Gluten-Free Funfetti Birthday Cake (Printable Format)
A moist vanilla celebration cake with rainbow sprinkles and creamy buttercream frosting, made entirely without gluten.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend with xanthan gum
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ½ teaspoon fine salt
→ Wet Ingredients
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - ½ cup vegetable oil
08 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
09 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
10 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
→ Add-ins
11 - ½ cup gluten-free rainbow sprinkles
→ Frosting
12 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 2-3 tablespoons whole milk or dairy-free milk
15 - 2 teaspoons 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 - In a medium bowl, whisk together gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat sugar, butter, and oil together until light and fluffy, approximately 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 the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined without overmixing.
06 - Gently fold in ½ cup rainbow sprinkles using a spatula.
07 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Smooth the tops.
08 - Bake for 28-32 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
09 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Mix in vanilla, salt, and 2 tablespoons milk. Add additional milk if needed for spreading consistency.
11 - Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Position second layer and frost top and sides of the cake.
12 - Decorate with extra sprinkles as desired. Slice and serve.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- This cake proves gluten-free baking can be just as celebratory and delicious as traditional recipes
- The texture is incredibly moist and tender, with that perfect funfetti crumb that brings out the inner child in everyone
02 -
- Overmixing gluten-free batter makes the cake tough, so stop as soon as the flour disappears
- The cake is done when the edges pull slightly from the pan and a tester comes out clean, not sooner
03 -
- When measuring flour, use the spoon and level method rather than scooping directly from the bag
- Rotate the pans halfway through baking for even rising