Spring Floral Funfetti Cake Recipe

Imagine biting into a cake that feels like a sun-drenched spring day, bursting with delicate floral notes, zesty lemon brightness, and joyful bursts of colorful confetti. This Spring Floral Funfetti Cake Recipe is not just a dessert; it’s a celebration on a plate that combines moist cake layers with luscious almond mascarpone filling and tangy lemon cream cheese frosting. It’s the perfect centerpiece for any gathering where you want your guests to smile with every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of texture and flavor, from the fluffy cake layers to the rich fillings and frosting. These simple staples come together to make something truly magical that’s as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the palate.

• Cake Flour: Provides a tender crumb that is essential for a light and soft cake base.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise evenly and stay fluffy throughout baking.
• Baking Soda: Adds lift and balances the acidity from lemon juice and sour cream.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and prevents blandness.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cake while incorporating the lemon zest to infuse natural citrus aroma.
• Butter (room temperature): Brings richness and moisture to the cake.
• Oil: Adds extra tenderness and helps keep the cake moist for days.
• Sour Cream: Introduces creaminess and a slight tang that elevates the lemon flavor.
• Large Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure.
• Hot Milk: Ensures the batter mixes smoothly and helps bloom the lemon zest and almond extract aromas.
• Fresh Lemon Juice and Zest: Offer that unmistakable bright, springtime zing.
• Almond Extract: Complements the floral and lemon tones with a warm, nutty undertone.
• Dried Edible Flower Petals: Create pretty speckles of color inside the cake and add subtle floral notes.
• Almond Flour: Used in the almond mascarpone filling for a delicate, nutty texture.
• Granulated Sugar and Egg (for filling): Bring sweetness and structure to the almond filling.
• Mascarpone: Adds richness and a creamy melt-in-your-mouth feel to the filling.
• Unsalted Butter (room temperature): The foundation of the frosting, giving it a silky smooth texture.
• Cream Cheese (room temperature): Provides tang and creaminess in the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting perfectly.

How to Make Spring Floral Funfetti Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While it heats, grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans carefully; this will ensure the cakes come out with perfect edges and no sticking.

Step 2: Infuse Your Sugar with Lemon Zest

Mix the sugar and lemon zest in a small bowl and gently massage them with your hands. This releases the fragrant oils from the zest, lending intense lemon aroma that permeates every bite later on.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until well blended. Setting these aside now will help your batter come together more smoothly later.

Step 4: Cream Butter, Oil, and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use a mixer on medium speed to cream the softened butter, oil, and zesty sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving a moist, tender cake texture.

Step 5: Add Eggs and Extracts

Beat in the eggs one at a time to keep the batter stable and airy. Follow up with almond and lemon extracts plus the sour cream for depth and tang that perfectly complement the cake’s floral notes.

Step 6: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Hot Milk

Slowly mix in the dry flour mixture until just combined. Then add the hot milk carefully to create a smooth, silky batter. The warmth really helps bring the flavors alive here.

Step 7: Fold in Edible Flower Petals

Gently fold the dried edible flower petals into the batter, distributing them evenly for pretty pops of color and a hint of floral elegance.

Step 8: Bake Your Cake Layers

Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean, signaling perfect doneness. Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.

Step 9: Prepare the Almond Mascarpone Filling

Mix almond flour, sugar, one egg, and almond extract to create a filling base. Spread it on parchment paper and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until springy and golden. After cooling, crumble this filling and blend in mascarpone until creamy and dreamy.

Step 10: Make the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, gradually adding powdered sugar to create a silky frosting. Stir in fresh lemon juice and lemon extract for a refreshing finish. Chill if it becomes too soft for easy frosting.

Step 11: Assemble the Cake

Layer the cooled cake with thin frosting layers and almond mascarpone filling piped inside for delightful pockets of creaminess. Finish by frosting the outside thickly, smoothing with an offset spatula for that elegant look.

Step 12: Decorate with Flower Petals

Sprinkle extra dried or edible flower petals over the top and sides for a breathtaking, spring-inspired presentation that dazzles every guest.

How to Serve Spring Floral Funfetti Cake Recipe

Garnishes

Add fresh edible flower petals or candied lemon slices on top to enhance the floral and citrus theme visually and in flavor. A light dusting of powdered sugar can add an extra touch of sweetness and elegance.

Side Dishes

Pair this cake with a cup of lightly brewed herbal tea such as chamomile or jasmine. Fresh berries or a small bowl of whipped cream can complement the cake without overpowering its delicate flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve this cake on a rustic wooden board adorned with scattered flower petals for a garden-party vibe. You could also create mini individual servings by cutting the cake into small rounds layered in clear glass jars for a fun and trendy presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover cake wrapped tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and moist for up to four days.

Freezing

You can freeze the fully assembled cake or individual layers wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting or serving.

Reheating

If you prefer your cake slightly warm, let slices sit at room temperature to soften, then warm gently in the oven at low heat for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving to preserve texture.

FAQs

Can I use fresh flowers instead of dried edible petals?

Fresh edible flowers can be used as a garnish but may introduce too much moisture to the batter. Dried petals are preferred for baking because they keep the cake texture light and prevent sogginess.

Is this cake recipe suitable for a large crowd?

Absolutely! This recipe yields 14 servings, making it ideal for birthdays, showers, or any spring gathering where you want to impress many guests.

Can I substitute almond extract with another flavor?

You can try vanilla extract if almond is unavailable, but keep in mind that almond extract gives the cake its distinctive nutty undertone that pairs beautifully with the lemon and floral notes.

How do I know when the almond filling is baked correctly?

The almond filling should bounce back lightly when touched, and a toothpick inserted should come out clean. It will have a firm yet tender texture that blends smoothly with mascarpone.

Is this cake suitable for freezing after assembly?

Yes, but for best results, freeze the cake in an airtight container and thaw in the refrigerator gradually to keep the frosting and filling intact and fresh.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to infuse your celebrations with the charm of spring, this Spring Floral Funfetti Cake Recipe is a surefire way to delight everyone’s senses. It’s a perfect blend of lightness, flavor, and beauty that transforms an ordinary day into something memorable. Go ahead and give it a try—your taste buds will thank you for it!

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