Festive colorful vanilla sprinkle cake (Print Version)
Colorful vanilla cake with rainbow sprinkles and buttercream frosting
# What You Need:
→ Cake
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
09 - 3/4 cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies)
→ Buttercream Frosting
10 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream
13 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
14 - Pinch of salt
15 - Extra sprinkles for decoration
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, lining bottoms with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly blended.
03 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for approximately 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
05 - Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
06 - Gently fold rainbow sprinkles into the batter using a spatula, taking care to maintain their color and texture.
07 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Smooth tops and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Let layers cool in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully turn out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
09 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Continue beating until frosting is light, fluffy, and spreadable.
10 - Once cake layers are completely cool, frost the top of one layer, place the second layer on top, and cover the entire cake with remaining frosting. Decorate generously with additional sprinkles.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Buttercream that transforms storecupboard ingredients into something birthday-worthy
- The moment you cut into that speckled crumb and see rainbow confetti smiling back
- A cake that demands you light candles even when its just a regular Thursday
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients prevent curdled batter and dense cake layers
- Jimmies hold their color while nonpareils bleed into gray streaks in the oven
- Completely cool cake layers prevent melting frosting and sliding tiers
03 -
- Sift your powdered sugar directly into the mixing bowl to prevent stubborn lumps in your frosting
- Use an offset spatula and hot water for the smoothest frosting finish imaginable