Funfetti Cupcakes Recipe

This super delicious Funfetti Cupcakes Recipe is perfect for parties and celebrations! Light and fluffy, so much better than the box mix!

My friends – I don’t think I have ever met a cupcake that I didn’t like – or eat for that matter. I grew up with a professional baker/cake decorator, so cake and frosting is literally running through my veins.

So no surprise that I love to make cupcakes and frosting as often as life permits. Because we were celebrating some major family events recently, but I didn’t want to make a full-sized Funfetti cake, I knew some homemade Funfetti cupcakes were in order and I topped them with cream cheese frosting too.

To me, rainbow sprinkles are just the epitome of happy. How can you not smile when you see sprinkles on a cupcake? I mean, I already mentioned just how much I love cupcakes. But those sprinkles – they are irresistible!

Not only do I love them on the cupcake – but making Funfetti means I get to put them IN the cupcakes too – which just sends my happiness level to new heights. They are perfect for celebrating the big and the small moments alike.

Check them out – I know you’ll love them as much as I do!

funfetti cupcakes

Here are some commonly asked questions

What is Funfetti?

Basically Funfetti is soft, fluffy, vanilla cake with rainbow sprinkles baked throughout. It’s FUN and probably my most favorite flavor of cake. I have heard that in other regions it is referred to as confetti cake. But then Pillsbury came out with an actual Funfetti variety of their box mix – which made it all the more popular.

What are the best sprinkles for this cake?

This is important – just because the package says “sprinkles” doesn’t necessarily mean that it is in-fact sprinkles.

I see a lot of people using colored sanding sugar that is labeled as sprinkles.

This will not work as well because when that sugar gets wet – like when mixed into a moist dough or batter or when placed in the refrigerator, it will sweat & the color will bleed out.

“Sprinkles” called Nonpareils are also not great for this recipe because they also bleed.

How do I properly measure the flour?

The official way is to spoon the flour into the measuring cup & level off. This makes sure the flour isn’t packed tightly into your measuring cup, adding more than you need, as that will make your recipe too dry.

However – if you fluff your flour with a spoon, then gently scoop the flour into the measuring cup, taking care to not pack the flour – that should work for this recipe.

homemade funfetti cupcakes

More Great Birthday Cake-Flavored Recipes

Confetti Cake – Funfetti Cake

Frosted Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies

Funfetti Cake Batter Dip

Homemade Funfetti Cake

Birthday Cheesecake

Birthday Cake Cookies

Colorful Confetti Sprinkle Cupcakes

Why do the ingredients need to be at room temperature?

Room temperature ingredients help to ensure that everything blends together perfectly. You don’t want any pockets of unblended butter. You want everything evenly disbursed for the perfect texture.

This is important. It helps things blend nicely & form an emulsion which traps air. While baking in the oven, that trapped air expands and produces fluffy baked goods.

How to soften the butter to room temperature?

First

There are a couple of ways to do this. The first being that you can take the butter (& any other ingredients that need to be at room temperature) out, leave it on the counter for about 30 minutes while you prep for baking.

I usually start with all my chilled ingredients and pull everything I need out onto the counter before getting started – so I know for sure I have everything before I’m mid-way through I realize I’m out of something.

But sometimes it’s winter and that isn’t enough time to get the ingredients warmed up – OR – I’m just not that organized to plan ahead. It happens. So I have another couple of tricks.

Second

I place the butter in the microwave – wrapped in the paper. (don’t do this if it is wrapped in foil) Then I microwave for 2 seconds – flip – go another 2 seconds – flip again – and continue for 2 seconds on each side.

This is usually enough to get it perfect – sometimes stopping before if it feels soft enough. Take care when doing this method – overly softened butter from the microwave WILL ALTER the end result of the recipe. Don’t over-do it.

