Nothing beats the joy of biting into a colorful, sprinkle-filled dessert that instantly brings back childhood memories. This Funfetti cake bars recipe delivers all the happiness of birthday cake in a convenient, easy-to-make bar form that's perfect for any celebration. Whether you're planning a birthday party, need a quick dessert for a potluck, or simply want to brighten someone's day, these vibrant cake bars are your answer.
What makes this Funfetti cake bars recipe truly special is how it combines the beloved flavors of vanilla cake with the fun visual appeal of rainbow sprinkles, all while being incredibly simple to prepare. Unlike traditional layer cakes that require multiple steps and careful timing, these bars come together in one bowl and bake in a single pan. The result is a moist, fluffy dessert that's as delicious as it is Instagram-worthy, making your Funfetti cake bars recipe the star of any gathering.
Why This Funfetti Cake Bars Recipe Is a Game-Changer
The beauty of this particular approach to making cake bars lies in its simplicity without sacrificing flavor or texture. Traditional birthday cakes can be intimidating for home bakers, requiring multiple layers, frosting skills, and considerable time investment. This Funfetti cake bars recipe eliminates all those concerns while delivering the same festive spirit and delicious taste that makes funfetti desserts so beloved.
What sets these bars apart from other dessert options is their perfect balance of convenience and celebration. The colorful sprinkles aren't just for show; they add tiny bursts of vanilla flavor and a delightful texture contrast that makes each bite interesting. Plus, the bar format makes serving a crowd incredibly easy, no cake cutting skills required. This Funfetti cake bars recipe has become a go-to for busy parents, party planners, and anyone who wants to spread a little joy through baking.
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Ingredients
For the Cake Bars:
- Vanilla cake mix
- Vegetable oil
- Large eggs
- Water
- Rainbow sprinkles (jimmies work best)
- Vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- Rainbow sprinkles for topping
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare Your Baking Setup
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Lightly grease the parchment paper with cooking spray or butter.
- Set aside your rainbow sprinkles in a small bowl for easy access.
Mix the Batter
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and water.
- Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and well combined.
- Gently fold in the vanilla extract and rainbow sprinkles using a spatula.
- Be careful not to overmix, as this can cause the sprinkles to bleed color.
Bake the Bars
- Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Make the Frosting and Finish
- Cut into squares and serve.
- Beat the softened butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, beating until smooth.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars and top with additional sprinkles.
- Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Setup
Get your tools ready by lining and greasing the baking pan.
- Step 2: Mix the Batter
Mix everything until smooth and fold in the sprinkles gently.
- Step 3: Bake the Bars
Bake the batter and let the bars cool completely before frosting.
- Step 4: Make the Frosting and Finish
Frost, top with more sprinkles, and cut into squares to serve.
Expert Cooking Tips
Temperature Matters
- Always ensure your ingredients are at room temperature for the best mixing results. This helps create a smoother batter and more even texture in your finished Funfetti cake bars recipe.
Sprinkle Selection
- Choose high-quality jimmies over nonpareils for this recipe. Jimmies hold their shape and color better during baking, giving you those perfect pops of color in every bite.
Frosting Consistency
- If your frosting is too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time. If it's too thin, add more powdered sugar gradually until you reach the perfect spreading consistency.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Gluten-Free Version
- Replace the regular cake mix with a gluten-free vanilla cake mix for a celiac-friendly version of this Funfetti cake bars recipe.
Vegan Alternative
- Use a vegan cake mix, replace eggs with flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tablespoons water), and substitute plant-based milk and butter in the frosting.
Chocolate Twist
- Add ¼ cup mini chocolate chips along with the sprinkles for extra richness and texture contrast.
Lemon Funfetti
- Add 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon lemon zest to the batter for a bright, citrusy variation.
Equipment Recommendations
- The success of your Funfetti cake bars recipe depends largely on having the right tools. A 9x13 inch metal baking pan conducts heat evenly and gives you the perfect bar thickness. An electric hand mixer or stand mixer is essential for achieving the proper batter consistency and fluffy frosting texture.
