Funfetti Vanilla School Cake

30 MIN PREP TIME

〰️

25 MIN BAKE TIME

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55 MIN TOTAL

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30 MIN PREP TIME 〰️ 25 MIN BAKE TIME 〰️ 55 MIN TOTAL 〰️

If you're looking to celebrate the new school year with something playful and sweet, this Funfetti Vanilla School Cake is your go-to. A nostalgic British traybake once served in lunch halls up and down the country, it’s known for its moist, vanilla-rich sponge, thick white icing, and a joyful scattering of sprinkles. It’s as cheerful as your first day back, and just as unforgettable.

This recipe is part of my Back to School Series - a collection of easy, quick and nostalgic bakes and snacks to make the new school term a little sweeter. Keep an eye out for next week’s recipe: PB&J Breakfast Muffins, perfect for those rushed morning when everyone is running behind and you need to grab a quick breakfast for the kids to eat on the go.

Why you will love this recipe:

Bright and kid-friendly: Every slice bursts with colourful sprinkles and the fragrant flavour of vanilla bean paste. It’s the perfect treat for even the fussiest of mouths.

Simple and reliable: No elaborate frosting or advanced techniques needed just a classic easy to make batter and a simple thick white icing.

Perfect for sharing: Ideal for classroom celebrations, after-school snacks, or packing in lunchboxes.

A good serving size: This recipe uses a 20x20cm rectangular tin, serving 12 tasty slices.

Ingredients:

This is a simple recipe so uses lots of ingredients that you are likely to already have in your cupboards at home, but there may be a couple of specific extras you need.

• Unsalted butter | adds richness and keeps the crumb tender.

• Caster sugar | sweetens and helps create a light, fluffy texture by trapping air during creaming.

• Medium eggs | bind the batter and add structure while contributing to the cake’s golden colour.

• Vanilla Bean Paste | infuses the sponge with warm, aromatic flavour.

• Self-raising flour | provides lift thanks to the built-in raising agents.

• Whole milk | loosens the batter for a smooth, even pour into the tin.

• Salt | just a pinch brings balance, enhancing the overall flavour

• Icing sugar | creates a smooth, thick, sweet topping that sets beautifully.

• Funfetti Sprinkles | the final colourful flourish for that classic school cake look.

FAQ’s/Troubleshooting

Q: Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! Bake it the day before, store in an airtight container, and ice it on the day you plan to serve.

Q: What if I only have plain flour?
Add 2 tsp baking powder to the flour to replicate self-raising flour.

Q: Why didn't my sprinkles stick to the icing?

Once your icing is poured and still wet add the sprinkles to make sure they stick. If you wait too long the icing will begin to set and they won’t stick well.

Q: How should this cake be stored?

Store this cake in an air tight container, at room temperature, for up to 5 days.

Q: Can I freeze school cake?
Absolutely. Freeze the cooled, un-iced sponge wrapped in tin foil for up to 3 months. Defrost and ice fresh before serving.

Expert baking tips!

Use good quality jimmies sprinkles (long rods) for baking, they hold their colour better than tiny nonpareils.

Don’t skimp on icing - part of the charm is that thick, sweet layer on top.

For neat squares use a sharp knife cleaned between cuts.

Serve with custard for the most authentic retro lunch-hall vibe.

The School Cake has stood the test of time because it’s simple, cheerful, and completely comforting. With a funfetti twist, this version feels just right for kicking off the new school year—whether you’re making it for little hands, nostalgic grown-ups, or just for yourself with a cuppa after the school run.

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Funfetti Vanilla School Cake

Servings: 12

Author: My Kitchen Drawer

Prep time: 30 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 55 Min

If you're looking to celebrate the new school year with something playful and sweet, this Funfetti Vanilla School Cake is your go-to. A nostalgic British traybake once served in lunch halls up and down the country, it’s known for its moist, vanilla-rich sponge, thick white icing, and a joyful scattering of sprinkles. It’s as cheerful as your first day back, and just as unforgettable.

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Ingredients

For the vanilla sponge cake

• 225g unsalted butter
• 225g caster sugar
• 4 medium eggs (or 3 large)
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 225g self-raising flour
• 2 tbsp whole milk

For the icing

• 250g icing sugar
• 4 tbsp milk
• 30g funfetti sprinkles, to decorate

Instructions

For the vanilla sponge cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F/160°C and grease and line a 20x20 square baking tin.
2. In a mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time, adding a spoonful of flour if the mixture starts to curdle. Add the vanilla bean paste and mix that through.
4. Gently fold in the remaining flour, then stir through the milk to loosen the batter a little
5. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin, level the surface, and bake for 20–25 min until golden and springy to the touch.
6. Leave in the tin for 10 min, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. To decorate, mix icing sugar with just enough milk to make a thick, spreadable icing.
8. Smooth over the cooled sponge then scatter with funfetti sprinkles straight away and leave to set.
9. Cut into slices and enjoy. This cake is best enjoyed same-day with a drizzle of custard but can be kept for up to 5 days if stored in an airtight container somewhere cool and dry.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

642

Fat

43 g

Carbs

63 g

Sugar

54 g

Protein

4 g

Disclaimer: The information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or diagnosis. The nutritional information may vary based on the ingredients used, their freshness, and how they are prepared.

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https://youtube.com/shorts/7BnsEWOKNfw?si=hOUbMdZLkLkVMpDa

https://mykitchensdrawer.com/recipes-blog/funfetti-vanilla-school-cake

Funfetti, School cake, vanilla cake, funfetti cake, sprinkle cake, old school cake

Dessert, Cake, snack

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mykitchendrawer on instagram and hashtag it #mykitchendrawer

Other Funfetti bakes you should try:

Chocolate Birthday Cake Cupcakes

Funfetti Brookies

I would love it if you tagged me @mykitchendrawer on Instagram if you make this recipe. It’s the biggest honour to see my recipes come to life in your kitchen and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to drop me a message or let’s chat in the comments. Happy baking!