Best Confetti Cake Recipes

FLUFFY CONFETTI BIRTHDAY CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottoms and sides of two 9-inch round cake pans; dust with flour, then tap out the excess.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Beat the butter, granulated sugar and oil in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light in color and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, then beat in the vanilla until combined.
• Alternate folding the flour mixture and milk into the batter with a spatula, adding the flour in 3 additions and the milk in 2, starting and ending with the flour, until just smooth. Add the sprinkles and fold 3 or 4 times until just blended to prevent the colors from bleeding too much. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
• Bake the cakes on the same oven rack, rotating the pans about halfway if they seem to be browning unevenly, until golden on top and the centers spring back to the touch, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in the pans about 10 minutes, then turn out onto cooling racks and let cool completely.
• For the frosting: While the cakes cool, beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar. Once it's all been added, increase the speed to medium-high, and beat until white and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla until blended. Add 2 tablespoons of the milk, and beat to incorporate. Beat in the remaining milk, 1 tablespoon at a time (the frosting will be spreadable but not runny).
• To assemble: Place 1 cake layer right-side up on a cake plate or stand, and spread with 1 cup of the frosting. Top with the second cake layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Decorate the top with additional sprinkles.
• The cake layers can be made a day ahead; wrap the cooled layers in plastic and aluminum foil and store at room temperature overnight. You can also assemble and frost the cake the day before serving; let it stand at room temperature overnight, covered by a large bowl or cake dome (if your kitchen is very hot, chill the cake and let it stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour before serving).

HOMEMADE CONFETTI CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Grease a 13x9-in. baking dish. In a large bowl, cream butter, oil and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, then egg whites, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Fold in sprinkles., Transfer to prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack., For buttercream, in a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add cream, vanilla and food coloring. Beat until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Frost top of cake with frosting, and, if desired, top with additional sprinkles.

TRIPLE LAYERED CONFETTI CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter three 8-inch round cake pans. Line the pans with parchment paper, then butter the parchment. Dust with flour, tapping out the excess.
• Whisk together the all-purpose and cake flours, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the egg whites 1 at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour. Beat until just incorporated. Fold in the sprinkles.
• Divide the batter evenly among the pans and bake the cakes until golden at the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the pans to wire racks and cool 15 minutes. Turn the cakes out of the pans and return to the racks to cool completely.
• For the frosting: While the cake layers are cooling, whisk together the sugar and egg whites in a heatproof mixing bowl set over (not inside) a pan of simmering water. Whisk until the mixture is warm and the sugar is dissolved (it should feel completely smooth when rubbed between your fingers), 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.
• Whisk the egg white mixture on medium speed for 5 minutes. Increase the speed to medium high and whisk the meringue until stiff, glossy peaks form and the bottom of the mixing bowl is cool to the touch, about 7 minutes.
• Reduce the speed to medium low. Add the butter a few tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition. (If the frosting appears to separate after all of the butter has been added, simply increase the speed to medium high and beat until smooth again.) Add the vanilla and salt and continue beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Trim the tops of the cooled cake layers with a knife so they are flat. Place the bottom layer on a cake stand or platter and spread evenly with about 1 cup of the frosting. Place the second layer on top of the first. Spread evenly with about 1 cup frosting. Place the remaining layer on top of the second layer. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, using an offset spatula to create large swirls. Decorate with sprinkles as desired.

CONFETTI CAKE BATTER COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat butter, eggs and vanilla until combined. Beat in cake mix. Refrigerate, covered, 2 hours or until firm enough to roll. , Preheat oven to 350°. On a well-floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until set. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate as desired. Freeze option: Transfer dough to a resealable plastic freezer bag; freeze. To use, thaw dough in refrigerator until soft enough to roll. Prepare and bake cookies as directed; decorate as desired.

CONFETTI CAKE WITH VANILLA FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch cake pan. Line pan with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on long sides. Butter parchment, then dust with flour, tapping out excess. Whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt on low speed until well combined, about 1 minute. Continue beating while gradually adding butter until mixture is crumbly, about 3 minutes. Slowly add half of milk mixture; increase speed to medium and beat until fluffy, about 1 minute. Slowly add remaining half of milk mixture, scraping down bowl as needed. Beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds.
• Remove bowl from mixer; fold in sprinkles with a spatula. Pour batter into prepared pan; tap on work surface to release any air bubbles. Bake until golden brown and a tester inserted in center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cool completely. Remove cake from pan using parchment. Transfer to a cake plate; remove parchment. Spread frosting evenly over top, and top with large sprinkles.

