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Funfetti cake, or funfetti birthday cheesecake, is a great idea if you are comparing cake recipes for a birthday but aren’t sure which to choose. This Barbie pink funfetti cheesecake is creamy, sweet and delicious, and ideal for any birthday or even for a different special occasion such as a baby shower or Valentine’s Day. You only need 3 ingredients for the crust and 8 for the filling, making it an attractive option for newbie bakers and seasoned cooks alike.
Similar to a classic vanilla cheesecake but also boasting funfetti all the way through, this dessert is irresistible and so festive – everyone knows funfetti means fun!
Love these sweet flavors? Also try cream cheese brownies, birthday Oreo blondies, mini cone cupcakes and strawberry cheesecake rum jello shots!
Why You’ll Love It
Unusual: This vanilla cake stands out from the rest because of the colorful sprinkles. It’s unusual but no more difficult than making a basic cheesecake recipe. So choose this colorful recipe if you’re baking for someone special. Traditional birthday layer cake with baking powder, powdered sugar, buttercream frosting or cream cheese frosting, and cake flour are all very good, but sometimes it’s nice to make something delicious different, and this recipe fits the bill.
Simple: If you’re trying to decide between a birthday cake and a birthday cheesecake, pick this one. It’s really simple to make – you just prepare the crust and cake batter, then bake it in the oven.
Delicious: Who can say they don’t like a classic vanilla flavor or the fun element of funfetti? Pure vanilla extract might be a simple flavor but it really delivers here. Very few people would turn down a slice, so make this funfetti cheesecake and you’ll have a real crowd pleaser on your hands! The entire cake is likely to disappear fast. This is so delicious that leftovers are very unlikely.
Ingredients for Funfetti Cheesecake
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Graham crackers: For the crust.
Sugar: For sweetness.
Unsalted butter: Also for the cheesecake crust.
Cream cheese: Use full fat for the best flavor.
Vanilla extract: For a wonderful flavor.
Barbie pink funfetti: It’s up to you how much to add but here’s a tip: there’s no such thing as “too much funfetti” (buy it here!)
How to Make Funfetti Birthday Cake
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the funfetti cheesecake crust: Mix the crushed graham crackers and sugar, and then mix in the melted butter. Press the mixture into the base of a foil-lined cheesecake pan.
Make the Barbie cheesecake recipe filling: Beat the cream cheese and then add the sour cream, both types of sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and finally the flour, salt and half of the funfetti.
Add the filling to the crust: Pour the prepared filling into the pan on top of the crust, then put that pan in a larger pan and pour about an inch of water into the larger pan so it comes partway up the smaller pan sides.
Bake and cool the funfetti cake: Bake the cheesecake for an hour or until sides are set and the middle jiggles just a little, then turn the heat off, crack open the oven door and let it cool in there for an hour.
Chill, decorate and enjoy: When completely cool, cover the cheesecake in plastic wrap and chill overnight or for at least 6 hours, then add the remaining funfetti on top along with whipped cream, and serve.
Substitutions and Variations
Funfetti sprinkles: If you don’t want the multicolor look of funfetti, you can use regular sprinkles in your preferred colour. Try green, red and white for a Christmas funfetti cheesecake or pink and red for Valentine’s Day.
Vanilla extract: Swap the vanilla extract for almond extract if you like.
Make 2 smaller cheesecakes: You might like to use a pair of smaller cake pans rather than a single larger one.
How to Serve Homemade Funfetti Cheesecake
As a sweet treat: Funfetti cakes are best served chilled from the refrigerator along with any drink you like. Anything from a glass of milk to a pumpkin latte goes!
For a special occasion: If you’re celebrating a special occasion, how about making a Starbucks-inspired pink drink, strawberry milk or sweet tart shots?
How to Store Funfetti Cheesecake
Store: After serving, don’t leave the cake at room temperature because it’s dairy-heavy. Put it in the fridge instead. Keep leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze the funfetti cake in slices or whole for up to 3 months, but the texture is better if you thaw and enjoy it within a few weeks.
