There’s something magical about baking for the ones you love—especially when it involves a festive twist on a classic dessert. My strawberry shortcake valentines funfetti was born one February when I wanted to surprise my family with something extra special. You see, my kids adore sprinkles (who doesn’t?), and I thought, why not jazz up traditional strawberry shortcake with rainbow confetti? The result? Pure joy in every bite—tender vanilla cake studded with colorful sprinkles, layered with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. It’s become our go-to Valentine’s Day treat, and trust me, it’s so simple you’ll want to make it year-round!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Shortcake Valentines Funfetti
This isn’t just any strawberry shortcake—it’s a celebration in dessert form! Here’s why it’ll become your new favorite:
- Festive magic: Those rainbow sprinkles turn every slice into a Valentine’s Day party (kids go wild for the colorful confetti!)
- Quick to make: From bowl to table in under an hour—perfect for last-minute sweet surprises
- Easy to customize: Swap sprinkles for heart-shaped candies or use pink-and-red sprinkles for extra Valentine’s flair
- Crowd-pleaser: The combo of fluffy cake, juicy strawberries, and cloud-like whipped cream never fails
Honestly? I’ve seen grown-ups fight over the last slice of this strawberry shortcake valentines funfetti. It’s that good.
Ingredients for Strawberry Shortcake Valentines Funfetti
Here’s the happy little lineup you’ll need for this festive dessert. I always pull everything out first—it makes baking feel like a breeze! The measurements matter here, especially for that perfect tender crumb. Trust me, I learned the hard way when I once eyeballed the flour and ended up with a sad, dense cake (oops!).
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled—no packing!)
- 1/2 cup sugar (granulated works best here)
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder (make sure it’s fresh!)
- 1/4 tsp salt (just a pinch to balance the sweetness)
- 1/4 cup butter, softened (take it out 30 minutes early—soft, but not melty)
- 1/2 cup milk (whole milk makes it extra rich, but any works)
- 1 egg (room temperature blends better)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (the good stuff—it makes a difference)
- 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles (the jimmies kind, not nonpareils—they hold color better)
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced (wait to slice until assembly to keep them juicy)
- 1 cup whipped cream (homemade or store-bought—no judgment!)
See? Nothing fancy—just good old ingredients coming together for something spectacular. Now let’s make some magic!
How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Valentines Funfetti
Okay, let’s get baking! This strawberry shortcake valentines funfetti comes together like a dream if you follow these simple steps. I’ve made this recipe dozens of times (my family won’t let me stop), and these are all my little tricks for perfect results every time.
Mixing the Batter
First things first—preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch round cake pan really well (I use butter and a dusting of flour, but baking spray works too). Now, grab two bowls—one for dry ingredients, one for wet. It’s like a little baking dance!
In the big bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In the smaller bowl, whisk the softened butter, milk, egg, and vanilla until smooth (a few tiny butter lumps are fine—they’ll melt in the oven). Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined. Overmixing makes tough cake, and nobody wants that!
Here comes the fun part—gently fold in those rainbow sprinkles with a spatula. I do this last so they don’t bleed their colors everywhere. The batter will be thick but pourable—like a happy, sparkly cloud!
Baking and Cooling
Pour your beautiful batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Pop it in the oven and set your timer for 20 minutes. When it starts smelling like vanilla heaven, do the toothpick test—stick it in the center, and if it comes out with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter), you’re golden!
Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes—this helps it set. Then run a knife around the edges and flip it onto a wire rack to cool completely (about 30 minutes). Patience is hard when it smells this good, but trust me, assembling a warm cake is a whipped cream disaster waiting to happen!
Assembling the Shortcake
Now for the masterpiece! Use a long serrated knife to carefully slice the cooled cake in half horizontally. Spread about 2/3 of the whipped cream on the bottom layer—I like to make little swirls with the back of a spoon. Arrange most of your strawberry slices evenly over the cream (save a few pretty ones for the top).
Gently place the top cake layer over the strawberries. Pile on the remaining whipped cream—get creative with swoops and peaks! Top with the reserved strawberries and, if you’re feeling extra festive, a sprinkle of extra rainbow jimmies. The colors peeking through make every slice Instagram-worthy!
There you have it—the most joyful strawberry shortcake valentines funfetti you’ll ever make. The hardest part? Waiting to dig in!