CONFETTI BIRTHDAY DRIP CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 4 greased 6-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper. In a large bowl, cream butter, oil and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, then egg whites, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Fold in sprinkles., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely., For buttercream, in a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add cream and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes., For drip, in a microwave, heat cream just to a boil. Pour over baking chips; stir with a whisk until smooth. Tint as desired with food coloring. Cool slightly, stirring occasionally., To assemble cake, place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with ½ cup frosting. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with ½ cup frosting. Freeze until set, about 10 minutes. Frost top and sides with 1 cup frosting. Pour drip over top of cake, allowing some to flow over sides. Pipe remaining frosting around top edges; top with additional sprinkles. Gently press additional sprinkles into frosting on sides of cake.

RAINBOW CONFETTI ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• For the rainbow confetti angel food cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place a rack in the center of the oven.
• Place the egg whites, vanilla, 1 teaspoon water, and the cream of tartar in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or in a large bowl, using a whisk). Whip on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes (or 5 to 6 minutes by hand) until you can see the wires of the whisk leaving a slight trail in the whites.
• With the mixer still on medium, or while continuing to whip vigorously by hand, slowly add 3/4 cup (150 grams) of the sugar, a few tablespoons at a time. After adding a little sugar, let it whip into the whites for 10 seconds or so, then add more sugar, then again wait about 10 seconds. Continue this way until all the sugar is added; that should take at least 1 minute. Once all the sugar is added to the whites, whip on medium-high for 2 to 3 minutes more (5 to 6 minutes by hand), until the whites are glossy and shiny and hold a peak when you slowly lift the whisk straight up and out of them.
• Stir together the cake flour, the remaining 3/4 cup (150 grams) sugar, the sprinkles, and salt in a small bowl. Carefully sprinkle the flour mixture on top of the whites and gently and quickly fold it in. When the everything is entirely mixed in, scrape the batter into an ungreased 9-inch angel food cake pan. Use a spoon or offset spatula to even off the top of the batter.
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, rotating the cake pan midway through the baking time, until the entire top of the cake is light golden brown and the cake springs back when you press it lightly, and a cake tester inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Immediately remove the cake from the oven and turn the pan upside down. (This ensures that the cake does not deflate and compact onto itself; since the cake pan is not greased, the cake won't fall out.) Leave the cake upside down until it is entirely cooled, at least 2 hours.
• When the cake is cool, make the frosting.
• Turn the cake pan right side up. Remove the cake from the pan by first running a knife around the outer edge of the cake and then around the inner tube of the pan; pop out the removable bottom along with the cake, then run a knife along the bottom of the cake to separate it from the pan. Turn the inner tube and pan bottom upside down and remove the cake carefully and quickly, then turn the cake right side up again onto a serving plate. Frost the sides, top, and inner tube with the frosting. Use an offset spatula or knife to smooth the frosting. Use a blowtorch to carefully torch the frosting all over to create a golden brown surface. If you do not have a torch, place the frosted cake on a baking sheet under the broiler and rotate it every few minutes until the sides and top are toasted, 8 to 12 minutes total. Serve immediately, or store at room temperature and serve within 6 hours at the very longest. (The frosting will not last for more than 6 hours at room temperature, and the cake itself does not store well in the fridge.)
• For the fluffy marshmallow frosting: In a small metal or heatproof glass bowl, whisk together the sugar and egg whites to make a thick slurry. Place the bowl over a small pot of simmering water (make sure the pot is small enough that the bowl sits above the water and not directly touching it, or you may end up with scrambled egg whites) and cook, whisking occasionally, until the mixture is very hot to the touch, 6 to 8 minutes. (When you stick your finger in the mixture it should be so hot you immediately remove your finger.) It will thin out a bit as the sugar melts.
• Scrape the sugar-egg white mixture into a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whip on medium-high speed for 6 to 8 minutes, until the frosting cools, is fluffy and glossy, and looks like shaving cream. Add the vanilla and salt and whip until mixed in. Use immediately.