Third

My third method is to place the wrapped butter sticks in a zip-top bag and place it in a bowl of warm water. I do this with the eggs too. If the water isn’t too hot it can be THE PERFECT way to get “room-temperature” ingredients.

Can I use a gluten-free flour?

I’m not sure just yet. I have been meaning to give this a try but haven’t had a chance. If you do try this, I would recommend using a 1:1 flour like this one as I don’t believe it would require additional ingredients that are typically called for when trying to make baked recipes in a gluten-free version. Please come back & tell me how it turned out.

confetti cupcakes recipe

Can Funfetti cupcakes be frozen?

Yes, I do it often. Once baked – these cupcakes can be frozen at all stages of the creation process. I like to remove the freshly baked and cooled cupcakes from the pan, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them for later use. (this is also handy when you want to work with cold cupcakes to keep the frosting from getting too soft.)

You can also place the completely decorated cupcakes in an airtight container and freeze them until you need them. Remember that the frosting won’t be completely firm and can still be dented if something gets pushed up against it while in the freezer.

Just make sure to thaw the cupcakes in the fridge the night before as they do taste best when not frozen. I also like to leave the cupcakes at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving so the frosting is more creamy than stiff.

Try these cupcakes with a few of my favorite frosting recipes…

• Cake Batter Frosting
• Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
• Coffee Buttercream Frosting
• Cookie Dough Frosting
• Best Bakery Buttercream Frosting
• Fresh Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

funfetti cupcakes from scratch

Ingredients for Funfetti cupcakes

• all-purpose flour
• granulated sugar
• baking powder
• eggs
• vegetable oil
• buttermilk
• pure vanilla extract
• sprinkles

Ingredients for cream cheese frosting

• cream cheese
• butter
• vanilla extract
• confectioner’s sugar

confetti cupcakes

How to make funfetti cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 12 well cupcake tin with paper liners or coat with baker’s release. Set aside.
2. Combine the flour, sugar, and baking powder and whisk to combine.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and fold them together gently. Keep folding just until no large lumps of flour remain.
5. Fold in the sprinkles.
6. Fill each cupcake tin ¾ of the way full and bake the cupcakes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean– about 15 minutes.
7. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting them (see below).

What is bakers release?

Bakers release is a combination of oil, flour, and shortening that makes releasing cakes and other baked goods almost effortless.

To make Bakers Release – it is as simple as 1,1 & 1. 

• equal parts of all-purpose flour, shortening, and cooking oil – I like to do 1 cup of each.

Mix the ingredients together – whisking well. Store in an airtight container in the pantry or refrigerator. When ready to use, dip a pastry brush into the mixture and spread it over the cake pan.

easy funfetti cupcakes

How to make cream cheese frosting

1. Using a stand or hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until smooth and creamy– about 2 minutes.
2. Add the vanilla and mix to combine.
3. On a low speed, add the confectioner’s sugar a little at a time.
4. Once all of the confectioner’s sugar has been added, turn the mixer to high speed and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy– about 2 minutes.
5. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with your choice of tip (I used a Wilton 2D) and decorate the cupcakes as desired.
6. Top with sprinkles and enjoy!
7. Store any leftover cupcakes in the refrigerator for up to two days.

What can I make with rainbow sprinkles?

• St. Patrick’s Day Hot Chocolate Bombs
• Funfetti Cake Batter Dip
• Edible Sugar Cookie Dough
• Frozen Bananas
• Lofthouse Sugar Cookies
• Cake Batter Frosting
• Birthday Sugar Cookie Bars
• Homemade Funfetti Cake
• Rainbow Cake

• all-purpose flour
• granulated sugar
• baking powder
• eggs
• vegetable oil
• buttermilk
• pure vanilla extract
• sprinkles
• cream cheese
• butter
• confectioner’s sugar
• baking tin
• mixer
• spatula
• decorating tip
• decorating bags
• cupcake liners

If you love this Easy Funfetti Cupcake recipe, you’re going to love these other treats too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

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