I am not exaggerating when I say this cake batter frappe is basically childhood in a glass! This birthday cake drink captures that exact, nostalgic, ultra-vanilla flavor we all love—much like the vibe of my Birthday Cake Funfetti Pancakes. We all know the best part of baking a cake wasn’t actually the cake—it was the five minutes you spent “cleaning” the beaters and licking the yellow cake batter off the spoon when nobody was looking.
This Birthday Cake ‘Cake Batter’ Frappé is thick, creamy, and looks like it walked straight out of a high-end dessert boutique. I’ve tested this recipe five times to get the ratio of ice-to-cream just right, and trust me on this one: it’s the ultimate way to celebrate anything (even if it’s just a Tuesday). It stands tall alongside my Ultimate Oreo Cheesecake Frappé as a top-tier indulgence.
The Secret to That Viral Cake Batter Frappe Flavor
You might think vanilla extract is enough, but to get that authentic, boxed-cake-mix flavor, we are actually using… real cake mix! Game changer alert: using actual yellow cake mix gives us that signature vanilla-malt taste and that slightly powdery, nostalgic texture we all crave in this no bake cake batter treat.
Because raw flour can be a no-no, we are going to “heat-treat” the mix in the microwave for about 30 seconds. It’s a tiny extra step that makes this recipe totally safe and professional. After you heat it, make sure to sift it! The microwave can create little clumps, and we want this frozen cake batter latte style drink to be silky smooth.
Making an Instagram-Ready Rainbow Sprinkle Drink
The “Wow Factor” here really comes from the sprinkle-encrusted rim. It’s my go-to technique for making any viral dessert drink look worthy of a post. I love using store-bought vanilla frosting as the “glue” because it holds those heavy rainbow jimmies perfectly.
Pro-tip: Chill your glass in the freezer for about 10 minutes before you do the rim. It helps the frosting set instantly so your sprinkles don’t slide down the side of the glass while you’re blending.
Zoey’s Customizations
Once you master the base, you are going to be obsessed with the variations:
- Funfetti Extreme: Throw a teaspoon of sprinkles directly into the blender for the last 5 seconds of mixing to get “confetti” throughout the drink.
- Chocolate Version: Swap the yellow cake mix for Devil’s Food cake mix and add a squeeze of chocolate syrup.
- Boozy Birthday: If you’re making this for an adult party, a splash of cake-flavored or whipped cream vodka is a total mood.
This is my go-to when I need a little pick-me-up or want to surprise a friend. It’s fun, it’s colorful, and it’s unapologetically sweet. Your friends are going to freak out when you serve this! Now, let’s get blending! If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out my list of the best Frappes.
Birthday Cake 'Cake Batter' Frappé
Ingredients
Instructions
Place the yellow cake mix in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for 30-45 seconds, stirring halfway through, until the temperature reaches 160°F. This makes the raw flour safe to eat!
Sift the heat-treated cake mix through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any small clumps that formed during heating.
Spread the vanilla frosting onto a small plate and the rainbow sprinkles onto another. Dip the rim of a tall glass into the frosting, then into the sprinkles, pressing gently to make them stick.
In a high-speed blender, combine the ice, heavy cream, milk, sifted cake mix, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
Flash-blend on high for 20-30 seconds until the mixture is thick and creamy but still holds its frozen structure.
Pour the frappé into your prepared glass, being careful not to smudge the sprinkle rim.
Top with a sky-high swirl of whipped cream and even more sprinkles. Serve immediately with a wide-mouth straw!