If you’re on the hunt for the perfect celebratory bake, look no further than this Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake! Overflowing with old-school charm and those cheerful rainbow sprinkles everyone loves, this cake is buttery, fluffy, and crowned with a swoop of dreamy vanilla frosting. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a promotion, or just a Tuesday, this recipe promises a moist crumb, vibrant appearance, and a smile with every slice. You don’t need special skills or obscure ingredients—the Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake is exactly as fun, colorful, and stress-free as home baking should be. Let’s dive in and make your kitchen a happier place.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making this Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake only calls for familiar baking basics with just the right touches to create an irresistibly tender crumb and festive color. Each ingredient is chosen for maximum deliciousness and visual celebration!
- All-purpose flour: Provides the ideal fluffy texture without being too dense.
- Baking powder: Ensures the cake rises nicely, creating a light and airy bite.
- Salt: Just a touch enhances all the sweet flavors and balances richness.
- Unsalted butter (room temperature): Adds luxurious flavor and keeps the cake moist.
- Granulated sugar: Delivers the perfect amount of sweetness and helps the cake brown.
- Large eggs (room temperature): Offer structure and richness, binding everything together.
- Pure vanilla extract: Infuses wonderful warmth and classic vanilla aroma.
- Whole milk (room temperature): Makes the batter silky and helps everything bake evenly.
- Rainbow sprinkles (plus extra for topping): These playful pops of color are what make the Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake so irresistible—choose the “jimmies” style for best results!
- Powdered sugar (for frosting): The secret to smooth, creamy frosting with zero grittiness.
- Unsalted butter (softened, for frosting): Whips up fluffy, buttery-sweet frosting that spreads like a dream.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness and helps the frosting achieve that cloud-like texture.
- Vanilla extract (for frosting): Doubles up on that lovely vanilla flavor, both in cake and frosting.
- Pinch of salt (for frosting): Balances the sweetness to keep your frosting perfectly moreish.
How to Make Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)—a crucial step to guarantee even baking. Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy, drama-free removal later on. This is also the time to let your butter, eggs, and milk come to room temperature; it makes all the difference for a smooth, even batter.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This not only ensures your leavening is evenly distributed, but also helps prevent any surprise bursts of baking powder or salt in the final cake. You want everything harmoniously blended, just waiting to pair up with your wet ingredients.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the room-temperature butter with the sugar until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy—about three to five minutes. Don’t rush this step; creaming creates pockets of air and will reward you with a tender, bakery-style crumb in your Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time to make sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Follow with a generous tablespoon of pure vanilla extract to set the stage with that sweet, dreamy aroma. Your batter should be smooth, creamy, and almost good enough to eat as is (but don’t—there’s magic still to come!).
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now, alternate adding the dry flour mixture and the milk in three rounds, beginning and ending with the dry mix. This keeps the batter well-hydrated and prevents overmixing, so your Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake comes out fluffy and never tough. Stop mixing as soon as the last streaks of flour disappear.
Step 6: Fold in the Sprinkles
Time for the fun part! Grab your jimmies (the long, rod-shaped sprinkles) and gently fold them into the batter with a spatula. Take care not to overmix here—just enough to distribute those rainbow pops without breaking them down and turning your batter muddy.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 25-30 minutes. The cakes are ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs. Let them cool in the pans for ten minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely—frosting perks best on cooled layers!
Step 8: Make the Vanilla Frosting
In a clean bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Splash in the heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until you reach spreadable, cloud-like perfection. This rich, fluffy frosting will make your Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake impossible to resist.
Step 9: Frost and Decorate
Place one cake layer on your serving plate, spread a generous layer of frosting, and set the second cake layer on top. Frost the entire cake with smooth swirls, then go all out: shower your masterpiece with extra rainbow sprinkles so every slice is a little party.
How to Serve Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake
Garnishes
Naturally, more sprinkles are a must! Scatter them generously over the frosted cake (and maybe around the plate) for that irresistible birthday-cake vibe. For extra pizzazz, add a ring of whipped cream swirls or a drizzle of white chocolate—just enough to set off the colors without hiding them.
Side Dishes
Pair slices of Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake with tall glasses of cold milk, creamy vanilla ice cream, or even fresh berries for a sweet and refreshing contrast. If you’re creating a party spread, serve alongside other finger-friendly treats for a colorful dessert table that will dazzle.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond the classic layer cake! Try making cupcakes for an easy-to-share treat, or bake in a rectangular pan and cut into squares for a sprinkle cake snack bar. Use cookie cutters to create shaped mini cakes, or pile up slices with extra frosting for a sprinkle cake trifle—there’s no limit to the fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake fresh by covering it tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. It will stay moist at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate for up to a week—just let it come to room temp for the softest cake and fluffiest frosting before serving.
Freezing
If you’d like to make cake ahead for a future celebration, you’re in luck! Wrap unfrosted (or even frosted) cake layers tightly in several layers of plastic wrap and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bring to room temperature before decorating or serving.
Reheating
While this cake is enjoyed best at room temperature, a quick zap in the microwave for 5-10 seconds takes the chill off and restores that just-baked freshness. Be gentle—overheating can melt frosting and make the cake dry. Enjoy it as-is for next-level treat satisfaction!
FAQs
Can I use nonpareil sprinkles instead of jimmies?
Jimmies are best because they hold their color and shape during baking, whereas nonpareils tend to bleed and blend colors into the batter. If using nonpareils, add them only as a topping, not mixed into the cake!
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a measure-for-measure gluten-free baking blend. The texture might differ slightly, but you’ll still get all the festive flavor and charm of the original Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake.
What’s the best way to get even cake layers?
Use a kitchen scale to divide the batter equally between pans, and don’t forget to smooth the tops before baking. Rotating the pans halfway through baking can also help ensure both layers are evenly baked.
Can I make this recipe as cupcakes?
Yes! Simply divide the batter evenly among cupcake liners (about two-thirds full) and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18-22 minutes. Decorate with frosting and extra sprinkles for the cutest party-ready treats.
Is it possible to add different flavors to the cake?
Yes, feel free to jazz up your Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake by adding a splash of almond extract or citrus zest. Just a little tweak can create a fun twist while keeping all that classic sprinkle cake spirit.
Final Thoughts
Baking your own Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake is like bottling pure joy—every colorful crumb brings both nostalgia and celebration. Treat yourself to a slice (or two), share with friends, and don’t be surprised if this simple, happy cake becomes your new go-to for every special occasion. You’ll love it—and so will everyone else!
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Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Homemade Sprinkle Cake is a delightful treat that’s perfect for any celebration. Moist vanilla cake studded with colorful sprinkles, filled and frosted with a rich buttercream, and topped with extra sprinkles for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles (plus extra for topping)
Frosting:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Combine Ingredients: Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture. Fold in rainbow sprinkles.
- Bake: Divide batter into pans and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool cakes on a wire rack.
- Make Frosting: Beat softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and heavy cream until smooth.
- Frost the Cake: Frost cooled cakes and decorate with sprinkles.
Notes
- Use jimmies-style sprinkles for best results as nonpareils may bleed color.
- For added flavor, try adding a splash of almond extract.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
