6. Sprinkle Explosion Cake
When in doubt, sprinkles save the day. A sprinkle-covered cake is cheerful, forgiving, and incredibly fun to make, especially if you’re decorating with kids. There’s no wrong way to do it, which makes it perfect for a first decorating project.
Frost your cake with a thin layer of buttercream, then hold the cake over a large baking sheet or piece of parchment paper. Generously sprinkle your favorite jimmies, nonpareils, sanding sugar, or confetti sprinkles all over the top and sides, letting the excess fall onto the paper below. Pat the sprinkles gently into the frosting with your hands to help them stick.
For an extra-fun look, try a “sprinkle surprise” inside: tint your cake batter in rainbow layers so each slice reveals a colorful interior. Materials include a frosted cake and plenty of sprinkles. Time required is just 15 to 20 minutes, with a very low difficulty level. This is also one of the most budget-friendly options, especially if you buy sprinkles in bulk from a discount or warehouse store.