Print

A moist and tender single serve funfetti-style dot cake baked in a ramekin, topped with homemade vanilla frosting and dipped in crunchy nonpareil sprinkles for a playful dotted finish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable oil)
  • 3 tablespoons (39 g) white granulated sugar
  • 1 large (32 g) egg white
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) milk (whole milk preferred)
  • 5 tablespoons (40 g) all-purpose flour (about ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon)
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Approximately 1 tablespoon sprinkles (preferably ‘jimmies’ to reduce color bleeding)
  • Butter for greasing the ramekin
  • 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (for frosting)
  • ½ cup (64 g) powdered sugar (for frosting; add more if thicker frosting desired)
  • 2 teaspoons (10 mL) milk (for frosting, whole milk preferred)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • A pinch of kosher salt (omit if using salted butter)
  • Nonpareil sprinkles to top the cake

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Generously butter a 10-oz (~4.25″ diameter) ramekin; optionally place a small round of parchment paper in the bottom for easier cake removal.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the oil and granulated sugar using a fork until smooth and partially dissolved to incorporate air for a lighter cake.
  3. Whisk in the egg white, milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and slightly bubbly.
  4. Gently fold in the flour, baking powder, and kosher salt using a rubber spatula until just combined.
  5. Carefully fold in the sprinkles so that their colors do not bleed into the batter.
  6. Spoon the batter into the prepared ramekin and smooth the top lightly.
  7. Bake for 23–27 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out with just moist crumbs; the cake top should spring back when pressed lightly.
  8. While the cake cools, prepare the frosting: mix softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar with a rubber spatula until roughly blended, then stir in milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Add more milk if needed to reach spreadable consistency. Optionally, whip with a hand mixer for a fluffier texture.
  9. Once cooled, remove the cake from the ramekin. Use a serrated knife to trim the domed top to create a flat surface, leaving about ½ inch space from the ramekin rim, then place the cake back into the ramekin.
  10. Spread the vanilla frosting evenly over the flat top of the cake, smoothing it right to the edge of the ramekin.
  11. Pour a generous layer of nonpareil sprinkles onto a small plate or shallow dish. Invert the frosted cake onto the sprinkles and gently press to adhere them to the frosting. Lift carefully to maintain the dot pattern.
  12. Enjoy your soft, moist single serve dot cake!

Notes

Do not overbake to maintain moistness; stop baking when a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs and top springs back when pressed., Use softened butter for smoother frosting; cold butter will cause lumps., Use the ‘spoon and level’ method when measuring flour to avoid packing and resulting dry cake., Jimmies sprinkles are preferred inside the batter as they bleed less color., Can substitute milk with plant-based alternatives 1:1; full-fat milk provides best richness., Egg white usage keeps cake light and perfectly sized for one ramekin; whole egg can be used but reduce liquid slightly if batter feels too loose., Sprinkles can be swapped with sanding sugar or pastel nonpareils if preferred., Recipe can be doubled to bake two ramekins or poured into muffin tins for mini cakes; adjust baking time as smaller portions bake faster., Cake can be stored at room temperature (covered) for up to 1 day, refrigerated for 4-5 days, or frozen unfrosted for up to two months., Freeze frosted cakes is not recommended as it dulls sprinkle topping; freeze unfrosted and frost after thawing., Reheat in microwave for 8-15 seconds or oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-8 minutes, allowing frosted cake to come to room temperature first if refrigerated.

Nutrition