Galactic Confetti Cake

Whoa. The first time I saw this cake? I thought it came from space.
It’s bright, it’s bold, and it’s packed with colorful fun in every slice.
The sprinkles explode like tiny stars. And the soft cake? Oh, it melts in your mouth.
We made this for a birthday once—and now it’s the most-requested cake in our house.
What I love most is how fun it feels to bake. Like… we’re making magic.
And honestly? You don’t need to be a pro baker to get it right.
So if you want something playful but super tasty, this cake’s for you.
Grab your sprinkles. I’ll show you how we did it. Let’s make something galactic.

Why You’ll Love This Galactic Confetti Cake
- Eye-Catching Layers: The swirls of vibrant colors inside make each slice a surprise and a delight, like a starry sky on your plate.
- Moist and Fluffy: The cake is soft, moist, and buttery—every bite will have you coming back for more.
- Color Explosion: Thanks to the rainbow sprinkles and the fun food coloring, it’s a cake that takes dessert to a whole new level.
- Perfect for Any Celebration: From birthday parties to galactic-themed events, this cake will steal the spotlight.
- Customizable: You can adjust the colors and decorations to fit your event or preference, whether it’s a deep space vibe or a bright galaxy of pastels.
Required Kitchen Tools
Before we get into the delicious details, let’s gather everything you need to create this cosmic treat!
- Electric Mixer – A hand mixer or stand mixer will make your life so much easier while mixing the batter and frosting.
- Three Mixing Bowls – You’ll need separate bowls for the dry ingredients, wet ingredients, and for mixing the colors.
- Two 8-inch Round Cake Pans – A standard size that will give you the perfect cake layers.
- Parchment Paper – Essential for lining the cake pans to prevent sticking.
- Wire Rack – For cooling the cakes once they come out of the oven.
- Offset Spatula – Helps smooth the frosting perfectly for a professional finish.

Ingredients
Let’s start with the ingredients. This cake is a rainbow of flavors and colors, and each part of the recipe is designed to give you a perfect result.
For the Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – This forms the base of the cake and gives it structure.
- 2 cups granulated sugar – For sweetness and a soft, tender crumb.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature – Adds richness and flavor to the cake.
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil – Provides moisture and helps the cake stay soft.
- 4 large eggs – For binding the ingredients and adding structure.
- 1 cup buttermilk – This makes the cake moist and adds a slight tanginess that balances the sweetness.
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder – Helps the cake rise to the perfect fluffy texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract – Adds a warm, sweet flavor.
- 1/3 cup rainbow sprinkles – For that fun, confetti effect!
- 1/2 teaspoon each of blue, purple, and pink gel food coloring – The key to creating that beautiful, galactic swirl effect inside the cake.
- Edible glitter or shimmer dust (optional) – Because why not make this cake sparkle like the stars?
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – The base of your frosting, providing a smooth texture.
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted – Sweetens and thickens the frosting to a creamy consistency.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – Adds flavor depth.
- 4 tablespoons milk – Helps to thin the frosting to the right consistency for spreading and smoothing.
- Additional rainbow sprinkles – For decorating the outside and adding a pop of color.
Variations for Galactic Confetti Cake
While this cake is already a star in its own right, there are a few variations you can try to make it even more unique.
- Color Customization: Want a cake in your favorite colors? You can choose to use different shades of food coloring, such as neon or pastel tones, to create a unique galactic vibe.
- Different Sprinkles: You can change up the rainbow sprinkles for themed sprinkles, like star-shaped or holographic confetti.
- Add Flavor Variations: Try using flavored extracts like almond or hazelnut for a twist on the classic vanilla flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Cake Batter
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease your two 8-inch round cake pans with butter, then line the bottoms with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and salt—together. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents and prevents lumps in your batter.
In another bowl, beat the butter and oil together using an electric mixer. Add the granulated sugar and beat until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for making sure your cake has a smooth, tender crumb. It should take about 3-4 minutes on medium speed.
Next, add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. This will help emulsify the batter and make it smooth.
Add the vanilla extract, and then alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined to avoid overmixing.
2. Create the Galactic Colors
Divide the cake batter evenly into three bowls. Add a few drops of blue food coloring to one bowl, purple food coloring to the second, and pink food coloring to the third. Stir gently until the colors are fully incorporated, creating a beautiful, vibrant cake batter.
3. Layer and Swirl the Batter
Take a spoonful of each colored batter and drop them randomly into the center of the cake pans. Repeat until both pans are filled with colorful layers. Once you’ve added the batter, use a skewer or a butter knife to swirl the colors together gently. Be careful not to overdo it—just a few swirls will give you that stunning marbled effect.
4. Bake the Cake
Bake the cakes in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Prepare the Frosting
While the cakes are cooling, it’s time to prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter using an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar (sifted to avoid lumps), and mix until fluffy.
Add the vanilla extract and milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. You want it to be smooth but not too runny. Beat for 2-3 minutes until the frosting is light and airy.
6. Assemble the Cake
Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a cake stand or plate. Spread a generous amount of frosting over the top, smoothing it into an even layer with an offset spatula.
Place the second cake layer on top, pressing down gently. Cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting, smoothing it out to create a clean finish.
7. Decorate the Cake
Now, for the fun part! Sprinkle the rainbow sprinkles generously on top and along the sides of the cake for that fun confetti effect.
For added pizzazz, dust the cake with edible glitter or shimmer dust to give it a starry, cosmic feel. You can also add some additional sprinkles to the top for a more festive look.

How to Serve Galactic Confetti Cake
This cake is perfect for a variety of occasions:
- Birthday Parties: It’s a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike, especially with a space-themed or colorful birthday party.
- Celebrations: Whether it’s a graduation, baby shower, or anniversary, this cake will make the event feel extra special.
- Treat Yourself: Sometimes, you just need a cake this beautiful and tasty all for yourself! Enjoy it with a cup of coffee or tea.
Storing Galactic Confetti Cake
- Unfrosted Cake: If you’re not frosting it right away, you can wrap the cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and store them at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Frosted Cake: Store the finished cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep it in the fridge for up to a week.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unassembled cake layers (both frosted and unfrosted) for up to 3 months. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing.
Nutrition
While this cake is undeniably a treat, it’s good to be mindful of the indulgence!
Nutrient | Amount per Slice (1/12th of cake) |
---|---|
Calories | ~380 |
Carbs | ~55g |
Protein | ~3g |
Fat | ~16g |
Sugar | ~35g |
(Note: These values may vary depending on portion size and specific ingredients used.)
Conclusion
The Galactic Confetti Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. With its vibrant colors, moist texture, and buttery frosting, it’s the perfect cake to impress your guests and make any occasion truly special. Whether you make it for a birthday, a celebration, or just because, this cake will surely be the star of the show. Let the galaxy of flavor come alive in your kitchen!
Galactic Confetti Cake
Course: Uncategorized12
slices)30
minutes30
minutes~380
kcalIngredients
- Cake:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup rainbow sprinkles
1/2 teaspoon blue, purple, and pink gel food coloring
Edible glitter or shimmer dust (optional)
- Frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 tablespoons milk
Additional rainbow sprinkles for decoration
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, and alternating dry ingredients and buttermilk. Mix until combined.
- Divide batter into 3 bowls and add colors. Swirl batter into pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Beat butter and sugar for frosting. Add vanilla and milk. Frost cooled cake layers.
- Decorate with sprinkles and shimmer dust. Serve and enjoy!