Sprinkletti Funfetti Cake

This joyful, sprinkle-studded cake is a gorgeous gift to bring to birthday parties, and is inspired by the genius of Christina Tosi at Milk Bar in New York City. It’s soft, rich, and bursting with colour, making it perfect for celebrations big and small. With fluffy layers, a dreamy vanilla frosting, and playful cake crumbs for crunch, this recipe brings a touch of bakery magic into your kitchen.

✨ Baker’s Tips:

• Clear vanilla gives this cake that signature “boxed mix” flavour nostalgia, it can’t be switched out for vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract, it will be delicious, but won’t have the intended flavour!

• Store leftovers in the fridge, but let slices sit at room temperature before serving for the best texture.

🎉 Cake Batter

• 200g unsalted butter

• 400g white sugar

• 70g light brown sugar

• 1½ tsp salt

• 5 large eggs

• 180g buttermilk

• 100g vegetable oil

• 14g clear vanilla extract

• 400g cake flour

• 10g baking powder

• 200g rainbow sprinkles

  🥛 Milk Soak

  • 100g whole milk

🍦 Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

• 300g unsalted butter, softened

• 100g full-fat cream cheese

• 35g clear vanilla extract

• 400g icing sugar

• A pinch of salt

🍪 Birthday Cake Crumbs

• 180g cake flour

• 20g caster sugar

• 60g light brown sugar

• 50g rainbow sprinkles

• 4g baking powder

• 4g Maldon sea salt

• 80g vegetable oil

• 20g clear vanilla extract

🎉 Cake Batter

1. Prep 3 round cake tins with parchment paper.

2. In a stand mixer, beat the butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and salt together until light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl.

3. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next.

4. In a separate jug, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla.

5. With the mixer on low, slowly stream the liquid mix into the butter mixture. This should take about 3 minutes to fully emulsify. Don’t rush it!

6. In a separate bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking powder, and rainbow sprinkles. Add this to the wet mix and gently combine until smooth.

7. Divide into prepared cake tins and bake at 180°C for 30 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.

🥛 Milk Soak

Once your cake layers are baked and cooled, brush the milk soak evenly over each layer before assembling. This helps keep everything extra moist.

🍦 Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.

2. Add the vanilla, icing sugar, and salt.

3. Whip until light and creamy, for about 30 seconds, don’t overmix, otherwise your frosting will be too loose!

🍪 Birthday Cake Crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 170°C.

2. Mix together all dry ingredients in a bowl.

3. Add oil and vanilla, and mix until clusters form (like small crumbly nuggets).

4. Spread on a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway.

5. Cool completely before using.

🧁 To Assemble

1. Place your first cake layer on a serving plate or a cake board with a dot of frosting underneath the first layer to keep the cake steady.

2. Brush generously with milk soak.

3. Add a layer of frosting and a sprinkle of crumbs.

4. Repeat with remaining layers.

5. Frost the outside and decorate with more crumbs and sprinkles if desired.