Easter Bunny Cake

Easter at my house wasn’t complete without cake—specifically, a bunny cake covered in way too much frosting and candy.

It started as two simple round cakes, but with some careful cutting, a whole lot of blue frosting, and a few well-placed candies, it magically turned into a bunny.

The ears were always the trickiest part—sometimes they stood up straight, sometimes they flopped over, but they always ended up covered in sprinkles.

I remember watching my mom carefully press on the whiskers and place the little candy bowtie while I snuck extra sweets from the decorating bowl.

The cake never lasted long once it hit the table, but the fun of making it stuck with me.

So now, every Easter, I make sure this bunny cake makes an appearance. It’s simple, adorable, and putting on the final candy details feels just as fun as it did when I was a kid. Just be warned—once you set it out, it disappears fast!

Table of Contents

Easter Bunny Cake Recipe

Ingredients

For The Cake

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk

For The Frosting

1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
Blue gel food coloring

For The Decorations

Pink fondant (for ears)
Royal icing or buttercream for ear borders (tinted blue)
Assorted pastel sprinkles
Mini marshmallows (for teeth)
Large white candy melts (for eyes)
Chocolate chips (for pupils)
Pink candy (for nose)
Thin licorice sticks (for whiskers)
Gummy candy bowtie

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with milk, and mix until combined. Do not overmix.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well. Add heavy cream and vanilla extract, then mix until smooth. Tint with blue gel food coloring and mix until evenly colored.
Trim cake layers if needed for an even surface. Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread frosting evenly, then place the second layer on top. Frost the entire cake with the blue frosting.
Roll out pink fondant and cut out two elongated ovals for inner ears. Use piped blue frosting to create an outer border and attach pastel sprinkles. Secure the ears upright on top of the cake using wooden skewers or cake pop sticks.
Attach white candy melts for eyes and press chocolate chips in the center for pupils. Use a pink candy for the nose. Arrange thin licorice sticks as whiskers. Cut mini marshmallows in half and place them as teeth.
Decorate the bottom edge with piped blue frosting and pastel sprinkles for an added touch. Finish by placing a gummy candy bowtie at the base.
Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to set before serving.

What Is An Easter Bunny Cake?

An Easter bunny cake is a fun, festive cake shaped or decorated to look like a bunny, making it a centerpiece for Easter celebrations.

It’s usually made with fluffy cake layers, coated in colorful frosting, and decorated with candies, sprinkles, or coconut to resemble bunny fur.

Some versions involve cutting a round cake into bunny shapes, while others, like this one, keep the cake whole and use decorations to bring the bunny to life.

Where Did The Tradition Of Bunny-Shaped Cakes Come From?

The tradition of bunny-shaped cakes is believed to have started as a way to celebrate spring and Easter, which are both symbols of new life and renewal.

The Easter Bunny itself comes from ancient folklore, particularly German traditions that were brought to America in the 1700s.

German Influence: The idea of the Easter Bunny delivering eggs dates back to German immigrants who introduced the concept of “Osterhase” (Easter hare).
Baking Traditions: As Easter celebrations grew, families started baking cakes shaped like bunnies as a fun, edible way to celebrate.
Modern Popularity: Over time, the Easter Bunny Cake became a popular homemade treat, passed down through generations, and often made with simple ingredients and lots of creativity.

What Type Of Frosting Works Best For Easter Bunny Cake?

The frosting plays a huge role in making your bunny cake look and taste amazing. Here are the best options:

Buttercream Frosting: Thick, creamy, and easy to color, buttercream holds decorations well and creates a smooth or textured “fur” effect.
Cream Cheese Frosting: Slightly tangy and rich, this frosting pairs well with classic cake flavors like vanilla or carrot cake.
Whipped Frosting: Light and airy, but not as sturdy as buttercream—best if you want a fluffy look but aren’t adding heavy decorations.
Ganache or Glaze: Not common for bunny cakes, but if you prefer a sleek look, a white or pastel-colored ganache can work.

For this recipe, buttercream is the best choice because it holds color well, spreads easily, and is great for piping decorations.

How Can You Decorate The Bunny Cake Creatively?

Decorating a bunny cake is the most fun part! There’s no right or wrong way, but here are some creative ideas:

Candy Features: Use chocolate chips, candy melts, or edible eyes for the bunny’s face.
Textured Fur: Pipe buttercream in small swirls to create a fluffy fur effect, or sprinkle shredded coconut for a textured look.
Colorful Ears: Make bunny ears from fondant, cookies, or piped frosting with fun colors and patterns.
Pastel Sprinkles: Add small pastel-colored sprinkles to match the Easter theme.
Edible Bowtie: Shape a bowtie out of gummy candy or pipe one with frosting for an extra-cute touch.

You can make the bunny look playful, sleepy, or even mischievous by adjusting its eyes and whiskers!

Can You Make Easter Bunny Cake Ahead Of Time?

Yes! You can prepare parts of the cake in advance to save time on Easter day. Here’s how:

Bake the Cake Layers: Make them up to two days in advance and store them wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature or in the fridge.
Make the Frosting: Prepare it up to three days ahead and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Let it soften before using.
Assemble the Cake: Frost and decorate the cake the night before Easter and store it in the fridge until ready to serve.
Add Final Decorations Last-Minute: Candies and sprinkles can absorb moisture from the frosting, so place them just before serving for the freshest look.

How Do You Store Leftover Easter Bunny Cake?

If you have leftovers (which is rare because it’s too delicious!), here’s how to keep them fresh:

At Room Temperature: If the cake is unfrosted or lightly frosted, cover it and store it for up to one day in a cool place.
In the Refrigerator: Fully frosted cakes stay fresh for up to four days when stored in an airtight container. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
In the Freezer: Slice the cake into portions, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and store in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before eating.

What Candy Works Best For Decorating A Bunny Cake?

The right candy makes all the difference in bringing your bunny cake to life. Here are some great choices:

Eyes: Chocolate chips, candy eyes, or small round candies.
Nose: Pink marshmallows, gumdrops, or jelly beans.
Whiskers: Thin licorice strands, pretzel sticks, or piped chocolate.
Ears: Fondant, frosted cookies, or piped buttercream with pastel sprinkles.
Bowtie: Gummy strips, fruit roll-ups, or piped frosting.

How Do You Make The Bunny Ears Stand Up On The Cake?

Bunny ears are the trickiest part, but there are a few easy ways to make sure they stay up:

Fondant or Gum Paste: Roll out fondant or gum paste, shape it into ears, and let it dry completely before inserting into the cake.
Frosted Cookies: Use oval-shaped cookies frosted with pink and blue icing, then press them into the top of the cake.
Cardboard Cutouts: Cut bunny ears from thick cardboard, cover them with frosting or edible decorations, and gently insert them into the cake.
Toothpicks or Lollipop Sticks: If using fondant or cookies, insert toothpicks or lollipop sticks into the bottom of each ear before placing them on the cake for extra support.