Thaw: Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and serve chilled or bring it up to room temperature first if you prefer.
Top Tips
Wrap the pan in plenty of foil: This is to stop the water bath getting into the spring form pan.
Chill the cheesecake: Make this dessert in advance, as it needs to be chilled for several hours before slicing and serving. This is so it sets properly.
Top the cheesecake just before serving: Add the whipped cream and funfetti on top just before serving, for the prettiest and freshest result.
Funfetti Birthday Cake FAQs
The word funfetti is a cross between fun and confetti. Funfetti are rainbow sprinkles which can be used in cookie dough, cake batter or cheesecake filling. To be classed as a funfetti dessert, the funfetti needs to be one of the main components of the dessert rather than just a garnish on top.
The reason for this is you are going to put the cake pan in a bigger pan and pour in water to come halfway up the sides of the smaller pan containing the cheesecake. This helps it cook evenly and helps prevent the cheesecake from cracking. But if you don’t wrap the pan with foil, some of the water will get into the cheesecake and that means a soggy crust, watery filling and disaster! So make sure you use good quality foil and several layers of it.
Funfetti Birthday Cheesecake Recipe
Funfetti Birthday Cheesecake
Equipment
- Springform Pan
Ingredients
Filling :
- 4 Blocks cream cheese
- ½ Cup sour cream
- ½ Cup brown sugar
- ½ Cup granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- ¼ Cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ Cup funfetti, rainbow sprinkles
Crust:
- 2 Cups graham crackers, crushed
- 2 to 4 Tablespoons granulated sugar, just depends how sweet you want it
- ¼ Cup butter, melted, more if not sticking together
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a spring form pan by wrapping it with several sheets of heavy duty tinfoil.
Make the Crust:
- In a medium size bowl add crushed graham crackers and sugar and mix with a whisk or fork. Add melted butter and mix, adding more melted butter if not sticking together, a tablespoon at a time.
- Pour into spring form pan and press crust into bottom of pan and up the sides about an inch (if you don’t like that much crust just do the bottom). Set aside.
Make the Filling:
- In a large bowl add cream cheese and mix until smooth and fluffy. Add sour cream, brown sugar and sugar and mix until incorporated.
- Add eggs, one at a time until well mixed in. Add vanilla and mix. Add flour, salt and half the funfetti and mix until all is incorporated.
Bake the Cheesecake:
- Pour filling over crust in spring form pan. Place pan in larger roasting pan. Place both in oven and with a spouted measuring cup pour water into roasting pan until it’s about an inch to halfway up the side of the spring form pan.
- Bake cheesecake for 1 hour or until the sides are set but the center is still jiggly.
- Turn off the oven and crack the door and let the cheesecake cool in the oven for an hour.
Cool, Slice and Serve:
- Remove cheesecake from oven and water bath and let completely cool on counter.
- When completely cooled, cover with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hours or overnight.
- Top cheesecake with the rest of the funfetti,
- Serve along with whipped cream around the edges (optional).
Notes
Chill the cheesecake: Make this dessert in advance, as it needs to be chilled for several hours before slicing and serving. This is so it sets properly.
Top the cheesecake just before serving: Add the whipped cream and funfetti on top just before serving, for the prettiest and freshest result.
Nutrition
This rich, sweet and creamy funfetti cake is perfect for any birthday party or special occasion. The simple graham cracker crust pairs wonderfully with the cream cheese and sour cream filling, and then you have colourful funfetti throughout.
Other Recipes to Try
- Funfetti Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes are a fun twist on traditional cupcakes.
- Try this delicious Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake too.
- These Disney Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Sprinkle Dip are so more-ish!
- Chocolate Strawberry Birds are so cute and delicious too.
- Add a burst of color to your day with Confetti Squares, a cheerful treat.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I love this recipe, it’s so easy and it was so fantastic! My kids loved it too!
The prettiest cake I ever did see. Love this!!
The prettiest cake and it tastes even better!!