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  • ร—
    Home ยป Recipes ยป Desserts (Baked) ยป Easter Cake with a Surprise Inside (a box mix hack)

    LAST UPDATED: November 4, 2022 โ€ข FIRST PUBLISHED: April 9, 2019 By Toni Dash 49 Comments

    Easter Cake with a Surprise Inside (a box mix hack)

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Pinata Easter Cake title image

    Easter Cake with a surprise inside is super easy to make and people will be mystified how you did it! It’s a box mix hack so any type of cake can be used (regular, gluten-free, allergy-friendly, etc)!

    Pinata Easter Cake title image
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    Pinata Easter Cake title image

    A fun cake makes any day festive and creating an Easter Cake with a little bit of whimsy is perfect this time of year.

    My goal for the cake today was:

    •  It’s easy
    • Anyone of any skill level can make it
    • Flexible for people’s preferences or dietary needs,
    • Would not require hours in the kitchen, and
    • Would not have to be perfect (I don’t do ‘perfect’ so well with fussy baked goods).

    I think you’ll agree this meets those objectives.

    Jump to:
    • What is a Pinata Cake?
    • Recipe Ingredient Notes
    • Easter Cake Top โ€“ Decorating Ideas
    • TIP for Adding a Large Chocolate Bunny
    • How to Make this Easter Cake โ€“ Step by Step
    • Expert Tips
    • More recipes youโ€™ll love!
    • Recipe
    Easter Egg Pinata Cake (a box mix hack) with candy spilling out

    What is a Pinata Cake?

    I always personally love an unexpected surprise and pinata cakes are perfect for that.

    A normal looking cake on the outside but when cut into reveals a cache of candy!

    I was hooked after making one for Halloween a few years ago.

    making a pinata cake with hole in top layer with candy in middle

    Recipe Ingredient Notes

    My goal was to make this Easter Cake really, really easy and a complete surprise at the same time.

    All the ingredients are readily available in grocery stores and you can adjust to your preferences!

    • Box Cake Mix (I used Funfetti) with other ingredients specified for the mix
    • Prepared Frosting (I used Strawberry inside and green Vanilla on the outside)
    • Easter candy
    • Outside decoration (your choice):
      • Edible grass
      • Green dyed coconut
      • Hollow Chocolate Bunny
    edible grass on top of pinata cake

    Easter Cake Top – Decorating Ideas

    The top of the Easter Cake can be decorated in any way you find fun.

    Here are some ideas:

    • I found some edible grass that I loved and put that on the top
      • TIP: this is great if your cake is not totally level; no one will ever know.
    • You could use more candy, or
    • Cut up thin green licorice ropes (cut them into thin strips if a thin variety is unavailable), or
    • Candy straws (the sugared sour candy in thin strings) for faux grass.
    • Color shredded coconut green (how to in this Easter Muddy Buddies recipe)
    • I also fell in love with this pink hollow chocolate foil bunny and decided it would be the perfect finishing touch.

    TIP for Adding a Large Chocolate Bunny

    Small solid chocolate foil-covered bunnies could sit on top of the cake by themselves.

    To place a large chocolate bunny (hollow) on the top of the cake as shown in the photos, I inserted toothpicks into the bottom of the bunny to stabilize it on top of the cake.

    Chocolate Foil Bunny placement for Easter Cake

    How to Make this Easter Cake – Step by Step

    The steps for making this Easter Cake are really easy. Anyone can do it!

    STEP 1. Bake cake layers

    Prepare (bake and cool) the cake mixes to make 8-inch or 9-inch layer cakes (2 per mix). Note: cake layers may be wrapped in plastic wrap and chilled before proceeding for easier cutting and frosting.

    STEP 2. Cut hole in one layer

    Cut a 3 ½ inch hole in the center of one layer of the cake TIP: I used the rim of a large glass as a guide. (photo 1)

    Easter Cake (candy filled) recipe process steps collage 1

    STEP 3. Assemble

    Place the layer with a hole on top of a second layer aligning the sides to have the layers directly underneath each other. Cut a hole in the second cake. (photo 2 & 3)

    Place an uncut layer of cake on a serving plate or cake cardboard.

    Spread a layer of frosting on the bottom side of one of the cut layers of cake (photo 4) and place it on top of the bottom layer. (photo 5)

    Repeat with the second cut layer, aligning it so the holes are directly above each other.

    Easter Cake (candy filled) recipe process steps collage 2

    STEP 4. Fill and finish

    Fill the hole with the assorted Easter candy. (photo 6)

    Spread a layer of frosting on top of the third layer (photo 7) and place the last (uncut) layer on top.

    Frost the outside of the cake and decorate the top. (photo 8)

    Chill fully for the best slicing.

    Easter cake with edible grass and chocolate foil bunny

    Expert Tips

    There are some simple tips that make this Easter Cake perfect every time!