Tips for Perfect Strawberry Shortcake Valentines Funfetti
After making this cake more times than I can count (seriously, my neighbors start asking for it in January!), I’ve picked up a few tricks to make it foolproof:
- Chill before slicing: Pop the baked cake in the fridge for 15 minutes before —it gives you cleaner layers without crumbs everywhere.
- Butter temperature matters: Too cold and it won’t cream properly; too soft and your cake gets dense. It should leave a slight indent when pressed.
- Sprinkle strategy: Save a tablespoon of sprinkles to garnish the top—they’ll stay vibrant instead of fading into the batter.
- Slice strawberries thin: Thinner slices layer better and won’t make your cake slide apart when .
- Whipped cream hack: If using store-bought, gently fold in a splash of vanilla extract to make it taste homemade.
These little touches take your strawberry shortcake valentines funfetti from “pretty good” to “where has this been all my life?” status!
Variations for Strawberry Shortcake Valentines Funfetti
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily it adapts to different tastes and diets. For gluten-free friends, swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free blend—I’ve had great results with King Arthur’s mix. Dairy-free? Use coconut oil instead of butter and chilled coconut milk whipped cream. Want extra Valentine’s vibes? Trade rainbow sprinkles for red and pink jimmies or tiny heart-shaped candies. Pro tip: For Fourth of July, use blue and red sprinkles and star-shaped strawberry slices. The possibilities are endless!
Serving and Storing Strawberry Shortcake Valentines Funfetti
This beauty is best served fresh—the whipped cream stays pillowy and the strawberries stay juicy. If you must wait (I know, it’s hard!), pop the assembled cake in the fridge for up to 2 hours before serving. Leftovers? Cover loosely with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container—they’ll keep in the fridge for 2 days (though the sprinkles may soften slightly). Pro tip: Add fresh whipped cream and berries when serving day-old cake for that just-made magic!
Strawberry Shortcake Valentines Funfetti FAQs
Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about this recipe—here are the ones that pop up most often! If you’ve got a burning question I didn’t cover, just shout in the comments.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Fresh strawberries are best for texture, but if you’re in a pinch, thaw frozen berries completely and pat them dry with paper towels first. The extra moisture can make your whipped cream slide right off otherwise!
How do I keep sprinkles from bleeding into the batter?
Use the thicker “jimmies” style sprinkles (not the tiny round ones!) and fold them in at the very end. Also, avoid overmixing—just 3-4 gentle folds with a spatula does the trick. Some color transfer is normal, but this keeps it minimal.
Can I make this cake ahead for Valentine’s Day?
Absolutely! Bake the cake layers up to 2 days in advance—just wrap them tightly in plastic once cooled. Wait to assemble with whipped cream and berries the day you’re serving for maximum freshness.
What if I don’t have a round cake pan?
No worries! An 8×8 square pan works great—just slice it into squares instead of rounds. For individual portions, try baking in a muffin tin (reduce time to 15 minutes).
Why did my cake turn out dry?
Most likely overbaking—set that timer! Also check your baking powder’s freshness (it expires faster than you think). And measure flour by spooning it into cups, not scooping directly from the bag (which packs too much in).
Nutritional Information
Just so you know what you’re diving into (because let’s be real—we’re all having seconds!), here’s the scoop per slice. These are estimates since ingredients vary, but for my strawberry shortcake valentines funfetti made exactly as written: 280 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated), 42g carbs, 1g fiber, 20g sugar, and 4g protein. Now go enjoy that sweet, sprinkle-filled goodness guilt-free—it’s Valentine’s Day after all!
Share Your Strawberry Shortcake Valentines Funfetti
Nothing makes me happier than seeing your spin on this recipe! Tag your strawberry shortcake valentines funfetti creations with #LoveAndSprinkles—I’ll be scouring Instagram for your heart-shaped strawberry slices and extra sprinkle flair. And hey, drop a comment below if you’ve got a genius tweak I should try next Valentine’s Day!
Print
Strawberry Shortcake Valentines Funfetti in 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive strawberry shortcake with funfetti sprinkles, perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup whipped cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a round cake pan.
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Add butter, milk, egg, and vanilla. Stir until smooth.
- Fold in sprinkles. Pour batter into the pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Let cool.
- Slice cake in half horizontally. Spread whipped cream and strawberries on the bottom layer.
- Place the top layer over the filling. Garnish with more whipped cream and strawberries.
Notes
- Use fresh strawberries for best flavor.
- Chill the cake before serving for easier slicing.
- Add extra sprinkles on top for decoration.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: strawberry shortcake, valentine's day, funfetti, dessert, cake