Need an Easter Bunny Cake to surprise your kids and family with? This one has a cute little bunny surprise inside and tastes amazing at the same time!
No matter how great my Easter dessert turns out I never make the same one twice. I just love to surprise my granddaughters with a different one each year.
There’s no greater satisfaction than to see their little faces smile and their eyes open wide in wonder. Such was the case last year with this surprise Easter bunny cake.
I got inspiration from a YouTube video on how to make a rainbow tie-dye surprise cake and I made some adjustments. I don’t have step by step photos simply because I truly believed I could get away with only one lemon cake box, but I couldn’t.
The poor bunny ears were left exposed and I had to run to the store to buy one more, as suggested in the recipe. In the midst of all that I had no time, or desire quite honestly, to take photos.
The instructions are pretty straightforward and the video does help with the visuals, so I hope you’ll give this surprise Easter bunny cake a try. The surprise shape and the colors could be anything your heart desires. Do make ahead.
How to Make Surprise Easter Bunny Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make blue velvet cake batter, according to package directions. Bake in a 9x13 baking pan for 30 minutes or follow package directions. Cool the cake in the pan completely. Remove it from the pan and level the top using a serrated knife. Lay the cake on a baking sheet and place it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Using a bunny cookie cutter, or shape of your choice, cut the bunnies out of the cake.
- Line a large loaf pan with non-stick aluminum foil leaving the sides longer than the pan (handles). My loaf pan was 9x5-inch and I left those "handles" really long. I also had to occasionally press them to keep the shape of the cake even. I'd strongly suggest you find at least a 12" loaf pan. A disposable foil pan would work fine. Grease and dust with flour.
- In a large bowl, combine both of the lemon cake mixes according to package directions. Pour a thin layer of cake mix into the loaf pan. Bake for 5-10 minutes or just enough to firm up so it can keep the bunnies from sinking to the bottom of the pan.
- Pour about a cup of the batter down the center of the cake.
- Line the bunnies on the top in a single row. Pour the remaining batter gently over bunnies. Smooth the batter.
- Bake for 70-90 minutes, rotating pan 180 degrees after 40 minutes until a skewer or cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes. Using foil handles, lift the cake out of the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. With a serrated knife cut off the dome of the cake and some of the sides, if you want a more even look. Apply frosting on the top and sides of the cake.
- Roll out fondant to 24x15-inches. Cover cake with fondant and trim off the excess. With scissors, cut off the corners and press together. Decorate the cake as you desire. Keep refrigerated.
Related Recipes:
- No-Bake Cheesecake in Kataifi Nests
- Sunny-Side-Up Cake
- Easter Bread Cheesecake
- Carrot Cake Cheesecake
- Bumblebee Chocolate Cupcakes
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Surprise Easter Bunny Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box Blue Velvet or flavor of your choice Cake Mix
- 2 boxes Lemon or flavor of your choice Cake Mix
- Eggs oil, and water according to package directions
- 1 package Vanilla Cake Frosting
- 1 package - 24 oz. pink Fondant or color of your choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make blue velvet cake batter, according to package directions. Bake in a 9x13 baking pan for 30 minutes or follow package directions. Cool the cake in pan completely. Remove it from the pan and level the top using a serrated knife. Lay the cake on a baking sheet and place it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Using a bunny cookie cutter, or shape of your choice, cut the bunnies out of the cake.
- Line a large loaf pan with non-stick aluminum foil leaving the sides longer than the pan (handles). My loaf pan was 9x5-inch and I left those "handles" really long. I also had to occasionally press them as to keep the shape of the cake even. I'd strongly suggest you find at least a 12" loaf pan. Disposable foil pan would work fine. Grease and dust with flour.
- In a large bowl, combine both of the lemon cake mixes according to package directions.
- Pour a thin layer of cake mix into the loaf pan. Bake for 5-10 minutes or just enough to firm up so it can keep the bunnies from sinking to the bottom of the pan. Pour about a cup of the batter down the center of the cake.
- Line the bunnies on the top in a single row. Pour the remaining batter gently over bunnies. Smooth the batter.
