Get ready to fall head over heels with Confetti Layer Cake—a sweet, playful classic that turns any day into a celebration! This cheerful cake features soft, buttery layers flecked with rainbow sprinkles, all blanketed in fluffy, cloud-like vanilla frosting. Every slice is bursting with color and happiness, making it the perfect centerpiece for birthdays, parties, or honestly any time you need a little sprinkle magic in your life. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just want to treat yourself, Confetti Layer Cake is the kind of dessert that brings pure joy from the first bite to the last crumb.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Baking a beautiful Confetti Layer Cake doesn’t require a shopping list a mile long—just a handful of pantry basics and, of course, plenty of sprinkles! Each ingredient has a purpose, from tenderizing the crumb to adding that unmistakable vanilla flavor or colorful bursts throughout the layers.

All-purpose flour: Gives the cake structure while staying light and tender—make sure to spoon and level for accuracy!
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create that perfect, moist crumb.
Unsalted butter: Adds rich flavor and softness; bring it to room temperature for easy creaming.
Eggs: Bind everything together and add a lovely yellow hue to your layers.
Whole milk: The secret to a supple, just-dense-enough crumb—don’t substitute with skim if you want lusciousness!
Pure vanilla extract: Infuses the cake and frosting with classic, fragrant sweetness.
Baking powder: Gives your layers their irresistible lift and fluffiness.
Salt: An essential for balancing out all that sweetness and making flavors pop.
Rainbow sprinkles: The star of Confetti Layer Cake! Look for “jimmies” style sprinkles so colors don’t bleed.
Powdered sugar: Blends seamlessly into frosting for an airy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Heavy cream: Adds richness and helps whip your frosting into pillowy peaks.

How to Make Confetti Layer Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Ingredients

Line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides—no one likes a stuck cake! Preheat your oven to 350°F. Set out your butter, eggs, and milk to reach room temperature so everything creams together smoothly for that signature soft crumb.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. This step injects air into the batter, giving your Confetti Layer Cake its lovely lightness.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed, then stir in the vanilla extract. Mixing slowly helps to keep the batter smooth and well combined, which means even texture once baked.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This simple step ensures the leavening is well distributed, which means your cake will bake up evenly with no pockets of bitterness or dense spots.

Step 5: Alternate Dry Ingredients and Milk

With the mixer on low, add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, then pour in the milk. Gently mix, then add the remaining flour mixture, stopping when just incorporated. Over-mixing causes tough cake, so treat the batter gently!

Step 6: Fold in the Sprinkles

With a spatula, fold in the rainbow sprinkles until evenly distributed—don’t overwork the batter or the colors can blur together. This is when your batter truly transforms into a Confetti Layer Cake masterpiece!

Step 7: Bake

Divide the batter evenly between the pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a rack to finish cooling completely.

Step 8: Make the Frosting

Beat softened butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Add in vanilla and heavy cream, increasing speed to whip it into a dreamy, cloud-like consistency. Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.

Step 9: Assemble and Decorate

Level the cakes if needed. Place the first layer on a plate, spread with frosting, top with the second layer, then coat the entire cake in frosting. Finish by showering the top and sides with extra rainbow sprinkles for a Confetti Layer Cake that dazzles!

How to Serve Confetti Layer Cake

Garnishes

Sprinkle the top and sides with extra rainbow sprinkles for maximum celebratory vibes. For a fun twist, try edible glitter, mini chocolate chips, or piped swirls of colored frosting—there’s no limit to how you can dress up your Confetti Layer Cake!

Side Dishes

Pair slices of Confetti Layer Cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream, or even a medley of fresh berries for some tangy contrast. For grown ups, a cup of rich coffee or sippable dessert wine makes the perfect accompaniment.

Creative Ways to Present

Individual mini cakes are adorable for birthday parties—just bake the batter in cupcake tins and assemble with frosting and sprinkles. Or, try serving your Confetti Layer Cake in mason jars for a fun, portable dessert that’s guaranteed to charm kids and adults alike!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover Confetti Layer Cake tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. For best flavor and texture, let slices come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving—this will make the cake nice and soft, just like when it was freshly baked.

Freezing

To freeze, wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic and foil, or store frosted slices in airtight containers. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 2 months; just thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying. Avoid freezing the cake with fresh berries or delicate garnishes, as their texture can change.

Reheating

If you like slightly warm cake, zap individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This softens the crumb and slightly melts the frosting, turning each bite into a gooey, bakery-worthy treat—just be careful not to overheat.

FAQs

Can I use different types of sprinkles?

Absolutely! Opt for jimmies or confetti-style sprinkles, as nonpareils tend to bleed color and can darken the batter. Feel free to mix and match themes to suit holidays or parties.

What if I don’t have two matching pans?

No worries! You can bake the batter in a single taller pan and slice it in half horizontally once cool, or bake layers one at a time—just keep an eye on the baking time, as it might need adjusting.

How do I prevent my cake from being dry?

Careful measuring and not overbaking are key. Make sure your flour is measured by spoon-and-level and check your cake at the minimum bake time. A little underbaking is better than going too far!

Can I make the Confetti Layer Cake gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. You may notice a slightly different texture, but the cake should still be delicious and festive.

Is it possible to reduce the sugar?

You can cut back the sugar by 1/4 cup in the batter for a less sweet cake, though this might alter the texture slightly. For the frosting, sample as you mix and stop when you reach your desired level of sweetness.

Final Thoughts

Confetti Layer Cake is pure joy wrapped in butter, sprinkles, and cake layers—what’s not to love? Whether you’re baking for a big birthday bash or just feel like treating yourself, this recipe guarantees smiles all around. Go ahead, gather your favorite people, and make every day a little more magical with a slice (or two) of Confetti Layer Cake!

How to Make Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe