Funfetti Sheet Cake Recipe

Introduction

This Funfetti Sheet Cake is a delightful celebration in every bite, perfect for birthdays or any joyful occasion. Moist, fluffy, and filled with colorful sprinkles, it’s topped with a creamy vanilla frosting that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (168g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup (75g) vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 cup (60g) water, room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups (320g) all-purpose flour or 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour, spooned and leveled
• 1 cup (240g) buttermilk, room temperature
• 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp (115g) rainbow sprinkles (use only jimmies)
• 1/2 cup (112g) vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup (112g) unsalted butter, room temperature (for frosting)
• 4 cups (440g) powdered sugar, spooned and leveled
• 2 tsp clear vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 3-4 tbsp water, room temperature (for frosting)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Line it with parchment paper, covering the bottom and two longest sides, leaving some overhang to easily remove the cake later.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment to cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 1 minute until light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl.
3. Step 3: Add the vegetable oil and mix on medium speed until creamy. Then mix in the vanilla extract and eggs until the batter is smooth.
4. Step 4: Scrape down the bowl. Add the cornstarch, baking powder, and kosher salt, mixing until fully combined. Scrape down again.
5. Step 5: Add the water and mix until smooth. Gradually mix in the flour on low speed. About halfway through, pour in the buttermilk and continue mixing until the batter is thick but smooth. Scrape down the bowl to incorporate any flour at the bottom.
6. Step 6: Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles to distribute them evenly without bleeding color.
7. Step 7: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 32 to 38 minutes, until the cake is puffed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool for 20 minutes, then cool completely at room temperature or in the fridge.
8. Step 8: To make the frosting, beat the shortening and butter in a large bowl until smooth, even if slightly lumpy. Add half the powdered sugar and mix, then add vanilla extract and the remaining powdered sugar. The frosting will be thick.
9. Step 9: Scrape the bowl, then add 3 tablespoons of water and mix until smooth. Add the remaining tablespoon of water if needed to reach spreading consistency.
10. Step 10: Spread the frosting over the cooled cake and sprinkle extra jimmies on top. Slice into 12 pieces and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Use only jimmies sprinkles instead of nonpareils to avoid color bleeding throughout the cake.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and buttermilk with vegan alternatives and use plant-based shortening.
• Make it extra festive by adding a few drops of food coloring to the frosting before spreading.

Storage

Store the cake covered in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate the cake for up to a week. Before serving, allow refrigerated cake to come to room temperature for best texture. The frosting may firm up in the fridge, so let it soften slightly before slicing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular sprinkles instead of jimmies?

It’s best to use jimmies sprinkles because they don’t bleed color as much as nonpareils, keeping your cake batter looking bright and cheerful.

Can I bake this cake in smaller pans?

Yes, you can divide the batter into two 8-inch round pans or cupcakes. Adjust baking time accordingly; rounds may take around 25-30 minutes and cupcakes about 18-22 minutes.

Funfetti Sheet Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 50 reviews

This Funfetti Sheet Cake is a delightful and festive dessert perfect for celebrations and everyday indulgence. Featuring a moist, fluffy vanilla cake studded with rainbow sprinkles and topped with a smooth, creamy vanilla frosting loaded with more sprinkles, this recipe combines classic comfort with a fun, colorful twist. Easy to prepare and baked in a single pan, it’s ideal for parties or any occasion that calls for a cheerful treat.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Funfetti Cake

• 3/4 cup (168g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup (75g) vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 cup (60g) water, room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups (320g) all-purpose flour or 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour, spooned and leveled
• 1 cup (240g) buttermilk, room temperature
• 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp (115g) rainbow sprinkles (only use jimmies)

Vanilla Frosting

• 1/2 cup (112g) vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup (112g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 cups (440g) powdered sugar, spooned and leveled
• 2 tsp clear vanilla extract
• 3–4 tbsp water, room temperature

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and line with parchment paper, ensuring the bottom and two longest sides have some overhang for easy cake removal.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, using a hand or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for about 1 minute until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Add Oil: Scrape down the bowl, then mix in the vegetable oil on medium speed until the batter achieves a creamy consistency.
4. Incorporate Vanilla and Eggs: Add the clear vanilla extract and eggs to the mixture, blending until smooth and fully combined.
5. Add Dry Ingredients: Scrape down the bowl, then add cornstarch, baking powder, and kosher salt. Mix to fully incorporate all ingredients evenly.
6. Mix Wet Ingredients: Scrape down the sides and mix in the water until smooth.
7. Combine Flour and Buttermilk: Gradually add the all-purpose flour on low speed. About halfway through mixing in the flour, pour in the buttermilk and continue mixing until the batter is thick but smooth. Scrape down the bowl once more to ensure everything is well incorporated, then gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles.
8. Bake the Cake: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 32 to 38 minutes, or until the cake is evenly puffed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Allow the cake to cool for 20 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack or refrigerate until completely cool.
9. Make the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the vegetable shortening and unsalted butter together using a mixer until smooth, even if the mixture looks slightly lumpy.
10. Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla: Mix in half of the powdered sugar, followed by the clear vanilla extract, then add the remaining powdered sugar. The frosting should be very thick at this stage.
11. Thin the Frosting: Scrape down the bowl and gradually add 3 tablespoons of water, mixing until smooth. Add the remaining tablespoon of water only if needed to reach a spreadable consistency.
12. Frost the Cake: Spread the vanilla frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Sprinkle additional rainbow jimmies on top for decoration.
13. Serve: Slice the sheet cake into 12 pieces. Serve and enjoy your colorful and festive Funfetti Sheet Cake!

Notes

• Use only jimmies sprinkles (non-melting) in the batter and frosting for best texture and color retention.
• Make sure all wet ingredients (buttermilk, eggs, water) are at room temperature to ensure even mixing and optimal texture.
• Line the pan with parchment paper with overhang on the sides to easily lift the cake out for frosting and slicing.
• Allow the cake to cool thoroughly before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
• The frosting can be adjusted in consistency by adding water a tablespoon at a time to get the perfect spreadable texture.
• You can substitute gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour for a gluten-free version without changing other ingredients.

Keywords: Funfetti cake, sheet cake, vanilla cake, rainbow sprinkles, birthday cake, easy dessert, party cake, sheet pan cake