Easter Bunny Cake Surprise (Printer-friendly)

Whimsical bunny-shaped cake with a surprise sprinkle center and creamy buttercream frosting.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cake

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 2 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs
07 - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk

→ Hidden Sprinkle Center

09 - 1 cup assorted sprinkles

→ Buttercream Frosting

10 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 4 cups powdered sugar
12 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
13 - 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
14 - Pink food coloring (optional)

→ Decoration

15 - Shredded coconut for bunny fur (optional)
16 - Candy eyes
17 - Pink jelly beans or pink candy for nose
18 - Marshmallows for tail and ears (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
04 - Add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
06 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
07 - Once cool, level cakes if necessary. Using a 3-inch round cutter, cut a hole in the center of one cake layer.
08 - Place the intact cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a thin layer of buttercream, then top with the cake layer with the hole.
09 - Fill the hole with sprinkles. Place cake cut-out from the hole on top to seal.
10 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and milk until fluffy and spreadable.
11 - Frost entire cake with buttercream. For bunny shape, use one round as the face and cut the other round to make ears and a bowtie. Assemble on a large board.
12 - Decorate with coconut for fur, candy eyes, pink frosting or candies for nose and ears, and marshmallows for tail if desired.
13 - Chill for 30 minutes before serving to help set the frosting and surprise center.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • A stunning centerpiece that doubles as entertainment when the hidden sprinkle center is revealed
  • Moist, tender vanilla cake with fluffy buttercream frosting
  • Adorable bunny shape that's easier to achieve than it looks
  • Customizable decorations to match your creative vision
  • Perfect make-ahead dessert for Easter gatherings
02 -
  • Use gel food coloring rather than liquid for more vivid pink tones in your frosting without thinning the consistency
  • Chill the assembled cake before decorating for easier frosting application and cleaner lines
  • Press shredded coconut onto the frosted cake while it's still soft for better adhesion
  • Make the cake layers one day ahead, wrap tightly, and refrigerate to make assembly easier
  • Keep extra sprinkles on hand—the hidden center looks best when generously filled to the brim
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