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)!
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.
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.
Ingredients for this Easter Cake
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
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.
Easter Cake PRO 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.
How to Make this Easter Cake – Step by Step
The steps for making this Easter Cake are really easy. Anyone can do it!
- 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.
- 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)
- 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.
- 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.
Originally published: March 14, 2017
lauren kelly says
This is so much fun! I can’t wait to impress my guests!
Jill says
This would make the perfect centerpiece on an Easter table. I love how simple it is to create too – I’d actually make this!
Marcie W. says
What a fun way to dress up an ordinary box cake for Easter! My kids would go crazy finding candy inside.
Denise Browning says
Toni: How cute!!!! An easy, delish and creative Easter treat that makes my soon-to-make list.
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Such a creative idea! Great Easter dessert.
Amy L Desrosiers says
This cake is so cute! I am actually making a mini version of them with Jelly Beans and cupcakes soon for my kids. I love the color contrast!
Toni Dash says
Sounds adorable!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
So fun for Easter!
Toni Dash says
Thanks Jennifer!
Dogvills says
What a brilliant and fun idea, time flies so fast can’t wait for easter. Love this Easter Egg Pinata Cake I will make sure to make this.
Sinisa says
Super creative post. Perfect timing for Easter.
Toni Dash says
So glad you like it!
Alessandra Lim says
What a fun cake that is! I am sure the kids would be pleasantly surprised when they ask for a slice of cake. This cake could be served on any occasion, just change the frosting and the candy inside! Saving the recipe.
Sherry says
I love this idea for a cake. I would fill mine with Cadbury mini eggs. I will have to attempt it for Easter.
Jenna Wood says
Pinata cakes area always fun. I like to make one that has a chocolate dome on top!
Kathy says
That is an awesome cake! I’ll have to make this for Easter. What a fun idea!
Shelley says
This is the cutest cake ever! 🙂 Looks easy enough to make too. Love it!
TColeman says
I really need to give this a try for Easter this year. I am always looking for new ideas.
Jeni Hawkins says
This is so much fun! The possibilities are pretty much endless for the candy to put inside too.
Meagan says
That is such a cute cake. I bet the kids would have fun with it.
Kelly Hutchinson says
Oh my yes! My kids would just love this cake. They would be totally surprised when they cut into it.
Pam Wattenbarger says
This is so cool! I know some kids who would go nuts over this cake and the secret surprise inside.
Tracey says
This is so cool. I am so going to make this recipe for Easter dinner! What a fun idea for a cake.
Jen Rattie says
I have some major plans for this cake. So far, I’m up to Cadbury Eggs, Reese’s Pieces, and three or four different types of gummies. BEST RECIPE EVER!
Toni Dash says
I’m coming over Jen LOL! It’s so fun isn’t it? You can put whatever you want in it.
Colleen Lanin says
That is the coolest cake I have ever seen. I mean, seriously, what is better than a cake filled with candy? Nothing. The answer is nothing.
Toni Dash says
A cake full of money or diamonds?
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That is the coolest! My kids are weird and don’t like jelly beans, so I’m thinking a nice assortment of M&M’s would be perfect in there!
Toni Dash says
You can definitely put anything. I picked some gluten-free options for my crew. The really beautiful colored small eggs are actually peanut butter M & M eggs! The larger eggs and bubble gum. So many options!
robin Rue says
This is so fun! My kids would LOVE this little surprise 🙂
Rachel Ferrucci says
oh my I love this! I love cake and to get a surprise in the middle is amazing. My grandsons would love this!