CONFETTI PANCAKE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs and vanilla. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the flour, and stir until combined but still somewhat lumpy. Mix in 1/4 cup of the sprinkles.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle pan over medium-high heat. When hot, lightly brush with oil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
• In batches, spoon 1/2 cup batter per pancake onto the skillet, and immediately sprinkle some of the remaining sprinkles. Cook until bubbles start to form on the surface of the pancakes, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until golden brown on the underside and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes more.
• As you go, transfer cooked pancakes to a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and keep warm in the oven.
• Heat the frosting in the microwave until just barely runny, about 40 seconds (do not overheat or the frosting will separate). Stir.
• Make a giant pancake stack, and pour the warm frosting over the top. Sprinkle with additional sprinkles. Serve immediately.

ALL MARSHMALLOW CONFETTI CAKE

Steps:

• For the yellow marshmallow "cake" layers: Coat a 9-by-13-inch cake pan with cooking spray.
• Whisk together the gelatin and 1 cup cold water in a small bowl. Let set until the gelatin absorbs the liquid.
• In a saucepan with a candy thermometer attached, combine the sugar, salt, 1/2 cup of the corn syrup and 1/2 cup water. Place over high heat and bring to a boil.
• Meanwhile, pour the remaining 1/2 cup corn syrup in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Heat the gelatin in a microwave or on the stove until melted completely. Pour into the mixing bowl with the corn syrup, turn the mixer on low and keep it stirring until the sugar syrup is ready.
• When the syrup reaches 240 degrees F, slowly pour it into the mixer bowl. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 5 minutes, then increase to medium high and beat 5 more minutes. Finally, increase to the highest speed and beat 1 to 2 more minutes. Add the butter flavor, then beat again for 1 to 2 minutes. The mixture should be opaque and tripled in volume. Add the golden yellow food coloring and beat until incorporated. Fold in the rainbow sprinkles. Pour the marshmallow into the prepared pan and let stand until set, about 2 hours.
• For the marshmallow coating: Stir together the cornstarch and powdered sugar in a bowl. Sift about 1/4 cup over a work surface.
• Turn out the marshmallow onto the coating. Sift a little more of the coating over the surface of the marshmallow and cut out two 5-inch circles using a pastry ring. Cut the leftover marshmallow into pieces, coat with more of the coating and save for snacking. Let the 2 yellow rounds dry (cure) for 4 hours.
• For the white marshmallow "frosting:" Grease a 6-by-3-inch round cake pan with cooking spray. Line the edges with a double thickness of parchment paper so that the paper extends 3 inches over the top edge of the pan (for a total height of 6 inches in the pan). Lightly coat the paper with cooking spray.
• Repeat the instructions for the yellow marshmallow exactly, except use 1 teaspoon vanilla flavor in place of the butter flavor.
• Pour some of the white marshmallow into the prepared pan, about 2 inches up the side. Press a yellow layer into the white marshmallow until the yellow and white layers are even. Top with more white marshmallow and press in the second yellow layer. Fill with the remaining white marshmallow.
• Let the marshmallow stand, uncovered, in the pan overnight. When set, pull the marshmallow out of the pan by the parchment paper and dust it with the coating.
• For the decors: Using a soft-bristle kitchen-dedicated art brush, coat the bottom half of the cake with corn syrup or piping gel. Pat rainbow sprinkles onto the sides of the cake.
• Place the buttercream in a piping bag fitted with a large French pastry tip. Pipe 1.5-inch mounds of frosting around the top edge of the cake, pulling each mound of frosting into a peak. Immediately cover with rainbow sprinkles.
• Cut the marshmallow into 4 pieces using a sharp chef's knife that has been warmed under hot water and wiped dry. Then cut each piece into 2, for a total of 8 pieces.

