Funfetti Birthday Cupcakes

These easy Funfetti cupcakes are a go-to for birthdays! They’re fun, colorful, and super moist. Made from scratch and they still come together in under 30 minutes! What’s not to love?

For more Funfetti recipes, try our three-layer Funfetti Birthday Cake.

Why My Recipe

Whip up these cupcakes in under 30 minutes!
Buttermilk is what makes these cupcakes ultra moist and tender.
Complete with my delicious vanilla buttercream frosting and rainbow sprinkles.

A Funfetti Birthday Cupcake with frosting and a candle stacked on top of more cupcakes.

Make birthdays less stressful with this recipe, which doesn’t keep you in the kitchen for hours. And really, it doesn’t have to be yours or anyone’s birthday to make these. The secret to making sure they are nice and soft is buttermilk. Top them off with a swirl of homemade vanilla buttercream frosting and a handful of rainbow sprinkles, and you’ve got a bakery-style treat that’s ready to put the fun in any party!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for Funfetti Birthday Cupcakes.

All-Purpose Flour: Stick with standard all-purpose for the right structure and crumb.
Salted Butter: Used for convenience and flavor, as most home cooks have it on hand. For unsalted butter, add an extra pinch of salt to the recipe. Make sure that the butter is at room temperature for best results in both the cake and the frosting.
Granulated Sugar: Stick with standard granulated sugar for best results.
Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a slight tang to balance the sweetness. Warm it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to bring it to room temperature quickly.
Eggs: Room-temperature eggs make for a fluffier cake. To warm eggs quickly, submerge them in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes.
Vanilla Extract: Opt for pure vanilla extract if possible for the best results.
Baking Powder: Helps the cupcakes rise for that fluffy, bakery-style texture.
Sprinkles: Use jimmies-style sprinkles for best results—they’re less likely to bleed color into the batter. Avoid nonpareils.

Frosting Options

As written, this recipe uses a plain vanilla buttercream. Though you can totally use whichever frosting you like! Here are some of our favorites:

Buttercream Frosting: For those who prefer a silky smooth and sweet option, buttercream frosting is ideal. It’s versatile enough to be flavored or colored and provides a classic, elegant finish to the cake.

Cream Cheese Frosting: Cream cheese frosting offers a rich, tangy flavor. Its creamy texture and decadent taste make it a favorite.

Ermine Frosting: Also known as boiled milk frosting, Ermine frosting provides a lighter alternative with a fluffy texture and a subtle sweetness.

Frosting Tips

To get that picture-perfect swirl of frosting, use a large piping tip like a Wilton 1M or 2D. Fill a piping bag and pipe in a circular motion starting from the outer edge and working inward. If you don’t have piping tools, you can use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off for a quick DIY option. Just be sure the cupcakes are fully cooled before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.

A Funfetti Birthday Cupcakes with a bite taken out of it.

Sprinkle Options

For the best results, use jimmies-style sprinkles (the little tube or stick-like sprinkles). These hold their shape and color when baked into the batter. A rainbow mix is the traditional choice, but you can feel free to mix and match to your liking, or the liking of the birthday boy or girl. However, avoid using nonpareils(the tiny round ones) or sanding sugar, when making funfetti cupcakes, as they tend to bleed and dissolve.