Name: Funfetti Bundt Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 200 min
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 cup salted butter (softened at room temperature); 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese (softened at room); 2 cups granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or paste; 1 teaspoon almond extract; 5 large whole eggs (room temperature); 1/2 cup whole milk (room temperature); 1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil; 1/3 cup rainbow jimmies sprinkles (plus more to sprinkle on top); 1/4 cup salted butter (room temperature); 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; 2-4 tablespoons milk (more if needed)

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This Funfetti Bundt Cake is colorful, moist, and super soft. Made with a rich vanilla cake batter, loaded with rainbow sprinkles, and topped with a homemade buttercream frosting. It makes the best dessert to celebrate a birthday or celebration and is so much better than cake mix from a box!

PIN this Funfetti Bundt Cake recipe to try later!

Slice of Funfetti Bundt Cake on a small plate with lots of rainbow sprinkles on top and a lite birthday candle.

homemade funfetti bundt cake

Funfetti Bundt Cake aka Birthday Bundt Cake is such a happy cake since it’s filled with bright colors and perfect for any and all occasions (especially birthdays). You can ditch boxed funfetti cake mix and easily make this nostalgic cake from scratch, you’ll be so glad you did.

The frosting that gets drizzled on top is a softer vanilla buttercream so it drips down the sides perfectly- making the most stunning appearance.

We use a vanilla cake batter as the base instead of a white cake batter to add the most flavor. We also use cream cheese as the *secret ingredient* that makes the cake extra decadent- similar to a poundcake. There’s lots of colorful sprinkles in this cake so we love serving this for birthdays and celebrations.

Other delicious cakes to try is Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake, Peanut Butter Snack Cake, Lemon Poppy Seed Cake, and this Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake.

Frosted Funfetti Bundt Cake with rainbow sprinkles.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Delicious Funfetti Cake: The combination of the cream cheese, butter, and oil helps create a moist texture and fluffy cake that will melt in your mouth like a poundcake or butter cake.

Perfect for: Birthday parties, baby showers, celebrations, classroom parties, and any occasion.

Easy cake recipe: Don’t let a homemade cake intimidate you! It’s made with simple ingredients and each step is so easy to do and even kids could help make this (let them add the sprinkles 🙂 they will love this).

Festive sprinkles: Switch up the sprinkles for different holidays so you can make this funfetti cake recipe all year long.

Fun cake: This cake is so fun and filled with bright colors. Both adults and kids say this is the best cake!

Pulling a slice of homemade funfetti cake.

homemade funfetti cake ingredients

Flour: All-purpose flour works great, but you can also use whole wheat flour. Just note the flavor will be slightly different. Always spoon and level flour when measuring it. Be sure not to scoop it out of the bag using the measuring cup. This way, you won’t accidentally measure out too much.
Baking soda and baking powder: Used as a leavening agent.
Salted butter: If you use unsalted butter, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the recipe.
Cream cheese: Full fat cream cheese works best and be sure it’s softened at room temperature. This will add a rich flavor to the cake.
Granulated sugar: Used to make the cake sweet.
Pure vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors. I love using vanilla bean paste to maximize the flavors.
Milk: Whole milk is best to add moisture to the cake and to thin out the frosting.
Oil: Canola oil or vegetable oil can be used. This will also make the cake extra moist and soft.
Eggs: We use 5 whole eggs at room temperature to help bind the cake batter.
Almond extract: Adds the “funfetti cake batter flavor”. This is optional but highly recommended.
Rainbow sprinkles: We add lots of sprinkles for fun! Rainbow jimmies work best to use in the cake batter and you can use any sprinkles to decorate the cake. Use more or less than what the recipe calls for if you wish.

Birdseye view of a few slices of funfetti cake on plates with candles.

how to make funfetti bundt cake

Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and baking soda together until well combined. Set aside.

Cream butter: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese together on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.

Add sugar and extracts: Gradually add in the sugar, then increase the speed to medium-high and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and almond extract.

Beat together and add milk and oil: Reduce the speed to medium-low, then add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the milk and oil.

Add in flour mixture: Reduce the speed to low and add in the flour mixture, mixing just until combined. Finally, fold in the sprinkles.

Generously grease a bundt pan: Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake and let cake cool: Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown AND a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan, set on a wire rack, for 10 minutes. Then flip the cake onto the cooling rack and cool completely for a few more hours.

Make frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat together until combined. Add in the milk and beat together for a minute or until creamy and smooth. Transfer cake to a serving plate, then spread frosting over cooled cake and add extra sprinkles to the top of the cake.

A funfetti bundt cake with frosting dripping down the sides and rainbow sprinkles on top.

F&Q

Can I make this in a loaf pan?

Definitely! You will need to divide the batter in half and bake each half in a loaf pan.

Can I make this in two 8 or 9-inch baking pans instead?

You can, just note that you will also have to decrease the baking time significantly.

Do I have to frost the cake?

You do not have to frost the cake! If you prefer a lighter frosting option, I recommend dusting the cake with powdered sugar or drizzle with a light icing or glaze.

pro tips & variations

Make sure to use room temperature ingredients. This will ensure a smooth and velvety batter and the ingredients will incorporate easily.
Make sure not to over-bake the cake. Every oven is different, so the bake times will be different.
Sprinkles: Switch up the sprinkles to any color for any occasion. Use red and green sprinkles for Christmas or pastel sprinkles during the spring or Easter.
Toppings: Sprinkles (obviously!), mini chocolate chips, crushed cookies, chopped nuts, cookie dough, and fresh berries.
Frosting: Use your favorite frosting to frost the cake or whipped cream. Chocolate frosting, strawberry frosting, cream cheese frosting, and canned frosting could all be used instead of homemade vanilla buttercream.

leftovers & storage

Leftovers: Store leftover cake in an airtight container or cover plate with foil or plastic wrap. Store in a cool area for 2-3 days, then transfer to the refrigerator and store for 2 more days. The cake will start to dry out once it’s stored in the refrigerator.

Freeze: You can freeze unfrosted cake by wrapping the cooled unfrosted cake with plastic wrap, or cut into individual slices and wrap each slice, and then place in a heavy-duty ziplock bag or cover with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrost: To defrost the unfrosted cake, let the cake thaw completely before frosting. Place cake in the refrigerator to sit overnight or sit out in the counter for at least 3 hours. Make frosting and enjoy.