To make your own cake flour, spoon and level one cup of all-purpose flour and remove 2 Tbsp Recipe

If you’ve ever wished for a cake that instantly brings a smile and brightens any celebration, then you are going to love this Funfetti Layer Cake Recipe. It’s vibrant, tender, and sweet, with little bursts of colorful sprinkles baked right into every bite. And if you want to elevate the texture to that next-level fluffiness, a crucial trick is knowing how to make your own cake flour, spoon and level one cup of all-purpose flour and remove 2 Tbsp—this simple step makes all the difference in creating the perfect crumb that melts in your mouth. Once you get this down, every Funfetti cake you bake will come out light, delicate, and utterly irresistible.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making this cake is surprisingly straightforward, with essential ingredients that each play a starring role in building that perfect balance of texture, flavor, and color. From the richly creamy butter to the tangy sour cream, every element contributes to the cake’s moistness and delightful crumb.

• Cake flour: For the fluffiest cake, use cake flour prepared by learning how to make your own cake flour, spoon and level one cup of all-purpose flour and remove 2 Tbsp, then add cornstarch—this ensures a tender crumb.
• Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents work together to give the cake a nice rise and light texture.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Unsalted butter: Adds luscious richness and helps achieve a moist crumb; room temperature is best for creaming.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with structure when creamed with butter.
• Eggs: Provide structure and moisture; using room temperature eggs ensures even mixing.
• Sour cream: Keeps the cake incredibly moist while adding a subtle tanginess.
• Vanilla extract: Delivers classic warm flavor that complements the sweet vanilla buttercream perfectly.
• Whole milk: Adds moisture and richness, helping the batter come together smoothly.
• Rainbow sprinkles: The star of the show, coated lightly with a bit of flour to prevent color bleeding during baking.
• Vanilla buttercream: For frosting the layers with creamy, sweet decadence.

How to Make To make your own cake flour, spoon and level one cup of all-purpose flour and remove 2 Tbsp

Step 1: Prepare Your Cake Flour

First things first: to get that perfectly tender cake crumb, you want to make your own cake flour. Start by spooning and leveling one cup of all-purpose flour, and then remove 2 Tbsp. Add 2 Tbsp of cornstarch to replace the removed flour, then sift the mixture at least four times. This process helps reduce the protein content and aerates the flour, creating that soft texture you crave. After sifting, spoon and level again to measure the amount of cake flour you need for your recipe.

Step 2: Preheat and Prep Your Pans

Set your oven to 350°F and prepare your cake pans. Whether you have three 6-inch pans or two 8-inch ones, spray the sides with baking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper. This step ensures your layers release easily and maintain their beautiful shape once baked.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your freshly made cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This final mix will deliver even leavening and seasoning throughout the cake batter.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream your unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy—about four minutes. This adds air to the batter, helping your cake rise to fluffy heights.

Step 5: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Sour Cream

Beat in the eggs one by one, making sure each is fully incorporated before the next addition. Then add the vanilla and sour cream, mixing on high speed for one minute until silky smooth. Scrape down the bowl to keep everything evenly combined.

Step 6: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Milk

Add the dry ingredients all at once but mix on low. As the flour begins to blend in, slowly pour in the milk and continue mixing gently until the batter is just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep your cake tender.

Step 7: Fold In the Sprinkles

Coat rainbow sprinkles with a teaspoon of cake flour or all-purpose flour to keep their colors from bleeding. Gently fold them into the batter with a spatula, being careful not to break the sprinkles or overwork the batter. This is the magic bit that makes your Funfetti cake delightfully colorful throughout.

Step 8: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pans and slide them into the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The cake is done when it springs back to light touch and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in their pans for five minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.

How to Serve To make your own cake flour, spoon and level one cup of all-purpose flour and remove 2 Tbsp

Garnishes

Elevate your Funfetti Layer Cake with simple decorations like extra sprinkles on the frosting top or even edible glitter to add sparkle. Fresh berries or a drizzle of white chocolate can also complement the sweet vanilla notes and add visual appeal.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit salad, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, or even a light cup of coffee or tea. The contrasting textures and flavors balance the sweetness perfectly and make serving the cake part of a truly joyful experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Consider stacking the cake layers with vibrant layers of buttercream in between for a rainbow effect when sliced. Or serve as petite cake slices on pretty dessert plates with a dollop of whipped cream and a few sprinkles scattered around the edge to echo the fun inside.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (and trust me, that’s possible but rare), wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and keep at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps the cake moist and fresh without drying out.

Freezing

The unfrosted layers freeze beautifully. Wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil, and freeze for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.

Reheating

If you want to refresh the cake’s softness after refrigeration or freezing, let it come to room temperature and warm gently in the microwave with short bursts of 10 seconds, checking after each to avoid overheating.

FAQs

Why is cake flour better for this recipe?

Cake flour has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour, giving your cake a softer texture and finer crumb. Knowing how to make your own cake flour, spoon and level one cup of all-purpose flour and remove 2 Tbsp is a fantastic trick to replicate this at home when you don’t have cake flour on hand.

Can I use regular sprinkles instead of coated ones?

It’s best to use coated jimmie sprinkles because uncoated ones tend to bleed their color into the batter, which can turn your cake an unappetizing hue. Coating the sprinkles lightly in flour before folding them in also prevents this issue.

Why do I need to sift the flour mixture multiple times?

Sifting aerates the flour and cornstarch combination, blending them evenly and ensuring the cake flour you make is light and fine, crucial for achieving that cloud-like cake texture.

Can I substitute sour cream with something else?

You can use Greek yogurt or buttermilk as a substitute. Both provide moisture and acidity that help tenderize the batter and create a moist cake, though sour cream is traditionally preferred.

How should I store frosted cake?

Frosted cake should be stored covered in the refrigerator if not serving right away, especially due to the dairy in buttercream. Bring it to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Final Thoughts

This Funfetti Layer Cake is truly a joy to make and share, especially once you master the key step to make your own cake flour, spoon and level one cup of all-purpose flour and remove 2 Tbsp. It opens up new possibilities for baking delicate, tender cakes that wow every time. Whether it’s a birthday or just a day that needs a little extra sparkle, this recipe is sure to be a treasured favorite. So go ahead, bake it, frost it, and delight in every colorful bite!

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