Strawberry Funfetti Cake Buttercream (Printable)
Vibrant strawberry cake with rainbow sprinkles and sweet strawberry buttercream frosting
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Strawberry Funfetti Cake
01 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1⅔ cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
08 - ⅔ cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
09 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
10 - ½ cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies-type)
→ For the Strawberry Buttercream
11 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
12 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - ¼ cup strawberry puree (blended and strained fresh strawberries)
14 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
15 - Pinch of salt
16 - 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream (if needed for consistency)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
05 - With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
06 - Gently fold in the chopped strawberries, then the sprinkles, being careful not to over-mix to prevent color bleeding.
07 - Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
08 - Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
09 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks and cool completely.
10 - Beat butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes.
11 - Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low. Add the strawberry puree, vanilla, salt, and beat until smooth and fluffy. Add milk a tablespoon at a time if frosting is too thick.
12 - Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with a layer of strawberry buttercream. Top with second cake layer and frost the top and sides with remaining buttercream.
13 - Decorate with extra sprinkles if desired. Slice and serve immediately or store as directed.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of fresh strawberries and vanilla buttercream tastes like childhood birthday parties but elevated
- Rainbow sprinkles folded into the batter create those gorgeous flecks of color that make everyone smile before they even take a bite
02 -
- Overmixing the sprinkles into the batter will cause them to bleed and create gray streaks instead of colorful flecks
- The strawberry puree must be well strained before adding to the buttercream or you will get a grainy texture
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients combine more easily and create a finer crumb, so do not rush this step
- Add a drop of pink food gel to the buttercream if you want a more vibrant color that photographs beautifully