How Funfetti Cake Became A '90s Birthday Dessert Phenomenon

Wildly colorful and severely sweet, Funfetti cake blazed a whole new trail in the world of baked goods with the creation of a whole new cake flavor. No longer would sprinkles remain just a cake topping or a mere afterthought. Now, sprinkles can be an ingredient all on their own, scattered within the rich, vanilla-flavored batter of birthday cakes everywhere. Not a cake person? The best part about this rainbow-inspired concept is that it doesn't have to be limited to just cake. You can unleash your desire for aggressive colors with other treats like cookies, muffins, cupcakes, brownies, and really anything you want to bake. The sprinkles don't add any additional flavors to the mix, just a happiness-inducing splash of color. Top it with vanilla buttercream and you've got yourself a deliciously moist cause for celebration.

The flavor even inspired award-winning chef and owner of the famous Milk Bar sweet shop in New York, Christina Tosi, to feature a sprinkle-riddled, multi-tiered birthday cake and truffles on her bakery's menu. Food blogger and Funfetti baker Molly Yeh recalled, "In the 1990s, to have a successful birthday party, you had to beg your mom for Funfetti cake," (via The New York Times). It's clear that this cult cake flavor has held a special place on the palettes of cake lovers ever since it first hit the shelves decades ago. And even if you've heard it go by many names, there's only one confectionery giant who originally put the "fun" in Funfetti.

The '80s was the decade of neon. Bright, highlighter-looking colors became a huge fashion trend in the world during this time, so in 1989, The Pillsbury Company decided they had to do their part (via Fine Dining Lovers). Thus, the Funfetti cake was born.

Pillsbury's ad for the new cake flavor began with, "Want a bigger bang out of your next birthday?" The company's iconic Dough Boy mascot can be seen plugging his ears as his rather plain cake undergoes a literal explosion of color. It turned out to be a brilliant idea to infuse one of the best cake flavors out there, classic vanilla, with multicolored sprinkles galore. This delighted both children and adults as the '90s came right around the corner, eager to celebrate their big day by sinking their teeth into a sweet slice of their own. Funfetti became such a hit, that Pillsbury trademarked the name as other baked goods brands started creating their own versions of the Funfetti cake recipe. You've likely heard it referred to as "confetti cake," "rainbow cake," or even "birthday cake," which shows just how much of a party staple this flavor became.

It may send your sweet tooth into overdrive, but it's apparent that Funfetti cake's eye-catching colors can be an irresistible temptation that leaves us craving another slice when the next birthday comes around.