- Additional helpful tools include a large mixing bowl, rubber spatula for folding in sprinkles, measuring cups and spoons, and parchment paper for easy removal. A wire cooling rack helps the bars cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Room Temperature Storage
- Store your finished bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Layer parchment paper between stacked bars to prevent sticking.
Refrigerator Storage
- For longer storage, refrigerate the bars for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Freezing Instructions
- Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving. This makes your Funfetti cake bars recipe perfect for make-ahead party planning.ll to freezing for X days/weeks/months.
Grandma's Secret That Changed Everything
The real magic behind perfect cake bars lies in a simple technique my grandmother taught me years ago. Instead of just mixing the sprinkles into the batter, she would toss them in a light coating of flour first. This prevents the sprinkles from sinking to the bottom during baking and helps them maintain their vibrant colors throughout the Funfetti cake bars recipe.
Another game-changing tip is to slightly underbake the bars by 2-3 minutes. They'll continue cooking in the hot pan after removal from the oven, but this technique ensures they stay incredibly moist and fudgy rather than dry and crumbly. This small adjustment transforms a good Funfetti cake bars recipe into an absolutely irresistible one that will have everyone asking for seconds.
FAQ
Does funfetti cake need to be refrigerated?
No, funfetti cake bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container. This Funfetti cake bars recipe uses stable ingredients that don't require refrigeration unless you're in a very hot climate.
What makes funfetti cake taste different?
The unique flavor comes from the vanilla cake base combined with the small bursts of vanilla-flavored sprinkles throughout. The sprinkles in this Funfetti cake bars recipe add both visual appeal and subtle flavor variations in each bite.
What is the history of Funfetti cake?
Funfetti cake was created by Pillsbury in 1989 as a boxed cake mix featuring colorful sprinkles. It quickly became synonymous with birthday celebrations and party desserts, making recipes like this Funfetti cake bars recipe incredibly popular.
What is another name for a Funfetti cake?
Funfetti cake is also known as confetti cake, birthday cake, or rainbow cake. Some regions call it speckled cake or sprinkle cake, but the Funfetti cake bars recipe concept remains the same regardless of the name.
Sweet Endings: More Delicious Treats to Try
After mastering this delightful Funfetti cake bars recipe, you'll want to expand your dessert repertoire with equally impressive treats. The joy of creating colorful, crowd-pleasing desserts doesn't have to end here. Consider trying our Cookie Dough Bites Recipe for another no-bake option that delivers the same fun factor with minimal effort. These bite-sized treats offer the beloved flavor of raw cookie dough in a safe, egg-free format that's perfect for parties and gatherings.
For those special occasions when you want to take your dessert game to the next level, our Mocha Ice Cream Cake Recipe is the perfect complement to your Funfetti cake bars recipe skills. This sophisticated frozen dessert blends rich coffee flavors with creamy textures, creating a grown-up twist on classic celebration cakes. When paired with the colorful charm of a Funfetti cake bars recipe, it adds contrast and variety to your dessert table without extra stress. Both the mocha cake and the Funfetti cake bars recipe share an approachable, easy-to-follow method that’s perfect for home bakers. If you’ve already mastered the Funfetti cake bars recipe, this mocha dessert is a great next step—impressive, delicious, and still simple. Together, they prove that you don’t need professional training to create crowd-pleasing treats—just a trusted Funfetti cake bars recipe and a little creativity.
Happy baking and sweet moments always-By Lisa Johnson💛
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Funfetti Cake Bars Recipe
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch metal baking pan Ensures even baking and perfect bar thickness
- 1 Parchment paper For lining the pan and easy removal of baked bars
- 1 Large mixing bowl To mix all ingredients together easily
- 1 Electric mixer For smooth batter and fluffy frosting
- 1 Rubber spatula Ideal for folding in sprinkles gently
- 1 set Measuring cups & spoons For accurate ingredient measurement
- 1 Wire cooling rack Helps bars cool evenly without getting soggy
Ingredients
Cake Bars
- 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles jimmies recommended
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper and grease it.
- In a bowl, combine cake mix, oil, eggs, and water. Beat until smooth.
- Fold in vanilla and sprinkles. Avoid overmixing.
- Pour batter into the pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 22–25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool completely.
- Beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Spread over cooled bars. Add more sprinkles.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
- Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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