Festive Colorful Vanilla Cake (Print Page)
A colorful vanilla celebration cake with rainbow sprinkles and fluffy 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
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until evenly blended.
03 - Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until incorporated.
05 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
06 - Gently fold rainbow sprinkles into batter using a spatula, incorporating evenly without overmixing.
07 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Smooth tops and bake for 25-30 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
08 - Let layers cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
09 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt. Continue beating until frosting becomes light, fluffy, and spreadable.
10 - Frost top of one completely cooled layer. Place second layer on top and cover entire cake with remaining frosting. Decorate generously with extra sprinkles.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Buttery vanilla cake with party vibes built right into every bite
- Simple enough for a Tuesday but impressive enough for the biggest birthdays
- The buttercream pipes beautifully and tastes like a bakery dream
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients are not optional—cold butter creates sad, dense cake
- Jimmies hold their color in the oven while nonpareils dissolve into strange streaks
- Completely cool layers are mandatory or your buttercream will melt right off
03 -
- Place a dab of frosting under your cake plate to keep it from sliding around while decorating
- Warm your knife in hot water and wipe clean between slices for picture-perfect servings