How to Make Funfetti Cake

This homemade funfetti Patriotic Cake recipe from scratch is the best dessert for Memorial Day, Independence Day, or just a fun summer treat. Combined with homemade frosting and patriotic sprinkles, it's certain to be a hit! 

The best part about making funfetti cake from scratch is that it not only tastes great, but it's simple to make.  I love that this cake is so flexible.  You can mix and match your sprinkles because on the holiday or event. 

Having a themed birthday part? Make a homemade funfetti cake and use colored jimmie style sprinkles to make your event.  

Red, White, and Blue Cake

I think it's safe to say that we can all appreciate a delicious homemade cake. There's nothing quite like that first bite that you take of a perfectly baked and moist cake. 

What I love most about this white cake mix recipe is that it's simple and easy to do. Anytime we go anywhere for the 4th of July or Memorial Day celebration, I'm always asked to bring this as the dessert.

And since I've made this so many times, I have no issue making that happen. It's not only a fool-proof cake recipe, but it's fun and festive as well. 

The patriotic sprinkles on top of the frosting as well as in the cake mix make for such a fun look and surprise. 

I've made this for so many family gatherings and fun BBQs, too. This cake is literally a hit that packs the perfect taste.

While I do enjoy this as a cake recipe, you can easily add to cupcake tins as well and create Patriotic Cupcakes, too. There is something so fun about having handheld treats that you can grab and go as you mingle.

I also love that this recipe is quite versatile as well. It's a straightforward recipe and fun to make together as a family. If you like to have a baking day, you can't go wrong with adding this to your menu. 

What is funfetti cake

Funfetti cake is a soft vanilla cake base that has rainbow or colored sprinkles folded into the batter.  The sprinkles add fun color and also a small amount of crunch to funfetti cake. 

Did you know that Funfetti cake was originally invented in 1989 by Pillsbury.  Pillsbury has an entire line of funfetti items, such as pancakes mix, brownie mix and cans of frosting. 

For this recipe though, we are going to be making Funfetti cake from scratch. 

I think we call all agree that Pillsbury named this cake accurately.  This cake is so bright and colorful that it's fun to eat. 

Not only is the cake filled with sprinkles but in most funfetti cakes you also use the same sprinkles to top the frosting making your cake look even more festive. 

Patriotic Funfetti Cake Recipe Ingredients

Since you're going to be making the cake and frosting from scratch, gather up the list of ingredients below. 

• 2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temp
• 1 & ½ cups granulated sugar
• 6 large egg whites, room temp
• ¾ cup whole milk, room temp
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream, room temp
• ¾ cup patriotic sprinkles

For the frosting:

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• Pinch of sea salt
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• More sprinkles for garnish, optional

Frosting variations for Memorial Day Cake

Even though this recipe includes the direction for frosting, you can opt-out and top it with whatever you'd like. I also think that whipped cream is a great topping choice as is powdered sugar, too. 

Just a note about the frosting recipe for this homemade funfetti cake.  This frosting recipe makes a thin layer of frosting, so if you are frosting lover you might want to double your frosting recipe. 

Whatever you decide to do is completely up to you. You can even do a half and half cake which sounds super fun and unique! 

How do you tell when a cake is done baking?

Using a toothpick is the easiest way to tell. Insert a toothpick or a butter knife into the center of the baked cake. If it comes out clean, it's ready to be pulled from the oven. 

If it comes out with batter on it, it's going to need to be cooked longer in the oven. I always just cook it in a batch of 2 more minutes at a time to ensure that I don't overtake the cake. 

Another way to tell if your cake is done is to check and see if the batter has started to pull away from the sides of the pan.  When a cake starts to pull away from the sides of a pan, the cake is on it's way to being perfectly baked. 

What kind of sprinkles for homemade funfetti cake

Choosing the right kind of sprinkles for homemade funfetti cake is important. 

In order to prevent either your sprinkles from being too crunchy or the colors from your sprinkles bleeding into your cake mix, you need to choose your sprinkles carefully. 

When making funfetti cake from scratch you want to use a jimmie style sprinkle like these bulk ones on Amazon.

If you don't know what a jimmie is, they are slightly larger, oblong-shaped chocolate or multi-colored sprinkles typically used for topping ice cream and sundaes.

Can you freeze funfetti cake?

You can. If you're wanting to make this cake and freeze it for later, I highly suggest that you freeze it before adding on any toppings.

Frozen frosting doesn't unthaw the best and you can always top it later once it's unthawed with fresh frosting or whipped cream. 

How do I prevent homemade cake from drying out 

I have a three tricks for you to help you prevent your homemade cake from drying out.  First, do not over mix your cake batter.  You want to mix your cake until it is just combined. 

There's no need to continue mixing once your ingredients are combined.  

Another trick is to not over baked your cake.  During the last 5 minutes of your bake time watch your cake closely.  Once your cake no longer jiggles in the center and the sides have pulled away from the sides of the pan, your cake is ready. 

You can check for doneness in the center of your cake with a toothpick. 

Lastly, do not refrigerate your cake.  Keeping cake in the fridge can cause your cake to dry out faster.  This homemade funfetti cake will last just fine on the counter for up to three days.  No need to keep it cold. 

Variations for Patriotic Cake 

Even though this red, white, and blue cake recipe is fun as is, you can easily change it to match any other season. Add in some orange and black sprinkles for Halloween or even red and green sprinkles for Christmas.

Throwing a birthday party? Find sprinkles that match your birthday party theme and you will have a homemade cake to make your party. 

These little changes make this the perfect cake for any time of year! 

How To Make This 4th of July Cake Recipe

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with baking spray, set aside.

Step 2. Get out and measure all of your ingredients.

Step 3. In a medium-sized bowl, add flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda

Step 4, Stir until blended. Set aside.

Step 5. In the body of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter with the sugar for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.

Step 6. Scrape down the sides as needed.

Step 7. Add the egg whites into the mixer in three batches.

Step 8. Mixing fully before the next addition, scrape down the sides.

Step 9. Slowly stir in the milk and vanilla until smooth.

Step 10. Add half of the flour mixture and mix in until combined.

Step 11. Mix in half of the sour cream until combined. Repeat with the remaining flour and sour cream. Scrape down the sides

Step 12. Add sprinkles.

Step 13. Stir until blended.

Step 14. Pour the batter into the baking dish and smooth out the top. Bake for 35-42 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 15. Place on a wire rack to cool completely.

How to make the frosting

Step 1. While the cake is cooling, make the frosting by placing the butter into a large bowl.

Step 2. Using an electric hand mixer and whip until smooth.

Step 3. Slowly add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time.

Step 4. Until incorporated.

Step 5. Add the salt, milk, and vanilla, stir it in until combined then whip it on medium-high speed.

Step 6. Until light and fluffy for 3 minutes.

Step 7. Frost the cake using a butter knife or spatula.

Step 8. Add more sprinkles if desired.

Step 9. Slice and serve. Enjoy every bite.

Tips for Making Funfetti Cake from Scratch

• To avoid the sprinkles bleeding into the cake I like to use the Jimmie style sprinkles. These work the best and really hold their shape and coloring. 
• The cake is very moist and flavorful with a fantastic vanilla flavor. You can also mix up the extract flavors per your preference.
• The frosting makes a thin layer which to me is the perfect ratio of frosting to cake. If you prefer more frosting, you can 1.5x or double the recipe.

Have so much fun making up this homemade cake recipe! It's such a wonderful flavor to enjoy!

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