. Be sure the eggs are at room temperature to ensure they blend smoothly into the butter mixture.

Step 5: Alternate Adding the Dry Ingredients and Milk

With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients (i.e., dry, milk, dry, milk, dry). Mix until just combined after each addition. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense cake.

Step 6: Fold in the Sprinkles

Gently fold the rainbow sprinkles into the batter using a spatula. Make sure to fold them evenly into the batter to distribute them throughout the cake without overmixing.

Step 7: Divide the Batter and Bake

Divide the cake batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake the cakes in the preheated oven for 22-26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.

Step 8: Cool the Cakes

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

How to Make Confetti Layer Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide

Confetti Layer Cake is all about balancing light and fluffy cake layers with the fun crunch of sprinkles. By folding the sprinkles into the batter at the right moment and not overmixing, you’ll ensure that the sprinkles stay intact and the cake remains tender. Cooling the cakes completely before frosting is key to preventing the frosting from melting or sliding off.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when making Confetti Layer Cake:

• Overmixing the batter: Once you add the dry ingredients and sprinkles, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can make the cake dense and tough, and it may also cause the sprinkles to bleed color.
• Using the wrong type of sprinkles: Stick to “jimmies” style sprinkles for the batter. Nonpareils (the small round sprinkles) tend to bleed into the batter, leaving streaks of color rather than confetti bursts.
• Not cooling the cakes completely: Always let the cakes cool fully before frosting. Frosting a warm cake will result in melted, runny frosting.

Serving and Presentation Tips

Once your cake is frosted and decorated, here are a few tips to serve and present your Confetti Layer Cake:

• Slice with a warm knife: To get clean slices, run your knife under hot water, dry it off, and slice into the cake. This will help you cut through the frosting and layers smoothly.
• Serve with Ice Cream: For an extra indulgent dessert, serve each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even a funfetti-flavored ice cream to match the cake.
• Display on a Cake Stand: Use a colorful cake stand to highlight the bright, festive look of the cake.

How to Serve Confetti Layer Cake

Confetti Layer Cake is best served at room temperature, allowing the buttercream to be soft and the cake layers tender. If the cake has been stored in the fridge, take it out 30 minutes to an hour before serving to bring it to the right temperature.

Presentation Ideas for Confetti Layer Cake

• Drip Cake: For an added wow factor, drizzle white chocolate ganache down the sides of the cake for a dramatic drip effect. Add even more sprinkles on top!
• Ombre Sprinkles: Create a gradient effect with the sprinkles by concentrating more sprinkles at the base of the cake and tapering off as you move toward the top.
• Layered Buttercream Colors: Use colored buttercream for each layer of the cake to create a rainbow effect when the cake is sliced.

Confetti Layer Cake Recipe Tips

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Be sure all your ingredients (butter, eggs, and milk) are at room temperature. This helps the ingredients blend together more easily, creating a smoother, more even batter.
• Make Ahead: You can bake the cake layers ahead of time and freeze them for up to one month. Simply wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
• Storage: Store the cake at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to five days. Let the cake come to room temperature before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use box cake mix to make confetti cake?
   Yes! If you're short on time, you can use a white or yellow boxed cake mix and stir in the sprinkles. Just be sure to follow the package instructions for baking.
2. Why are my sprinkles bleeding into the batter?
   If you’re using the wrong type of sprinkles, such as nonpareils, they might bleed into the batter. Use “jimmies” sprinkles, which hold their color better during baking.
3. Can I freeze Confetti Layer Cake?
   Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted cake layers for up to a month. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
4. Can I use different types of frosting?
   Absolutely! While vanilla buttercream is a classic choice, you can also use cream cheese frosting, chocolate frosting, or a whipped frosting if you prefer.

Conclusion

Confetti Layer Cake is a fun, vibrant dessert that’s perfect for celebrations of all kinds. With its fluffy vanilla layers studded with colorful sprinkles and topped with creamy buttercream, it’s sure to bring joy to anyone who tries it. This recipe is easy to follow and can be customized with different frostings or flavor twists. So, gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy every slice of this delightful and festive cake!

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