RAINBOW SPRINKLE CONFETTI CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For the confetti cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line three 8-inch round pans with parchment rounds, then grease with nonstick cooking spray.
• Mix together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle until fully combined. Mix chunks of butter slowly into the dry mixture with the mixer running on low speed until no large chunks of butter remain and the mixture becomes crumbly. Pour in the egg whites and mix on low until just incorporated. Mix in the buttermilk.
• Add the vanilla extract, almond extract and oil, and mix on low speed until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Fold the sprinkles into the cake batter using a rubber spatula, just until they're evenly distributed. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.
• Bake, rotating and switching the positions of the baking pans halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean, 34 to 36 minutes. Allow the pans to cool on a rack for 10 minutes, then run an offset spatula around the perimeters of the pans to separate the cakes from the pans.
• Place the cake layers in their pans in the freezer until fully cooled, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Carefully flip the pans and remove the layers from the pans.
• Use a serrated knife to level the tops of the layers. Set aside.
• For the vanilla buttercream: Meanwhile, beat the butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth, about 30 seconds. Turn the mixer to low speed and slowly add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, alternating with small splashes of cream. Continue to beat until fully mixed, then add the vanilla and salt and beat until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the desired consistency is reached. (If the frosting is too thick, add more cream 1 tablespoon at a time. If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar 1/4 cup at a time.)
• Stack the first cake layer on a greaseproof cake board, using a dab of frosting to help it stick. Add an even layer of buttercream to the top of the layer, then continue to stack and frost the layers in the same manner.
• Apply a thin coat of frosting around the sides of the cake to fully cover the cake layers. Add as little frosting as possible to the top of the cake, to make it easier to handle during the sprinkle roll. Smooth the sides using a bench scraper, then chill the cake until the frosting is firm to the touch, 10 minutes in the fridge or 5 minutes in the freezer.
• Add a second, thicker layer of frosting to the sides of the cake, and smooth using a bench scraper. Place a second cake board on top of the cake.
• Fill a baking pan with an even layer of the rainbow sprinkles, then carefully pick up the cake and roll it in the sprinkles. Place the remaining frosting in a piping bag fit with an open-star cake decorating tip, such as a Wilton 1M tip, and pipe swirls around the top of the cake.

CONFETTI CAKE-MIX COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese and softened butter with electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or until well blended; scrape side of bowl. Beat in egg and vanilla until smooth. On low speed, beat in cake mix until blended. Beat in 1/4 cup sprinkles. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Using knife, spread slightly less than 1 tablespoon frosting over top of cookie, and immediately top with sprinkles. Repeat with remaining cookies. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

CONFETTI CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease bottoms and sides of two 8-inch round cake pans with shortening or cooking spray. Make cake batter as directed on box. Pour into pans.
• Bake as directed on box for 8-inch rounds. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• On serving plate, place 1 cake, rounded side down. Spread with frosting. Top with second cake, rounded side up. Frost side and top of cake with remaining frosting. Arrange sprinkles over top of cake. Place candle in top center of cake.

LAYERED CONFETTI CELEBRATION CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Generously spray bottoms and sides of 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with baking spray with flour.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, oil and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Gently fold in 1/2 cup decors. Divide batter evenly between pans.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center. Remove from oven to cooling racks; cool in pans 5 minutes. Turn cakes out of pans onto cooling racks; cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir together 1 container frosting and 1/3 cup decors.
• When cakes are cool, level cakes with large serrated knife. Place 1 cake layer on serving plate or cake stand. Top with thin layer of frosting. Place second cake layer on top. Use remaining frosting to cover sides and top of cake.
• Cut graham crackers into pieces with large knife; place randomly on sides of cake.
• Transfer 1/2 container (2/3 cup) frosting to decorating bag fitted with large star tip. Pipe 12 rosettes around top edge of cake.
• Use small round cookie cutter to cut 12 rounds from remaining graham crackers. Place additional decors in small bowl; place remaining frosting in separate small bowl. Dunk each cracker round in frosting then dip into decors. Insert each dipped cracker upright into 1 rosette on top of cake.
• Sprinkle top of cake with additional decors. Store cake loosely covered at room temperature.

CONFETTI CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 335 degrees F. Grease one 18-by-13-inch sheet pan or two 8-inch cake pans with cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment. Spray the parchment.
• Sift the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds.
• Whisk together the melted butter, sour cream, buttermilk, oil, eggs, egg yolk, vanilla and the orange zest in a medium bowl.
• Add half of the wet ingredients to the dry and mix on low until a smooth paste forms. Stop to scrape down the bowl and paddle with your spatula. Add the remaining wet ingredients on low speed. Once combined, increase the speed to medium and beat for 1 full minute. Stir in the sprinkles.
• Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan, or if using two 8-inch cake pans, divide the batter between the two pans, about 26 ounces in each.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out with some moist crumbs adhering, 28 to 32 minutes for the 8-inch round cakes and 25 to 30 minutes for the 18-by-13-inch sheet cake. Cool in the pan or pans for 10 minutes, then turn the cake or cakes out onto a cooling rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.