- Bake for 70-90 minutes, rotating pan 180 degrees after 40 minutes until a skewer or cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool the cake in pan for 15 minutes. Using foil handles, lift the cake out of the pan and place on a wire rack to cool completely. With a serrated knife cut off the dome of the cake and some of the sides, if you want a more even look. Apply frosting on the top and sides of the cake.
- Roll out fondant to 24x5-inches. Cover cake with fondant and trim off the excess. With scissors, cut off the corners and press together (see the end of the video provided). Decorate the cake as you desire. Keep refrigerated.
Hi Jas,
I have 2 questions about this recipe. First, what size cookie cutter did you use? Also, did you use all of the 2nd lemon cake batter or did you have some leftover? If I use a 9×5 loaf pan, I'm thinking it would be too small to hold two batches of cake batter.
Thank you in advance!
Hi, Cara! My cookie cutter is 3 1/2-inch tall, from the bottom to the highest ear tip. Of course, you can use a smaller one, but I wouldn't suggest larger than mine. In the post, I explained: "My loaf pan was 9x5-inch, and I left those "handles" really long. I also had to occasionally press them to keep the shape of the cake even. I'd strongly suggest you find at least a 12" loaf pan. A disposable foil pan would work fine". So, admittedly, it was a bit tricky to keep the cake from expanding above the pan, but you can totally use a larger pan or less cake batter (I did use it all). Just make sure that your bunny (or if you go with an egg-shaped cookie cutter) is completely covered with batter. I hope that helps. 🙂
Hello ! Spotted this beauty on Instagram and wondered how on earth would I make it.... thank you for detailed instructions !
Hello, there! I'm so happy you like it! Thanks for stopping in. 😀
I absolutely love this! It is so festive and cute!
Thank you!
This is such a fun idea! For adults too- like magic and delicious!
Thank you, Barrie! It kind of is, isn't it? 😀
This cake is super cute, Jas!!! Love it!!! Pinned to my Holidays and Yummy! boards for you and for our readers. Great ideas! Maybe one of these days I'll have some grandkids to make one. 🙂
Really fun!
Barb 🙂
Hi, Barbara! I'm really happy that you like it. Thank you and thanks for pinning. Hope your wish for grandkids comes true and not because of the cake. 🙂 Hugs
This is the cutest cake ever! Thanks for sharing at Friday Frenzy Link Party! PINNED 🙂
Thank you so much!
Love this sweet surprise cake Jas.
Thank you for sharing the recipe at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather on Shabby Art Boutique this week. I'm delighted to be featuring this recipe at tomorrow's party and pinning too!!
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Yay! I'm so happy you like it. Thanks for the feature, you made my day 😀
Your Surprise Easter Bunny Cake is adorable! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great St. Patrick’s Day and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
Awe, thank you much!
This is the cutest cake! Thanks so much for posting on Friday Frenzy! P~
Thank you!
Super duper cute!! I love this! Pinned it.
Thank you, Laura!
Such a fun idea! Thanks for sharing at the To Grandma’s House We Go DIY, Crafts, Recipes and More Wednesday Link Party! Have a great week and join us again!
As a new co-host for Merry Monday I'll be sharing on my roundup this week! Can't wait to see what you link up this week!
Thank you, Roseann! Much appreciated.
I'm stove/oven shopping now and when I get the new one I'm making this. If it's after Easter I'll find another shape, this is adorable. Thank you for sharing with us at Celebrate Your Story and have a great weekend.
How fun! Happy shopping, Sandra!
My kids would be over the moon for this! Your photos are so pretty and the cake is just adorable. Thank you for bringing this beautiful and festive cake to the party! Happy Fiesta Friday! 😀
Thank you so much, Antonia! X
What a super cute idea!
Glad you like it! 😀
That looks so fantubulously awesome Jas. I wouldn’t want to eat it though, it’s way to pretty. You must get so many compliments when you make it. Love it!!!
Oh, it's prettier when you eat it, lol. No food is too pretty to eat 😉 Thanks, Michelle! XO
Jas, you and I are so much the same. I rarely like to make the same thing twice (it's one of the reasons I've got a fun cake that took almost three years to make it to the blog - coming up soon! ) This cake is just so adorable. I don't dare share your photos with my kids because they'll insist on making one in our house!
Oh, now I'm intrigued! Can't wait to see the mystery cake 😀
This is absolutely adorable~!!! I love it! Thanks for linking to the Friday Frenzy!
