{Funfetti} Homemade Frosting Recipe
This Homemade Frosting Recipe is super easy to make, and so much FUN! Funfetti Frosting can be made from scratch with a creamy vanilla frosting base.
Funfetti Frosting
Why is it that sprinkles make us happy?
Is it all the color… Or the nostalgic feelings from childhood?
No matter the reason, most of us are far more likely to reach for the cookie, doughnut, or cupcake with sprinkles on top, over any other option.
It’s a scientific fact.
I’m not sure who first decided to mix sprinkles into frosting creating the beloved “funfetti” frosting variation, but I’m so glad they did.
Funfetti frosting is FUN to make, FUN to slather over birthday cake and even more FUN to eat!
Our Best Homemade Frosting Recipe
Although I would never snub a box cake and tub of frosting, both cake and frosting really do taste better when made from scratch.
Particularly the frosting, in my humble opinion.
Store-bought frosting tends to be overly sweet, with an underlying “fake” flavor laced with shortening.
However, when you make frosting from scratch it tastes like real butter, real cream, and real vanilla… Because that’s what is in it.
You can also adjust the thickness and sweetness of the frosting with the amount of powdered sugar you add.
I like to throw a pinch of salt into my frosting to balance out the sweetness.
Versatile Homemade Vanilla Frosting
This particular vanilla frosting recipe is my base for all frosting recipes when I’m not specifically making chocolate frosting or cream cheese frosting.
It’s a simple decadent blend of butter, cream, sugar, and vanilla. Therefore you can add any type of extract you like to the frosting and it will work just the same.
Pro Tip: There are 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract in the recipe. If you plan to “mix things up” with lemon, strawberry, peppermint, or coconut extract, consider adding 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 teaspoon of another extract, instead of omitting the vanilla altogether.
Funfetti Frosting Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter – For quality control, it’s always better to start with unsalted butter and add your own salt.
- Powdered Sugar/Confectioners’ Sugar
- Heavy Cream
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Salt
- Jimmies Sprinkles – Any color. Or you can use small soft candy sprinkles for different shapes. Do not use sugar sprinkles, or anything too hard.
How To Make Frosting (Funfetti Style!)
- Whip – Make sure the butter is very soft. (Let it sit out at room temperature for 1-2 hours if needed.) Set out an electric mixer with a paddle attachment. Place the butter in the bowl of the mixer. First beat the butter to a light whipped texture.
- Beat – Add the powdered sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
- Fold – Mix in the sprinkles gently. You can use the lowest setting on your stand mixer, or fold in by hand, so as to not break the sprinkles.
Get the Full (Printable) Funfetti Homemade Frosting Recipe + Video Below. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Cake Will This Frosting Recipe Cover?
This frosting recipe will cover:
- 24 cupcakes
- 9-inch cake (with 2 layers)
- or a large sheet cake
How Long Does Homemade Frosting Last?
Cover the frosting and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze frosting for up to 3 months and then store it in the fridge to thaw.
Thaw and bring to room temperature before using.
Can I Use Any Kind Of Sprinkles in Funfetti Frosting?
It’s best to use jimmies or soft small candy sprinkles.
Sugar sprinkles will disappear into the frosting, and hard candy sprinkles make the frosting difficult to eat.
More Fabulous Frosting Recipes
- Peppermint Frosting
- Buttermilk Frosting
- Mascarpone Fluffy Frosting
- Peanut Butter Frosting
- Neapolitan Frosting
- Cherry Buttercream Frosting
Funfetti Homemade Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened (3 sticks)
- 5-6 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 4 ounces jimmies sprinkles
Instructions
- Make sure the butter is very soft. (Let is sit out at room temperature for 1-2 hours if needed.) Set out an electric mixer with a paddle attachment. Place the butter in the bowl of the mixer.
- Beat the butter on high for 2 minutes, until it's light and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
- Turn the mixer on low and add in 2 cups powdered sugar. Beat until incorporated, then add in the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Scrape the bowl again. Then turn the mixer on low and slowly add in 3-4 more cups of powdered sugar. Once incorporated, turn on high for 1 minute to beat out all the clumps.
- Turn the mixer back on low and mix in the sprinkles. Stop once they look even. If you beat the sprinkles too long, they will start to break. (Mix the sprinkles in with a spatula if your mixer does not have a very low setting.)
Used this homemade frosting for our muffins this Lenten season and it made the muffins more enjoyable and delicious. Must-try!
Thank you for sharing this homemade frosting recipe! It was so fun and easy to make, definitely saving this for future uses.
I am so glad that I can now make frosting at home now, so thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe
Will this frosting hold it’s shape if I pipe it onto cupvakes? Obviously I would use a large tip.
Hi Jan!
Yes, it sure will. Plus, you can also add a bit more powdered sugar, to create your desired consistency, if you want the frosting to be a bit more stuff.
Thank you Sommer! I am making this tomorrow for our twin grands 2nd birthday on Sunday! I am making cupcakes shaped into a 2. I’m using your birthday cake recipe & your funfetti frosting to dress it up. Their older sister’s system cannot tolerate commerical baking mixes so all cakes must be homemade. We haven’t figured out what she is sensitive to yet. Again, thank you for sharing & your quick response.
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Hiii do you know if this frosting would hold a drip? I wanted to make the cake with the frosting then put a red drip over the top.
This was really easy and elevated the boxed cake BIG time. Thanks so much!
The issue i always have is that the butter taste is overpowering any flavor added. Do you have a butter brand that isn’t going to overpower the vanilla extract? I’ve used most major brands and some store brands too. It ruins the frosting taste if it is all I can taste. Or the least flavorful butter you know of. Thanks
Hi Lisa,
You can substitute part cream cheese or even vegetable shortening to offset the flavor of butter, if you like. :)
Could you use milk instead of heavy cream?
Hi Emily,
You sure can, however, the texture won’t be quite as silky. Use a little less milk than cream. :)
This is so fun! This goes perfect on any kind of cake or cupcake! So good!
anything to get rid of the sickly sweet store brand frostings is much appreciated! I like your adding salt and the whole idea of making it from scratch so I can control sweetness, even thickness with powdered sugar as you write, thank you!
This is absolutely amazing! So easy to make!!
Can half & half be used instead of heavy whipping cream?
Hi Jennifer,
Yes, just start with a little less half & half, since it is not as thick. :)
Making this and putting it on any dessert makes it look like you really spent time on it, but it is also so simple and FUN to make!
This is so fun and delicious! My kids love it! Thank you!