MARSHMALLOW CONFETTI CAKE

Steps:

• 1. Combine butter and peanut butter and butterscotch chips in a saucepan on low to medium heat until melted.
• 2. Take off heat and cool before adding marshmallows.
• 3. Scoop mixture into ungreased 9X13 pan. Spread out evenly and press down. Refrigerate until cold and cut into squares. Keep in refrigerator or freezer for freshness.
• 4. http://thislilpiglet.net/2011/11/marshmallow-confetti-cake/

MEAN CHEF'S ALMOND CRUNCH & CHOCOLATE CONFETTI CHIFFON CAKE

Steps:

• To prepare the almond crunch topping--Heat the oven to 325°F.
• Have ready an ungreased nonstick baking sheet.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the egg white with a fork until foamy, about 30 seconds.
• Stir in the nuts until they're evenly coated.
• Sprinkle the sugar over the nuts and stir the mixture.
• Spread the nuts in a single layer onto the baking sheet.
• Bake for 5 minute.
• Stir the nuts with a wooden spoon to loosen them from the baking sheet.
• Bake until golden, another 5 to 8 minute.
• Remove the nuts from the oven and immediately stir them to loosen them from the baking sheet.
• The nuts will become crisp as they cool.
• Set aside.
• To prepare the cake--Heat the oven to 325°F.
• Have ready a 9-1/2- or 10-inch tube pan with sides at least 3-3/4 inches high.
• In a food processor, pulse the chocolate chips until some of them are finely grated and the rest have formed small crumbs.
• In a large bowl, sift together the cake flour, 1 cup of the sugar, the baking powder, and the salt.
• Make a well in the center and put in the oil, egg yolks, water, vanilla, almond extract, and Amaretto.
• Beat the mixture on medium speed until smooth and thick, at least 3 minute.
• Fold in the reserved chocolate chips.
• Set aside.
• In a large, clean bowl with clean beaters or a whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites and the cream of tartar on medium speed until the cream of tartar is dissolved and the whites are foamy.
• Increase the speed to high and beat the whites until the movement of the beaters forms lines in the mixture.
• Slowly pour in the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, about 2 Tbs.
• at a time, and beat the mixture until soft peaks form.
• With a large rubber spatula, stir about one-third of the egg whites into the yolk mixture.
• Gently fold in the remaining egg whites until no white streaks remain.
• Pour the batter into the tube pan, spreading it evenly.
• Bake until you can gently press your fingers on top of the cake and it feels firm, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Any cracks that form on the top should look dry.
• Invert the pan onto a bottle with a narrow neck and cool thoroughly, about an hour and a half.
• Use a small, sharp knife to loosen the cake from the sides of the pan and the center of the tube, if necessary.
• Remove the cake from the pan and slide it onto a serving plate.
• To make the glaze--In a small bowl, stir together the confectioners' sugar, milk, and almond extract, adding enough milk to make a smooth glaze with a thick, syrupy consistency.
• Set aside 2 Tbs.
• of the glaze.
• Spread the remaining glaze over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides of the cake and into the center hole; you may not need to use all of it.
• Cover the top of the cake with the prepared almonds.
• Drizzle the reserved glaze over the almonds.

CONFETTI CELEBRATION CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease bottoms only of two 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans (do not spray with cooking spray).
• Make cake batter as directed on box. Reserve 1 tablespoon candy sprinkles for decoration. Stir remaining sprinkles into batter. Pour into pans.
• Bake as directed on box for 8-inch or 9-inch rounds. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around sides of pans to loosen cakes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Place 1 cake layer, rounded side down, on serving plate. Spread 1/3 cup frosting over layer. Top with second layer, rounded side up. Frost side and top of cake with remaining frosting.
• Decorate top edge of cake with decorating icing in random squiggly pattern, overlapping colors. Sprinkle reserved candy sprinkles over top of cake. Store loosely covered.

