Bunny Cake Easter Spring (Printable)

Moist vanilla bunny cake with buttercream frosting and coconut decoration

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake Components

01 - 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 3 large eggs
08 - 1 cup whole milk
09 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

→ Buttercream Frosting

10 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2–3 tablespoons milk
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
14 - Pinch of salt

→ Decorative Elements

15 - 2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
16 - Pink food coloring
17 - Jelly beans or mini candies for facial features
18 - Pink and white fondant or marshmallows for ears

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans thoroughly.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until well blended.
03 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to creamed butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just incorporated.
06 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 22–25 minutes until toothpick inserted in center emerges clean.
07 - Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks. Cool entirely before frosting.
08 - Beat butter until smooth. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and sufficient milk to achieve spreadable consistency.
09 - Keep one cake round intact for the face. Cut second round into two ear-shaped ovals and center portion into bow tie configuration.
10 - Arrange face, ears, and bow tie on large serving tray in bunny formation.
11 - Spread thin layer of frosting over all cake pieces. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to set.
12 - Frost cake completely with remaining buttercream. Press shredded coconut generously over entire surface.
13 - Tint small portion of coconut with pink food coloring. Gently press colored coconut onto ear sections.
14 - Position fondant or marshmallow ear details. Place candy nose, eyes, and additional decorations as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It transforms simple vanilla cake into something that makes everyone at the table smile, no matter their age
  • The coconut creates this incredible fluffy texture that mimics fur, making it almost too cute to cut into
  • You can assemble it with kids or let them handle the decorating while you sip coffee
02 -
  • Let the cakes cool completely before trying to cut them into the bunny shape, or you will end up with crumbly edges and a frustrating mess
  • A crumb coat might seem like an extra step, but it keeps the coconut from mixing into the frosting and turning it gray
  • Work quickly when pressing on the coconut, as the frosting starts to set and makes it harder for the coconut to stick
03 -
  • Chill your frosted cake pieces for 15 minutes before pressing on the coconut to reduce dragging and smearing
  • Use a small offset spatula to gently lift and move the coconut into place without disturbing the frosting underneath

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