Easter Bunny Cake Recipe

Name: Easter Bunny Cake Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 52 min
Ingredients: 1 (15.25-ounce) box Duncan Hines White Cake Mix; 1 cup water; ½ cup butter, (softened); 3 large eggs; 1 ½ cups butter, (softened); 6 cups powdered sugar; ⅓ cup milk, (or half and half); 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract; pinch salt; 3 ¾ cups flaked coconut; 30 small jelly beans; 4 sticks red licorice

Easter is one of our favorite holidays (right next to Christmas)! We also include plenty of fun activities and LOTS of desserts! One of our most-requested treats is today’s Easter Bunny cake, which is one that grandma has made for us since we were little kids. It’s not only simple and delicious, but it’s cute, fun, and festive.

There is no special equipment required (just two 9-inch cake rounds), and it has simple ingredients. With the use of a cake mix, this recipe is quick and easy. Just bake and decorate! The buttercream frosting and coconut flakes are the best part, and the kids always love the candy decorations.

This adorable bunny cake is just as cute and festive as our Easter Cupcakes and Easter Dirt Cake.

Why we think you’ll love it:

No special equipment needed. Some bunny cakes require a special 3D cake pan, but this recipe only needs two 9-inch cake rounds.
Fun for the family. Not only is this cute and festive for an Easter celebration and Spring, but this easy bunny cake is perfect for your kids to help make.
We love Easter! This cake is a great addition to our favorite Easter desserts and would look adorable on the table with our Easter Candy Charcuterie Board!

Easter Bunny Cake Ingredients

Cake

Duncan Hines White Cake Mix (15.25-ounce box) – Cake mix gives you a moist, reliable base with minimal effort, so you can focus on the fun decorating. You can use any brand or flavor, or make a white cake from scratch.
Water (1 cup) – Water hydrates the mix for a light crumb; you can swap with milk for a touch more richness, or use milk.
Butter, softened (½ cup) – Butter adds buttery flavor and tenderness to the cake. See How to Soften Butter Quickly for tips.
Eggs (3 large) – Eggs bind the batter and create structure, helping the bunny shape hold together.

Frosting

Butter (1½ cups, softened) – Butter is the creamy foundation of the frosting; it whips up fluffy and smooth. We used unsalted butter, but salted butter can also be used.
Powdered sugar (6 cups) – Sugar sweetens and thickens the frosting to a spreadable, stable consistency.
Milk or half and half (⅓ cup) – Milk loosens the frosting to the perfect spreading texture.
Vanilla extract (1½ teaspoons) – Vanilla adds warm, classic vanilla flavor to complement the coconut.
Salt (pinch) – Salt balances the sweetness so the frosting tastes well-rounded. Omit if using salted butter

Decorations

Flaked coconut (3¾ cups) – Coconut creates that adorable furry bunny look and adds light coconut chew. Because the cake is already sweet, we use unsweetened shredded coconut, but sweetened works just fine too.
Small jelly beans (30) – Jelly beans bring bright pops of color for the eyes, nose, and fill the bow tie.
Red licorice (4 sticks) – Licorice creates an easy edible outline for ears and whiskers, plus a cute bow tie detail. We use 4 of the Twizzlers Pull ‘N’ Peel Twisted Strawberry Blast Snack Size Easter Candy, but red pull-and-peel licorice, or use Sour Patch straws.

How to Make an Easter Bunny Cake

Cutting ear shapes from a round cake pan.

PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare two springform pans, or two round cake pans, and set aside. How to Line a Pan with Parchment Paper or How to Grease and Flour a Pan.

CAKE. In a large bowl, beat white cake mix powder, water, softened butter, and eggs until smooth with an electric mixer. Pour into the prepared pans. Bake for 22-24 minutes.

Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove from the pan and place one round cake layer on a serving tray for the head.
Place the second round cake on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut two convex-shaped ears off the edges, and place them on the platter as ears. The last piece goes below the head to make a bow tie.

Frosting the cake pieces shaped like a bunny.

Coating the cake shaped in frosting and coconut.

FROSTING. In a medium bowl, add the softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat on low speed until light and fluffy.

Once cool, use an offset spatula to frost the bunny cake and pat the coconut flakes onto the top and sides of the cake before the frosting sets.

DECORATE. Make a bunny face and bowtie with the candy. We use the Pull ‘N’ Peel licorice strands to create outlines for the ears and bow tie (this can also be done with extra frosting and food coloring), then fill them with jelly beans. Then use the jelly beans and licorice for the eyes, nose, and whiskers.

Tip. Save some of the frosting to use as glue to help the jelly beans and licorice stick to the top of the cake.

Placing candy on the face of the Easter bunny cake.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

Cake Layer. You can use any brand or flavor, or make a white cake from scratch, to make two 9-inch rounds.
Avoid crumbs. Do a thin layer of frosting, chill for 10 to 15 minutes, then finish frosting for a smooth surface that holds coconut well.
Bunny cupcakes. Bake the white cake mix as cupcakes per the box, let them cool, then frost and sprinkle with coconut. Add a face with jelly beans or chocolate chips and licorice, and tuck in bunny ears cut from white construction paper.

Recipe FAQ

How to store an unfrosted cake?

The cake layers can be made ahead of time and then frozen until you are ready to decorate the cake. Once the rounds have cooled wrap each piece with plastic wrap and then store them together in a Ziploc bag or wrapped in foil. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to store a decorated bunny cake?

Since this recipe doesn’t use perishable ingredients, it can be covered and stored at room temperature for 1-2 days before serving.

How to store leftovers?

Press plastic against exposed cake and store covered, or put into an airtight container(s) and store for 2-3 days. To freeze remove candies and store it in a freezer-safe container(s) for up to 3 months.