Thank you, Amy! XO
How sweet, I've always imagined this would be really difficult to do but you make it sound quite easy!
Thank you, Julie! 🙂
Love that Easter cake, so pretty. Found you on Blogger's Lifestyle Link Party
Thank you much, Candy! 🙂
This cake is so adorable. I bet your granddaughters were amazed.
Their joy was priceless 😀
Oh goodness what a cute idea, my grandkids would love this, wish I were closer to make it for them.
Pinning!! Thank you for sharing on OMHG Wonderful Wdnesday Linky Party.
Hope you have a lovely week!
Thanks so much, Karren! x
What an adorable cake! I just love it!
That makes me happy, Tamy! Thanks a bunch. x
These are all so beautiful! Thanks for sharing on the What's for Dinner link up.
Thank you, Helen! Hope your weekend is going great.
I love this! Pinned and totally want to make this for Easter! Thanks for sharing at the Friday at the Fire Station link-up!
The kids loved it and us adults didn't mind it either, ha!
Good morning! Featuring this on the To Grandma's House We Go link party tomorrow. (abbottsathome.com) 🙂
Yay! You made my day, Stephanie! Thank you heaps!!!
This cake could not be more adorable! Thanks for the recipe and great instructions on how to get that cute bunny in the middle. Sharing this with my daughter because she's all about the cakes and pinning ☺
Aw, thank you, Marie! Hope she likes it too 😀
Oh I love it! You could also adapt for other occasions as well. Thanks for sharing with us at #OvertheMoon link party. I've pinned and shared.
Yes, it's totally adaptable! Thank you, Sue!
It doesn't get any cuter than this! Love it!
That means a lot, Roseann! Thank you for your kind comment! Have a blessed weekend!
Oh wow - how cute and totally impressive! I've always wondered how they get those shapes in the middle of the cakes. Now I know! Fantatic execusion on this one. It looks so professional. I'm sure the kids loved it!
Hi, Alayna! The kids did love it 🙂 Thanks for stopping in. Have a great weekend!
This is so cute! Adding to my Pinterest queue. I'd love for you to join our link up To Grandmas House We Go.
http://abbottsathome.com/2017/03/14/to-grandmas-house-we-go-link-party-27/
Hi Stephanie! Thanks for the invite, I'd love to join your party! Thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful weekend!
This cake could not get any more precious. Love that bunny inside and so easy. Love it. Stopping by from Imparting Grace.
Hugs,
Bev
Hi, Beverly! That cake was really a hit with the little ones 🙂 Wishing you a great weekend ahead!
This is absolutely adorable! Almost to cute to eat. Thanks for sharing it at the Creative Muster. PINNED
Robin | Fluster Buster
Almost. My granddaughters had a blast biting that bunny's head off, LOL. Thanks for stopping in, Robin!
What an adorable idea!! I love the multi-colored cake too!
Thank you, Ali! 🙂
This is too stinking adorable! Omgosh, I love it. Thanks for the awesome idea!
Hi, Marie! Thank you and thanks for stopping in!
So adorable! Absolutely love the hidden bunny inside and this is so easy to make too. Pinned.
Thank you, Erlene! 😀
As one of the world's foremost lovers of cake, I want this!!!!
As an American living in England, I truly miss the ability to purchase "blue cake mix". This is really cute! I hope you have an amazing Easter!
Thank you so much for stopping in, Christina! I bet they have food colors 😉 Have a "hoppy" Easter as well!
How cute is that! You are truly ambitious to make such a gorgeous cake for your family ;o) I seem to run out of time and energy to do some of the fun stuff . . . . I guess I need to slow down a bit and just play once in a while. Thanks for sharing this sweet recipe! Nina @ Vintage Mama's Cottage
Thank you, Nina! I think Easter might be the only holiday I find time to "play" and I thank the spring for it. It gives me that energy needed. Now Christmas is a complete different story, lol. Thanks for visiting and have a great week!
A dessert and a surprise all in one! Genius! Your family is super lucky! We must make this! Thanks!
