🎉 Funfetti Birthday Cupcakes with Rainbow Sprinkles: Classic Party Treat

Nothing says celebration quite like a tray of Funfetti Birthday Cupcakes with Rainbow Sprinkles. These colorful, fluffy cupcakes are the ultimate party treat—soft vanilla cake, bursts of rainbow sprinkles in every bite, and a swirl of creamy buttercream frosting on top. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, graduation, or just because, these cupcakes bring instant joy.

✨ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Colorful & Fun: Rainbow sprinkles baked right into the batter make every bite a party.

• Soft & Moist Texture: Thanks to the perfect balance of butter, sugar, and buttermilk.

• Beginner-Friendly: Easy step-by-step instructions with simple tools.

• Customizable: Switch up the frosting, sprinkles, or even the cake base for endless variations.

• Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults alike can’t resist these nostalgic cupcakes.

🛠 Essential Baking Tools (Affiliate Recommendations)

To create the perfect Funfetti cupcakes, you’ll need a few reliable tools. Here are five must-haves (affiliate links to Amazon):

1. KitchenAid Stand Mixer – For creaming butter and sugar to fluffy perfection.

2. OXO Good Grips Mixing Bowls – Lightweight, non-slip bowls for mixing dry and wet ingredients.

3. USA Pan Muffin Tin – Heavy-duty, nonstick pan for evenly baked cupcakes.

4. Wilton Cupcake Liners – Bright, sturdy liners that hold shape and color.

5. OXO Good Grips Silicone Spatula – For folding sprinkles gently into the batter.

These tools make the process smoother and ensure bakery-quality results.

📝 Ingredients for Funfetti Birthday Cupcakes

Here’s the full ingredient list with brand recommendations for best results:

Cupcake Batter

• 1 ½ cups King Arthur All-Purpose Flour

• 1 ½ tsp Clabber Girl Baking Powder

• ¼ tsp Morton Fine Salt

• ½ cup Land O’Lakes Unsalted Butter, softened

• 1 cup Domino Granulated Sugar

• 2 large Eggland’s Best Eggs, room temperature

• 2 tsp Nielsen-Massey Pure Vanilla Extract

• ½ cup Daisy Sour Cream or buttermilk

• ½ cup Horizon Organic Whole Milk

• ½ cup Wilton Rainbow Jimmies Sprinkles (avoid nonpareils—they bleed color)

Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup Land O’Lakes Unsalted Butter, softened

• 3 cups Domino Powdered Sugar, sifted

• 2–3 tbsp Horizon Heavy Cream

• 2 tsp Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Extract

• Pinch of salt

• Extra rainbow sprinkles for topping

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep (10 minutes)

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients (5 minutes)

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugar (5 minutes)

• In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).

Step 4: Add Eggs & Vanilla (3 minutes)

• Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.

Step 5: Combine Wet & Dry (5 minutes)

• Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk/sour cream mixture, beginning and ending with dry.

• Mix until just combined—don’t overmix.

Step 6: Fold in Sprinkles (2 minutes)

• Gently fold sprinkles into the batter with a spatula.

Step 7: Bake (18–20 minutes)

• Divide batter evenly into liners (about ¾ full).

• Bake until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Cool completely before frosting.

Step 8: Make Frosting (10 minutes)

• Beat butter until creamy.

• Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with cream.

• Add vanilla and salt. Beat until fluffy.

Step 9: Frost & Decorate (10 minutes)

• Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes.

• Top generously with rainbow sprinkles.

🥗 Nutritional Breakdown (per cupcake, unfrosted)

• Calories: ~210

• Fat: 9g

• Carbohydrates: 30g

• Protein: 3g

• Sugar: 18g

(Frosting adds ~120 calories per cupcake.)

💡 Expert Baking Tips

• Use Jimmies, Not Nonpareils: Nonpareils bleed color into the batter.

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensures smooth mixing and even baking.

• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing makes cupcakes dense.

• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Warm cupcakes will melt buttercream.

• Pipe with a Star Tip: For bakery-style swirls.

🎨 Creative Variations

1. Chocolate Funfetti Cupcakes – Swap ¼ cup flour for cocoa powder.

2. Lemon Funfetti Cupcakes – Add 1 tbsp lemon zest and 1 tsp lemon extract.

3. Confetti Cookie Cupcakes – Add crushed golden Oreos to the batter for extra crunch.

🌟 What Makes These Cupcakes Unique

Unlike store-bought mixes, these cupcakes are made from scratch with real butter, pure vanilla, and high-quality sprinkles. The texture is soft yet sturdy enough to hold a swirl of frosting, and the flavor is rich without being overly sweet. They’re nostalgic yet elevated—a true classic party treat.

🧊 Storage & Serving Suggestions

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

• Refrigerator: Lasts up to 5 days (bring to room temp before serving).

• Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months. Thaw, then frost fresh.

• Serving Idea: Arrange on a tiered cupcake stand with candles for birthdays.

❓ FAQ

Q: Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time? Yes! Bake and freeze unfrosted cupcakes, then frost the day of serving.

Q: Can I use a box mix? You can, but homemade gives a richer flavor and fluffier texture.

Q: What sprinkles work best? Use rainbow jimmies—nonpareils will bleed color.

Q: Can I double the recipe? Absolutely! Just bake in batches for even results.

🎯 Final Thoughts

These Funfetti Birthday Cupcakes with Rainbow Sprinkles are more than just dessert—they’re a celebration in every bite. With their soft vanilla crumb, colorful sprinkles, and creamy frosting, they’re guaranteed to light up any party.

👉 Ready to bake joy into your next celebration? Grab your sprinkles, preheat that oven, and let’s make some magic. Don’t forget to share your creations on social media with #FunfettiCupcakes!

⚖️ Affiliate Disclaimer

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting this blog!

📖 Recipe Card

🎉 Funfetti Birthday Cupcakes with Rainbow Sprinkles

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients:

- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

- 1 ½ tsp baking powder

- ¼ tsp salt

- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

- 1 cup sugar

- 2 eggs

- 2 tsp vanilla extract

- ½ cup sour cream or buttermilk

- ½ cup whole milk

- ½ cup rainbow jimmies sprinkles

Frosting:

- 1 cup butter, softened

- 3 cups powdered sugar

- 2–3 tbsp heavy cream

- 2 tsp vanilla extract

- Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin tin with liners.

2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla.

4. Alternate adding dry mix and milk/sour cream.

5. Fold in sprinkles.

6. Bake 18–20 minutes. Cool completely.

7. Beat frosting ingredients until fluffy.

8. Pipe frosting and top with sprinkles.

Enjoy your party-perfect Funfetti cupcakes!