Funfetti Cupcakes Recipe
Who doesn’t love a funfetti cupcake? These delightful treats are bursting with colorful sprinkles, making them perfect for any celebration or just a sweet treat to brighten your day. Whether it’s a birthday, a holiday gathering, or simply a Wednesday afternoon, funfetti cupcakes bring a smile to everyone’s face. In this Funfetti Cupcakes Recipe, we’ll guide you through the process of making these fluffy, flavorful cupcakes that are sure to impress your friends and family.
Why It Deserves a Spot

Funfetti cupcakes are not just any ordinary cupcake—they’re a nostalgic favorite that brings joy and whimsy to any occasion. The combination of fluffy vanilla cake and vibrant sprinkles creates a festive atmosphere that can elevate even the simplest of celebrations. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile; you can customize them with different colors of sprinkles, or even pair them with various frostings to suit your style. This recipe is straightforward and yields the most delicious cupcakes that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients at a Glance
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 cups (310g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (300g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup sprinkles (jimmies)
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (452g) powdered sugar
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Hardware & Gadgets
- Muffin tin: Essential for baking your cupcakes.
- Cupcake liners: To keep your cupcakes looking neat and pretty.
- Mixing bowls: For combining your ingredients.
- Hand or stand mixer: To achieve that perfect fluffy batter.
- Spatula: For folding in the sprinkles and scraping down the sides of the bowl.
The Method for Funfetti Cupcakes Recipe

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cupcakes bake evenly and rise beautifully.
Step 2: Prepare Your Muffin Tin
Line your muffin tin with cupcake liners. This will prevent the cupcakes from sticking and make for easy removal once they’re baked.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step is crucial as it evenly distributes the leavening agents throughout the flour.
Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Mix until well combined. Then, add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and buttermilk. Beat until smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense cupcakes.
Step 6: Fold in the Funfetti
Gently fold in the sprinkles, creating a colorful, festive batter that’s ready to shine.
Step 7: Fill the Muffin Tin
Spoon the batter into your prepared muffin tin, filling each liner about 2/3 full to allow for rising.
Step 8: Bake
Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 9: Cool
Once baked, remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 10: Make the Frosting
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined. If the frosting is too thick, add heavy whipping cream one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 11: Frost the Cupcakes
Once the cupcakes are completely cool, generously frost them with your delicious buttercream frosting. Feel free to add extra sprinkles on top for that final touch!
Holiday & Seasonal Touches

- For Christmas: Use red and green sprinkles and top with peppermint extract in the frosting.
- For Halloween: Incorporate orange and black sprinkles, and add a hint of cinnamon to the batter.
- For Birthday parties: Customize with colorful sprinkles to match the party theme!
- For Spring: Use pastel colored sprinkles and maybe even a hint of lemon zest in the batter for a refreshing touch.
Watch Outs & How to Fix
When baking your Funfetti cupcakes, keep an eye on the baking time. Ovens can vary, so check your cupcakes a few minutes before the minimum baking time to prevent overbaking. If your cupcakes do turn out a bit dry, a drizzle of simple syrup on top can help add moisture.
- If the cupcakes domed too high: Ensure not to overmix the batter.
- If they sink in the middle: Check your oven temperature with an oven thermometer.
Freezer-Friendly Notes
These Funfetti cupcakes freeze beautifully! Once cooled, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, and they will stay fresh for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them in the fridge overnight and frost them as desired.
Questions People Ask
Can I use different types of sprinkles?
Absolutely! While jimmies are the classic choice, you can experiment with nonpareils, confetti, or even chocolate sprinkles for a twist on the traditional recipe.
Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake the cupcakes a day in advance. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature until you’re ready to frost and serve.
What can I use instead of buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a substitute by mixing one cup of milk with one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before using.
Can I use a different frosting?
Of course! While buttercream is a classic choice, feel free to try cream cheese frosting, whipped cream, or even a chocolate ganache for a decadent twist.
Next Up in Your Queue
- Funfetti Cookies Recipe – A delightful cookie version to try next!
- Butter Cake With Salted Caramel Buttercream Frosting Recipe – Indulge in this rich and decadent cake.
Bring It Home
Now that you have all the steps, tips, and tricks for this Funfetti Cupcakes Recipe, it’s time to get baking! These cupcakes are sure to be a hit whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just treating yourself. Don’t forget to share your creations and enjoy the compliments that come your way! Happy baking!

Funfetti Cupcakes Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Step 1: Preheat Your Oven - Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cupcakes bake evenly and rise beautifully.
- Step 2: Prepare Your Muffin Tin - Line your muffin tin with cupcake liners. This will prevent the cupcakes from sticking and make for easy removal once they’re baked.
- Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step is crucial as it evenly distributes the leavening agents throughout the flour.
- Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients - In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Mix until well combined. Then, add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and buttermilk. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense cupcakes.
- Step 6: Fold in the Funfetti - Gently fold in the sprinkles, creating a colorful, festive batter that’s ready to shine.
- Step 7: Fill the Muffin Tin - Spoon the batter into your prepared muffin tin, filling each liner about 2/3 full to allow for rising.
- Step 8: Bake - Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Step 9: Cool - Once baked, remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 10: Make the Frosting - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined. If the frosting is too thick, add heavy whipping cream one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Step 11: Frost the Cupcakes - Once the cupcakes are completely cool, generously frost them with your delicious buttercream frosting. Feel free to add extra sprinkles on top for that final touch!
Notes
- For a fun twist, try different types of sprinkles like chocolate or nonpareils!
- These cupcakes can be made ahead; just store them in an airtight container.
- To make buttermilk, mix milk with vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes.