Thank you, Trina and Tina, and thanks for stopping in! Have a great day 🙂
Hello fabulous! I'm stopping by to let you know that your adorable cake will be featured at our party that starts tonight at 7. Woo Hoo!!! Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you tonight so we can party again! Lou Lou Girls
Yay! Thank you, Lou Lou Girls! Have a wonderful week 😀
This seriously looks yummy, I just about jumped at my screen to eat it! Definitely a must pin 🙂 have a great day xo
Lol, thank you Jess! Hope your weekend is grand!
Too adorable to eat.
Amalia
xo
Thank you, Amalia!!! 😀
This really is pretty darned cool! Thanks for linking with us at Throwback Thursday last week and sorry I didn't get by earlier to comment!
Mollie
Thank you, Mollie! Wishing you a great weekend!
Looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & shared.
Thanks for stopping in, pinning and sharing, Theresa! Hope your weekend is wonderful.
That is beautiful! I would never have the patience to do something so detailed though. Thanks for linking up with us at The Wednesday Showcase!
Thank you so much, Joanna! 😀
What a neat idea, Jas! Such a great variation of dessert for easter. I love that there's one surprise after another as well. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Will be pinning and sharing across my social media next week!
Thank you, Maria, and have a wonderful day! 😀
So adorable!! I need to make this for our Easter dinner!
Thank you, Morgan! 🙂
Wow! you are a cake making rock star my friend! So happy to see you sharing, I pinned to my everything easter board. I think of your often my sweet friend. xo
Thank you, my sweet friend! I only squeezed in few recipes as to keep the blog from being completely idle. Hope to come back in full swing in a few months 😀 XOXO
OMG this looks too amazing too eat!!! Wow! Thanks so much for sharing at Funtastic Friday!
Thank you and thanks for hosting 🙂
This is so pretty, my kids would love this. I have pinned it for later 🙂
Thank you, Sam! Kids are very fond of it 🙂
This is so beautiful!!!! Your foods and your photography are always beautiful
Thank you so much, Pam! That means a lot 😀 Hope your day is beautiful!
You make it seem so easy!! Maybe I'll have to try it! Thanks for sharing on the "What's for Dinner" linky party!
Thank you, Helen! 🙂
Your cakes are beautiful! What talent you possess. I may try to step up to the plate and make one for Easter; my grandkids would love it! Thank you for sharing them with us.
Thank you, Teresa. I wouldn't call it talent, just determination LOL. I actually dislike baking but like to be challenged and there's nothing I'd do to make my granddaughters happy 😀
Your festive chicken looks amazing and I can't wait to try it (after lent). Thanks for stopping in!!!
This is so adorable! It looks amazing. Thanks for the great tutorial on how you made it. Thanks for ppartying with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday. Pinned and Tweeted.
Thank you Beverly and thanks for hosting! 🙂
Love this darling little cake. Shared to FB. Thanks for linking up at #HomeMattersParty
That is so sweet of you, Michelle! Thank you very much 🙂
This is adorable, and my kids would love it. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you, Leslie! Hope your week is wonderful!
Surprise Inside cakes are such fun! Your bunny cake is adorable!Using cake mix makes this doable for everyone! Pinned!
Thanks, Wendy! You are absolutely right - using cake mix is the only way I would ever make this cake. It's complex enough without baking it from scratch. Thanks for pinning 🙂
Such an adorable cake! I will have to try this soon, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thanks so much, Cara! 😀
So pretty! LOVE IT!
Thank you, Katie! 🙂
What a fabulous idea. I LOVE the blue bunny cake, and I always wondered how you did this. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Thank you, Tracey! Yeah it's a year late, but who needs an Easter recipe right after Easter, am I right? LOL Thanks for stopping in!
This cake is so much fun! Thanks for sharing it with the Thursday Blog Hop!
Thank you, Pam! Have a great weekend!
I can imagine how little eyes go wide and sparkly when they realise there is a bunny inside a cake. Beautiful surprise for anyone!
😀 You bet! Thank you for finding the time to stop in, Jasna! Hope your projects are on schedule 😉
How adorable! You are so crafty! I think this is a show stopper Easter Dessert!
Thank you, Bam! 🙂
Welcome back, Jas! I hv missed you. that cake is a beauty - too cute to eat!! X.
Hi Ann, just making sure you guys don't forget me, not fully back yet 😀 Thanks for stopping in and have a grand day!!!