Funfetti Frosting
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Jun 23, 2025 
This classic Funfetti Frosting is super easy to make from scratch with a creamy vanilla frosting base and LOTS of cute and colorful sprinkles!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
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. I’m not sure who first decided to mix sprinkles into frosting to create the beloved “funfetti” frosting variation, but I’m so glad they did.
Homemade Funfetti Frosting is FUN to make, FUN to slather over birthday cake and even more FUN to eat! Not only do you get to have total control over the ingredients, vanilla buttercream frosting from scratch tastes like actual real butter, real cream, and real vanilla… Because that’s what is in it.
Why You’ll Love Funfetti Frosting
- Nostalgia in every bite – This deliciously creamy Funfetti Frosting is packed with nostalgic birthday cake flavors!
- Texture – This Funfetti frosting is super spreadable and perfect for decorating cakes, cookies and cupcakes. I also love to use this frosting as a dip for wafer cookies.
- Make-ahead friendly – Make this frosting recipe in advance and keep it handy for easy cake decorating.
Use this recipe for frosting all kinds of homemade cakes, cupcakes, or any baked treats that could use a POP of color and delicious vanilla flavor!
Ingredients and Tips
- Unsalted butter – It’s always better to start with unsalted softened butter and add your own salt.
- Powdered sugar – Otherwise known as confectioner’s sugar, this will help thicken and sweeten the frosting.
- Heavy cream – You can use half and half but it won’t have quite the same richness as heavy whipping cream.
- Vanilla extract – Use a pure high quality extract for the best taste.
- Rainbow Jimmies – Use any color and type of rainbow sprinkles you like, but do not use hard crunchy sprinkle-like candies.
Recipe Variations and Dietary Swaps
- Dairy-free – Use plant-based butter and a dairy-free cream alternative.
- Sprinkle colors – If you’re making a seasonally themed cake, use dyed sprinkles or seasonal sprinkles. Think black and orange for Halloween, green and red for Christmas, or pink or blue for baby showers.
- Food coloring – Use your favorite food coloring to make a bold frosting.
- Chocolate chips – Stir in mini chocolate chips.
How To Make Funfetti Frosting
This homemade Funfetti Frosting is so easy to make and WAY better than any store-bought version! Simply use a hand mixer to combine a handful of ingredients, and you’re on your way to decorating beautiful layer cakes!
Find the full Funfetti Frosting recipe with detailed instructions and storage tips in the printable form at the bottom of the post!
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Cover the frosting and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Serving Suggestions
This stuff is so good, you might be tempted to eat it with a spoon straight from the mixing bowl! (I would not blame you one bit :))
I love to eat a scoop of frosting with graham cracker pieces, kinda like homemade Dunkaroos (remember those??) And obviously this creamy, sweet and spunky homemade funfetti cake frosting is perfect to spread onto any of these baked treats:
- BEST Homemade Vanilla Cake (seriously)
- Chocolate Cake
- Lemon Buttermilk Cake
- Cupcakes
- Strawberry Brownies
This homemade frosting will cover:
- 24 cupcakes
- 9-inch cake (with 2 layers)
- or 1 large sheet cake
Best Frosting For Funfetti Cake
Video
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.)
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Yes! Transfer the frosting to an airtight container before popping into the freezer for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge, bring to room temperature (about an hour or so), and give it a good stir before using.
If your frosting is too thick, add some cream to thin it out. If your frosting is too thin, thicken it up with some powdered sugar.
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.
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!