    • Letting the cake layers fully chill and the cake fully chill helps with clean cutting of the holes, slices and for frosting.
      • How To: wrap cake layers in plastic wrap and chill (keeps cake moist and from drying out).
    • Any cake mix works for this Easter Cake (regular, gluten-free, allergy-friendly or your favorite from-scratch recipe)
    • Gluten-Free cake: gluten-free baked goods are the best consistency when fully cooled.
    • I did not level my cake layers but you certainly can. I use a cake leveler from Wilton that really works great.
    • Using a cake turntable will make frosting easier.

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    Recipe

    Easter Egg Pinata Cake

    Easter Cake with a Surprise Inside (boxed mix hack)

    There is no better surprise than to cut into this Easter Cake to find loads of candy! And it’s so easy to make!
    5 from 67 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 2 hours hours
    Servings: 10 (Serves 8-10)
    Calories: 129kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 boxes Cake Mix (I used Pillsbury Gluten-Free Funfetti), plus any ingredients to make the cakes per the package instructions
    • 3 containers prepared Frosting: 1 for the inside layers , 2 for the outside of the cake (I used Pillsbury Strawberry for the inside and Pillsbury Funfetti Vibrant Green Vanilla for the outside)
    • 1 ½ cups assorted Easter egg candy
    • Decoration for the cake top (edible grass, green coconut, more candy, chocolate bunny, etc)

    Instructions

    • Prepare the cake mix to make 8-inch or 9-inch layer cakes (2 per mix). Follow directions to remove from pans and fully cool (especially if gluten-free). Note: cake layers may be wrapped in plastic wrap and chilled before proceeding for easier cutting and frosting._
    • Cut a 3 ½ inch hole in the center of one layer of the cake (I used the rim of a large glass as a guide).
    • Place the layer with a hole on top of a second layer aligning the sides to have the layers directly underneath each other. Cut a hole in the second cake.
    • Place an uncut layer of cake on a serving plate or cake cardboard. 
    • Spread a layer of frosting on the bottom side of one of the cut layers of cake and place it on top of the bottom layer. 
    • Repeat with the second cut layer, aligning it so the holes are directly above each other.
    • Fill the hole with the assorted Easter candy. 
    • Spread a layer of frosting on top of the third layer and place the last layer on top.
    • Frost the outside of the cake and decorate the top. Chill fully for the best slicing.
    • Note: To place a large chocolate bunny on the top of the cake as shown in the photos, I inserted toothpicks into the bottom of the bunny to stablize it on top of the cake:

    Video

    Notes

    • The total recipe time takes into account cooling time for the cakes post baking. Additional cooling time may be required, in addition to suggested chilling time for the cake once assembled before slicing.
    • Nutrition Facts will vary dependent on the type of cake, frosting and candy used. Please consider them a guide only.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 129kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 24g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0mg
    Pinata Easter Cake title image
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    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    Originally published: March 14, 2017

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy Liu Dong says

      March 19, 2022 at 12:26 am

      5 stars
      This is so easy and the kids loved this delicious cake. Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Taylor says

      April 10, 2019 at 1:46 pm

      5 stars
      This cake is SO so fun! Love that surprise in the middle!

      Reply
    3. Elaine Benoit says

      April 10, 2019 at 12:00 pm

      5 stars
      I love this!! How absolutely fun and delicious! I need to make this for Easter and bring it to my sister’s. Her grandkids are going to love it!

      Reply
    4. Krystle says

      April 10, 2019 at 10:08 am

      5 stars
      What a beautiful box cake mix hack. Doubles as a center piece!

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        April 10, 2019 at 10:29 am

        Great idea!

        Reply
    5. Sally says

      April 10, 2019 at 8:04 am

      5 stars
      This was just soooo cute and surprisingly easy to make. It will be on our Easter menu for sure.

      Reply
    6. Mae says

      April 09, 2019 at 7:38 pm

      This Easter cake looks tempting and full of colors that kids will surely love. I will keep in mind the tips you have provided. Thank you for this one, I have now an idea on what to make this coming Easter.

      Reply
    7. Suzy says

      April 09, 2019 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      Going to try the pinata idea for a birthday cake!

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        April 09, 2019 at 5:29 pm

        Perfect! So many ways to adapt it!

        Reply
    8. Liz says

      April 09, 2019 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      Thanks to your great instructions, this was a breeze to prepare! My family loved this cake!

      Reply
    9. Sommer says

      April 09, 2019 at 8:59 am

      5 stars
      What a fun dessert! I bet it’s a sight to cut into this cake!

      Reply
    10. Kristen says

      April 09, 2019 at 8:32 am

      5 stars
      I love the detailed photos in this post. So helpful to understand exactly what to do. This is a perfect treat for the kids!

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    5 from 67 votes (48 ratings without comment)

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    Welcome! Iโ€™m Toni Dash. Iโ€™m a Certified Nutrition Coach and the professional writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavoreยฎ. Iโ€™m so glad you are here!

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