This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
The best way to celebrate a birthday, a special event, or any other occasion is with this Funfetti Sheet Cake! It is colorful, soft, fluffy, full of rainbow sprinkles, and topped with a creamy strawberry cream cheese frosting.
The Secret To Soft and Fluffy Cake
This cake is fabulous, thanks to a secret tip: adding boiling water to the batter! It sounds crazy, but it makes the cake super fluffy and moist. Not only do I love how fluffy this cake is, but I also love how the cake brings the party to every bite! The funfetti sprinkles are just that: fun! And because it’s simple to make and yields eighteen servings, it’s perfect for large gatherings!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here are all of the funfetti cake ingredients, including substitutions.
For the Sheet Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour – This provides the structure for our cake. Spoon and level for accuracy. Cake flour can be substituted for a slightly lighter texture.
- 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder + 2 ½ teaspoons baking soda – The powder gives the cake lift. The soda helps balance the acid from the buttermilk and gives the cake its signature airy crumb.
- 1 teaspoon salt – Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
- 2 cups granulated sugar – Sweetens the cake and helps it brown slightly.
- 3 large eggs – These add structure and richness, and help bind everything together.
- ½ cup canola oil – Keeps the cake super moist. You can sub with any neutral oil, or even melted butter for a slightly richer flavor.
- 1 cup buttermilk – Adds tang and tenderness. No buttermilk? Make my buttermilk substitute recipe.
- 2 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract – Adds that classic cake flavor. You can also use imitation vanilla.
- 1 cup boiling water – Yes, really! This makes the batter thin but produces an incredibly moist, fluffy cake.
- ¾ cup rainbow sprinkles – The stars of the show. Use “jimmies” style sprinkles to avoid color bleeding.
For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter – Gives the frosting body and flavor. Make sure it’s at room temp for smooth blending.
- 8 ounces cream cheese – Adds that signature tang and creaminess. Use full-fat for the best result.
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar – Sweetens and thickens the frosting. Sift if yours is clumpy.
- ½ cup strawberry preserves – Brings a slight fruity flavor and a soft pink hue. Raspberry or cherry preserves also work well.
How To Make Funfetti Sheet Cake
Mix the batter and thin it with boiling water for a moist, fluffy crumb. Once baked and cooled, top it with a luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting and more sprinkles for a fun, party-ready finish.
Bake the Funfetti Sheet Cake
- Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- Add the wet ingredients: eggs, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth and no lumps remain.
- Pour in the boiling water carefully and whisk again until the batter is thoroughly combined and thinned.
- Fold in the sprinkles gently using a spatula.
- Pour the batter into a parchment-lined and greased 9 by 13-inch pan. Bake in a 350°F preheated oven for about 30 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan for at least 1 hour before frosting.
Make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat the softened butter and cream cheese in a large bowl on low speed until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar and strawberry preserves. Beat until fluffy and well combined. If desired, stir in a drop of pink food coloring.
Frost and Decorate
- Spoon the frosting over the top and spread evenly with an offset spatula.
- Add a generous coating of rainbow sprinkles.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy.
Essential Recipe Tips
Use jimmies-style sprinkles. Other types tend to melt or bleed into the batter.
Don’t skip the boiling water. It makes the batter thin but produces a lighter, moister crumb.
Cool completely before frosting. Warm cake will melt the frosting and make it slide.
Make It A Meal
It’s so much fun to make this Strawberry Breeze drink to serve alongside this funfetti cake.
Funfetti Sheet Cake
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- large mixing bowl
- whisk
- measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Wire rack
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Offset spatula
- Knife or cake cutter
Ingredients
FOR THE SHEET CAKE:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup canola oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- ¾ cup rainbow sprinkles
FOR THE STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup strawberry preserves
FOR DECORATING:
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
Make the Funfetti Sheet Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing it to hang slightly over the sides for easy removal later.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- Add the eggs, canola oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Whisk until the batter is very smooth and no dry spots remain.
- Carefully pour the boiling water into the batter and whisk until thoroughly combined. (Don’t worry—this will make the batter very thin. That’s precisely what you want!)
- Use a spatula to gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles. Try not to overmix so the colors don’t bleed too much.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the center of the oven for 30 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown, pulling away slightly from the sides, and springs back when gently pressed.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 1 hour before turning it out on a wire rack and frosting.
Make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together on low speed until smooth and fully combined.
- Add the powdered sugar and strawberry preserve. Beat again until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and fluffy. (Optional: If you’d like a brighter pink frosting, add a drop of pink food coloring at this point.)
Frost and Decorate:
- Once the cake is completely cooled, spoon the frosting over the top. Use an offset spatula to spread it evenly all over the surface.
- Generously sprinkle the top of the frosted cake with rainbow sprinkles for that perfect Funfetti look.
- Cut into squares and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Funfetti Sheet Cake Recipe FAQs
You can use two 8-inch round pans instead of a baking sheet. However, you will need to adjust the baking time, as it will not require as long. Check it around twenty minutes and bake until the cakes are ready.
Do not panic! This is completely normal and is the secret to this recipe in creating a super moist and tender cake.
Of course. Feel free to mix it up, according to your preference. Chocolate or vanilla would also work well with this cake.
More Desserts