RAINBOW CLOUD CONFETTI CAKE

Steps:

• Remove the cake from the pan and leave it on the parchment paper. Using the colored buttercream, spread stripes of the frosting lengthwise on the cake. Using parchment to lift and push forward, roll the cake lengthwise as tightly as possible. Once the cake is rolled, place on a large platter, seam side down. Shortly before serving, frost the cake with the whipped cream. Spread the whipped cream on generously and create swirls using a palette knife. To make the cloud-like swirls, lightly drag the palette knife through the whipped cream and gently pull up to make peaks. Decorate the platter outside of the cake with strawberry coulis and sprinkle the whole thing with confetti sprinkles. As the cake is sliced, a "rainbow" of frosting will be revealed on the inside.
• Combine the strawberries, water, sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and the strawberries are quite soft. Puree the mixture in a blender. Strain through a fine strainer and cool.

NEAPOLITAN CONFETTI CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease bottoms and sides of 3 (9-inch) round cake pans with shortening; lightly flour.
• In small bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt. In medium bowl, stir milk, vanilla, almond extract and egg whites with whisk until well blended. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add flour mixture alternately with milk mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until smooth.
• Pour one-third of the batter (about 3 1/4 cups) into 1 cake pan. In small bowl, mix one-third of batter, the strawberries and desired amount of pink food color. Pour into second cake pan. Stir melted chocolate into remaining batter. Pour into remaining cake pan.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove cakes from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• In large bowl, stir frosting and jam until blended and smooth. Mix in desired amount of pink food color until blended.
• Brush off all loose crumbs from cake layers. Place chocolate cake layer, bottom side up, on serving plate; spread with about 1 cup frosting. Top with white cake layer, bottom side down; spread with about 1 cup frosting. Top with strawberry cake layer, bottom side down. Spread very thin layer of frosting on side of cake to seal in crumbs. Spread remaining frosting on side and top of cake.
• Sprinkle work surface with powdered sugar. On work surface, knead chocolate fondant 8 to 10 times. Roll fondant to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out 3/4-inch rounds, 1-inch rounds and 1 1/4-inch rounds with assorted cutters. Place on cake. On work surface, knead pink paste food color into 3 oz of the white fondant until desired shade of pink. Roll fondant to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out 3/4-inch rounds, 1-inch rounds and 1 1/4-inch rounds. Repeat with remaining 3 oz white fondant and pink paste food color until pale pink. Cut out assorted rounds. Place on cake.

CONFETTI GRAVITY CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Coat with more cooking spray and dust with flour, shaking out the excess.
• Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 to 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine the milk and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk mixture in two batches. Beat until just combined, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Fold in the sprinkles.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans; smooth the tops. Bake until the cakes are light golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes in the pans, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting: Combine the egg whites, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, the cream of tartar and salt in a large bowl and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 4 minutes. In a medium pot fitted with a candy thermometer, heat the remaining 1 cup granulated sugar and the water over medium-high heat, undisturbed, until the thermometer registers 235 degrees F. With the mixer on medium speed, slowly drizzle the hot syrup into the egg white mixture. Increase the mixer speed to high and continue to beat until the frosting is no longer steaming, about 3 minutes. Add the butter, one piece at a time, and continue to beat until thick and smooth, about 2 more minutes. (It's OK if the frosting looks curdled -- keep beating and it will eventually smooth out.) Add the vanilla and beat until incorporated.
• Assemble the cake: Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand and spread with 1 cup of the frosting. Place the remaining cake layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the cake with a thin layer of frosting (this is the crumb coat). Refrigerate until the frosting is set, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, roll out the fondant on a confectioners' sugar-dusted surface into a long rectangle, about 2 by 7 3/4 inches. Wrap the fondant around the bent metal straw, leaving about 2 inches bare at the bottom. Pinch the seam to close, then roll the straw and fondant between your hands to smooth it out. (If using a plastic straw, insert a wooden skewer through it for stability.)
• Cover the cake with the remaining frosting in a smooth, even layer. Mark a spot on the top of the cake that's slightly off center (this is where the straw will go). Sprinkle confetti sprinkles on the cake so they radiate out from the marked spot and go down the side of the cake.
• Rub or brush a thin layer of corn syrup all over the fondant-covered straw, then roll in confetti sprinkles, pressing to adhere. Insert the straw into the cake at the marked spot, then place a small treat bag on the bent end, using a little corn syrup to stick it on, if necessary. Refrigerate until ready to serve.