This Funfetti Cheesecake is a fun fusion of creamy indulgence and childhood whimsy. A buttery, golden graham cracker crust holds a rich and smooth cream cheese filling studded with rainbow sprinkles throughout. It is a true showstopper and the perfect way to make any birthday feel a little more special.
Recipe Highlights
- Classic cheesecake texture: A water bath baking method gives you that rich, ultra smooth cheesecake texture without any cracks on top.
- Rainbow sprinkle confetti: Specks of rainbow sprinkles are folded throughout the batter, adding pops of color and a playful crunch in every bite.
- Buttery graham cracker crust: A simple press-in crust comes together in minutes and gets a quick pre-bake for extra flavor and structure.
- Perfect for birthdays: This cheesecake brings all the fun of a funfetti birthday cake into a creamy, crowd pleasing dessert.
- Make ahead friendly: Since it needs to chill for at least four hours, this is an easy dessert to prepare a day in advance.
Ingredients in Funfetti Cheesecake
Graham cracker crumbs form the base of the crust. Combined with melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon, they press into a firm, buttery crust that holds up well under the creamy filling.
Granulated sugar sweetens both the crust and the cheesecake filling.
Ground cinnamon adds a subtle warmth to the graham cracker crust.
Butter, melted, binds the crust together and helps it crisp up slightly during its pre-bake.
Cream cheese is the star of the filling and what gives this cheesecake its rich, tangy flavor. Use full fat cream cheese here, since the low fat and no fat versions contain oil that can prevent the cheesecake from setting properly. Philadelphia brand is a great option, and you will need four full bricks softened to room temperature.
Lemon juice brightens the cream cheese filling and balances out the richness.
Vanilla extract rounds out the flavor with a warm, classic note.
Eggs, at room temperature, help create that smooth, dense cheesecake texture. They should be added slowly, one at a time, and mixed on low speed to avoid incorporating too much air into the batter.
Sour cream, also at room temperature, adds extra creaminess and a slight tang to the filling.
Rainbow confetti or jimmie sprinkles are folded into the batter for that classic funfetti look and texture. Stick with confetti or jimmie style sprinkles rather than nonpareils, which are too small and tend to melt into the batter, leaving it looking murky instead of colorful.
Whipped topping and extra sprinkles finish the cheesecake for serving, giving it that fun, bakery style presentation.
Tips for the Best Funfetti Cheesecake
Find the full instructions in the recipe card below, but here are a few tips to help you get the best results.
- Bring your ingredients to room temperature before mixing. Room temperature cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream blend together into a silky, lump free batter much more easily than cold ingredients.
- Keep the mixer on low speed once you start adding eggs. Beating on a higher speed incorporates too much air into the batter, which can cause cracks to form on top as the cheesecake bakes.
- Do not skip the water bath setup. Placing a pan of hot water on the rack below the cheesecake creates gentle, even heat that helps prevent cracking, without submerging the cake itself in water.
- Keep the oven door closed while baking. Opening the door lets the steam escape, which can affect both the texture and the look of the finished cheesecake.
- Let the cheesecake cool gradually. After baking, turn off the oven and let the cheesecake sit inside with the door closed for 30 minutes, then prop the door open slightly for another 30 minutes before moving it to a cooling rack. This slow cooling process helps prevent cracks from forming on top.
- Chill the cheesecake fully before slicing. A minimum of four hours in the fridge is needed, but overnight is even better for the cleanest slices.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover funfetti cheesecake covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. To freeze, chill the cheesecake completely first. For a whole cheesecake, place it on a cake board, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap twice, then wrap it again in aluminum foil before freezing for up to three months. For individual slices, place them in an airtight container with parchment paper between the cut sides to keep them from sticking together. Thaw in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours before serving.
Funfetti Cheesecake Recipe
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup butter, melted
For the Cheesecake
- 32 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream, room temperature
- ½ cup rainbow confetti or jimmie sprinkles
- Whipped topping and extra sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Adjust your oven racks so one is on the bottom rung and one is in the middle. Line the bottom of a 10 inch springform pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, and cinnamon until crumbly but holding together when pressed.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the springform pan. Bake on the middle rack for 10 minutes, then remove and set aside. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth.
- Add the sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract and beat on medium until combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed until just incorporated after each addition.
- Add the sour cream and mix in on low speed.
- Fold in the sprinkles.
- Pour the batter into the baked crust and smooth the top. Wrap the bottom of the pan in foil.
- Pour boiling water into a 9×13 pan and place it on the bottom oven rack. Place the cheesecake on the middle rack, just above the water. Bake for 60 minutes without opening the oven door.
- Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake sit inside with the door closed for 30 minutes. Then prop the door open 3 to 4 inches and let it sit for another 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature, about 1½ hours. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Run a knife around the edge if needed, remove from the pan, and top with whipped topping and sprinkles before serving chilled.
Nutrition
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FAQs
Why did my cheesecake crack on top? Cracking usually happens when too much air gets into the batter or when the cheesecake cools too quickly. Keep your mixer on low speed once you add the eggs, use the water bath method, and let the cheesecake cool gradually in the oven before moving it to the fridge.
Can I use a 9 inch springform pan instead of a 10 inch? Yes, but you will likely need to increase the bake time by up to 20 minutes since the batter will be deeper in a smaller pan. Keep an eye on it and use a toothpick or gentle jiggle test to check for doneness.
Can I freeze funfetti cheesecake? Absolutely. Chill the cheesecake completely first, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing for up to three months. Thaw it in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours before serving.
What type of sprinkles work best? Rainbow confetti sprinkles or jimmies both work great and hold their color and shape during baking. Avoid nonpareils, since they tend to melt and bleed into the batter, leaving you with a murky color instead of distinct flecks of confetti.
Can I skip the water bath? The water bath helps create gentle, even heat that reduces the chances of cracking. We recommend it for the best texture and appearance, but if you plan to fully cover the top with whipped topping, small cracks will not show and you can skip it if needed.
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- Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies: Soft, buttery sugar cookies loaded with colorful sprinkles that bring the same fun, festive feel as this funfetti cheesecake.
- Funfetti Rice Krispie Treats: A quick, no bake treat packed with rainbow sprinkles that captures that same nostalgic funfetti flavor in just minutes.
This Funfetti Cheesecake is rich, creamy, and full of birthday party charm in every slice — make it for your next celebration and watch it disappear fast!
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