Gluten-Free Funfetti Birthday Cake (Printable Version)
A moist vanilla cake with rainbow sprinkles and buttercream frosting, perfect for celebrations.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend with xanthan gum (320 g)
02 - 2 tsp baking powder
03 - ½ tsp baking soda
04 - ½ tsp fine salt
→ Wet Ingredients
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
06 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (110 g)
07 - ½ cup vegetable oil (120 ml)
08 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
09 - 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
10 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature (240 ml)
→ Add-ins
11 - ½ cup gluten-free rainbow sprinkles, avoid nonpareils (80 g)
→ Frosting
12 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (225 g)
13 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted (480 g)
14 - 2–3 tbsp whole milk or dairy-free milk
15 - 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
16 - Pinch of salt
17 - Extra gluten-free sprinkles for decorating
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Beat sugar, butter, and oil together in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk to wet ingredients, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
06 - Gently fold in ½ cup rainbow sprinkles with a spatula.
07 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Smooth tops. Bake for 28–32 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
08 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Mix in vanilla, salt, and 2 tbsp milk. Add more milk if needed for spreading consistency.
10 - Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread generous layer of frosting on top. Place second layer on top and frost top and sides of cake.
11 - Decorate with extra sprinkles as desired. Slice and serve.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- Everyone asks for seconds before they even realize its gluten-free
- The oil-butter combo keeps it moist for days, unlike most GF cakes that dry out overnight
02 -
- Sifting powdered sugar prevents lumpy frosting that tears the cake surface during application
- Cooling cakes completely before frosting prevents melting and sliding layers
03 -
- Let ingredients come to room temperature for 30 minutes before starting—it makes a noticeable difference in texture
- Rotate pans halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots