Easter Cake Recipe

If you’re looking for a dessert that absolutely steals the show and delights every guest, this Easter Cake is your new must-bake tradition. With its tender layers, a hint of vanilla, creamy buttercream, and a flurry of coconut and pastel candies, this treat is as festive as it is delicious. Each bite celebrates spring, and whether you’re making it with kids or for a friend-filled brunch, the Easter Cake is all about color, joy, and irresistible flavor.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is the best way to guarantee a dreamy Easter Cake. Each element matters: from the butter for that gorgeous crumb, to a sprinkle of pastel candies that make your masterpiece pop. Here’s the rundown on what you’ll need—and why you’ll love using them.

• All-purpose flour: The backbone of your cake, providing structure and perfect texture for slicing and stacking.
• Baking powder: Ensures the cake rises beautifully, giving it lightness and an airy feel.
• Baking soda: Works alongside the sour cream and milk for extra tenderness.
• Salt: Just a touch to balance the sweetness and accentuate the flavors.
• Unsalted butter (softened): Responsible for a rich, moist crumb and a melt-in-your-mouth finish.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens every bite and helps the cake brown just right.
• Large eggs: Bind the batter together and create structure, ensuring your cake holds up perfectly.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warm, fragrant undertones that make this cake taste like spring.
• Whole milk: Provides moisture and softness for each slice.
• Sour cream: The secret ingredient for a tangy zing and extra tender crumb.
• Food coloring (pastel pink, yellow, green, or blue – optional): For those charming swirls of Easter color inside the layers.
• Buttercream frosting: Luxuriously creamy and sweet, perfect for layering, swirling, and swooping across the cake.
• Sweetened shredded coconut: A playful, snowy finish and a gentle crunch on top and sides.
• Mini chocolate eggs or pastel sprinkles: The ultimate Easter flourish—adorable and festive for decorating your cake.

How to Make Easter Cake

Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Oven

Start by setting the tone for baking success. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and take a moment to grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans. This step isn’t just about tradition; it ensures your lovely cake layers release without sticking, staying intact and ready for presentation. Now, you’re ready to mix magic!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium-sized bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This not only evenly distributes the leavening agents but also helps avoid any little lumps, resulting in a smooth, airy cake once baked. Set aside—you’ll need this in just a bit!

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, blend your softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is truly light and fluffy. This part usually takes about 3–4 minutes and is essential for creating that fine, tender crumb in your Easter Cake. Don’t rush; the more air you beat in here, the better your cake’s texture.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

One by one, add your eggs, beating well after each addition. Then blend in the vanilla extract. This ensures everything is silky-smooth and well incorporated, setting up for a moist batter with a gentle, sweet aroma.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, stir together the milk and sour cream until you have a creamy mixture. Now, gently mix the dry ingredients and milk mixture into your creamed butter base, alternating between them—starting and ending with the dry mixture. Stir just until the batter comes together; overmixing can make your cake dense, and we want light, pillowy layers!

Step 6: Add Easter Colors (Optional, but Fun!)

If you’re feeling festive, divide your batter into two or more bowls and tint each with a different pastel food coloring. Carefully swirl the batters back together in each cake pan. The result? A beautiful, marbled effect once sliced—your Easter Cake will surprise and delight everyone at first cut.

Step 7: Bake the Layers

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pans and bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This is where your kitchen will start to smell like pure happiness. Once baked, let your cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then run a knife along the edges and carefully invert them onto wire racks to cool completely.

Step 8: Frost, Decorate, and Celebrate!

Time for the grand finale! Once your cakes are completely cool, sandwich and cover them generously with buttercream frosting. Press sweetened coconut gently onto the sides and top for that fluffy, springlike look. Now, scatter mini chocolate eggs or pastel sprinkles on top. Or, to make a “nest,” shape a ring of coconut in the center and fill it with candy eggs—guaranteed to earn you big smiles around the table.

How to Serve Easter Cake

Garnishes

For a picture-perfect finish, pile a nest of coconut in the center and fill it with an assortment of mini chocolate eggs. Edible flowers, pastel sprinkles, or even a dusting of powdered sugar are wonderful touches too. Let your inner artist loose—Easter Cake is meant to be as pretty as it is scrumptious!

Side Dishes

This luscious cake is best paired with light, bright sides—a fresh fruit salad, a crisp glass of sparkling lemonade, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These simple compliments keep the focus on the main event while giving your Easter gathering a lovely, balanced finish.

Creative Ways to Present

Showcase your Easter Cake on a pastel cake stand or a vintage platter for maximum effect. You can slice and serve on a bed of extra coconut, or arrange slices in a rainbow pattern so your guests see those lovely marbled colors. If you’re feeling bold, make mini cakes using the same recipe for adorable individual treats!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any remaining Easter Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. The coconut does a charming job of keeping the frosting moist! Just be sure to bring chilled slices back to room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

Freezing

If you want to bake ahead, wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. You can even freeze the frosted cake, though decorations like coconut and candy eggs may lose their charm. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and decorate fresh when ready to serve.

Reheating

While you won’t need to “reheat” this cake, letting refrigerated slices sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying ensures the buttercream is silky and the sponge is ultra-soft again. If you’d like a warm dessert, try toasting a plain slice briefly and topping with whipped cream!

FAQs

Can I use a different frosting instead of buttercream?

Absolutely! Cream cheese frosting is a fantastic choice if you want a tangier flavor profile. It pairs beautifully with the coconut and candy toppings for this Easter Cake and is just as easy to spread.

Do I have to use food coloring?

Nope! The food coloring is entirely optional. If you prefer a classic look, leave the cake layers golden and let the coconut and chocolate eggs provide all the decoration your Easter Cake needs.

Can I make Easter Cake gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute a good-quality cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Just check the blend contains xanthan gum, or add a teaspoon to improve the cake’s texture.

How far ahead can I assemble the cake?

You can bake and frost the cake up to a day in advance. Just store it covered in the refrigerator, then add any candies or coconut nest toppings right before serving so they stay crisp and fresh.

What’s the best way to transport Easter Cake to a potluck?

Place your finished Easter Cake on a flat, sturdy plate and cover with a tall cake carrier or large bowl. Keep cool, and consider bringing garnishes separately to assemble once you arrive for ultimate freshness and fewer decorating mishaps on the road.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the smiles and memories a homemade Easter Cake brings to the table. It’s the perfect treat to celebrate new beginnings, springtime, and being together. I can’t wait for you to enjoy every unforgettable, colorful bite!

Print