This Epic Easter Egg Smash Cake is a fun treat that will surprise everyone! With a soft, delicious cake filled with colorful candy eggs, it’s perfect for celebrations.
You know you want to smash it open and see all those treats spill out! 🐣 I love making this cake because it’s a hit with kids and adults alike. Great for sharing during Easter festivities!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is your base for the cake. You can use cake flour for a lighter texture if you like, or even a gluten-free blend if needed.
Butter: Unsalted butter provides control over salt levels. If you’re in a pinch, you can substitute with margarine, but the flavor may not be as rich.
Granulated Sugar: This keeps the cake sweet. Brown sugar is a great substitute for added moisture and a slight molasses flavor. Just keep in mind it will darken the cake a bit.
Eggs: They add moisture and structure. For an egg-free version, use flax eggs or applesauce—1/4 cup for each egg you would replace.
Whole Milk: Using whole milk contributes to the cake’s moisture. You can swap it with almond milk or other plant-based milk, but it might slightly change the taste.
Food Coloring: For the frosting, gel food coloring is best as it’s more concentrated. Liquid colors can work, but you might need more to achieve the desired shade.
How Do You Create a Light and Fluffy Cake?
The key to a light cake lies in proper mixing techniques. Start by creaming butter and sugar together until it’s fluffy. This process incorporates air into the batter, which helps the cake rise.
- Make sure your butter is softened; it should be just at room temperature to beat easily.
- When adding eggs, do it one at a time and mix well after each addition. This keeps the mixture smooth.
- Alternate adding flour and milk to avoid overmixing. Begin and end with flour, mixing until just combined—this helps maintain fluffiness.
What’s the Trick for the Perfect Frosting?
To ensure your frosting is creamy and spreads easily, start with softened butter. This step is crucial for achieving that light and fluffy texture.
- Gradually add powdered sugar to prevent messy splatter. Mix until you get a smooth consistency.
- If it’s too thick, add cream or milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Dividing the frosting to tint allows for beautiful decoration while keeping it manageable.
How Do You Fill and Assemble the Cake for the Surprise Effect?
The surprise filling is part of what makes this cake special! To achieve this, you’ll want to hollow out the center carefully.
- Use a gentle hand to carve the center of one cake layer, ensuring you leave a sturdy border. Aim for about 2 inches deep.
- Fill the hollowed part with candy eggs and sprinkles, creating a delightful surprise when sliced.
- Make sure to press the second layer down gently so they stick together well.
Enjoy making your Easter Egg Smash Cake! It’s not only a treat for the eyes but also a fun surprise for everyone to enjoy.
How to Make an Epic Easter Egg Smash Cake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
- Multicolor sprinkles or funfetti mix (about ½ cup)
For The Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3-4 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- Food coloring (purple, pink, blue, or desired pastel shades)
For Decoration & Filling:
- White chocolate or candy melts (for coating the exterior)
- Small candy eggs in pastel colors (chocolate or sugar-coated)
- Edible Easter bunny toppers or meringue bunnies
- Multicolor round sprinkles
- Optional: crushed meringue or small candies for extra texture
How Much Time Will You Need?
This cake takes about 45 minutes to prepare and 25-30 minutes to bake, plus additional time for cooling and decorating. You’ll need to set aside a few hours for assembling and letting the frosting harden before serving. Overall, allocate around 3-4 hours for this festive dessert adventure!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cake Batter:
First, let’s get everything ready! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans. In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt so they blend well.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until it’s light and fluffy—this is what makes your cake nice and airy! Next, add the eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after each addition, and then stir in the vanilla extract.
Now, alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk. Start and end with the flour, mixing until everything is just combined. Finally, gently fold in the sprinkles until they’re evenly distributed.
2. Bake the Cake:
Divide your cake batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake them in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. After baking, cool the cakes in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
3. Make the Frosting:
To create the frosting, beat the softened butter in a mixing bowl on medium speed until it’s creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, blending well. Then, stir in the vanilla and add 2-3 tablespoons of cream or milk, continuing to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Divide your frosting into small bowls and tint each portion with your desired pastel colors, making sure to mix well until you achieve beautiful soft shades!
4. Assemble the Cake:
Once your cakes are completely cool, it’s time to assemble! If necessary, level the tops of the cakes. Now, take one cake layer and hollow out the center by carving a well about 2 inches deep, leaving a border of about an inch around. Fill this carved well with candy eggs and extra sprinkles.
Next, place the second cake layer on top, pressing down gently to create a sandwich that keeps the candy safe inside. Your cake is taking shape!
5. Coat the Cake Exterior:
Time to make it look fabulous! Melt the white chocolate or candy melts according to package instructions. Once melted, pour or spread it over the assembled cake, working to create smooth panels or a thicker shell. Allow it to set slightly before moving on to the next step.
6. Decorate the Top:
Now comes the fun part! Use a star piping tip to pipe pastel-colored frosting swirls around the top edge of the cake. Next, place candy eggs and adorable edible bunnies on top, then scatter extra sprinkles and any crushed meringue or candies around the base on your serving plate to add even more charm.
7. Serving:
When you’re ready to serve this showstopper, cut the cake to reveal the surprise hollow center with candy eggs spilling out. Enjoy the festive smash effect and the colorful funfetti cake with creamy frosting. This cake is bound to be a hit at your Easter celebration!
Can I Use a Different Type of Milk for This Recipe?
Absolutely! While whole milk provides great moisture, you can substitute it with almond milk, oat milk, or any other non-dairy milk. Just ensure that it’s unsweetened to maintain the intended sweetness of the cake.
Can I Make This Cake Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can! Bake the cake layers a day in advance and store them wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature. You can also prepare the frosting a day ahead and keep it in the refrigerator; just bring it back to room temperature before using it.
How Do I Store Leftover Cake?
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to prolong its life, you can refrigerate it, but be aware that this may dry it out slightly. When ready to eat, let it come to room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Can I Use Different Candies for the Filling?
Definitely! Feel free to use any candy you like for the filling, such as jellybeans, chocolate-covered raisins, or mini marshmallows. Just keep in mind the size of the candies to ensure they fit well in the hollowed center.
