Easter Bunny Cake

Prep 30 min
Total 2 hr 10 min
Servings 12

Remember old-fashioned cutout cakes? This cute bunny is easily made from carrot cake mix frosted and covered with mouthwatering coconut. MORE+ LESS-

By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Updated March 23, 2016

Make with

Betty Crocker Cake Mix

Ingredients

box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ carrot cake mix

Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box

Tray or cardboard covered with wrapping paper and plastic food wrap or foil

container Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting

cup shredded coconut

Construction paper

Jelly beans or small gumdrops, as desired

cup shredded coconut

Green food color

Steps

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1

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Make, bake and cool cake as directed on box for two 8-inch or 9-inch round pans.
2

Reserve 1 layer for another use or to make a second bunny. Cut 1 layer in half as shown in diagram. Put halves together with frosting to make body. Place cake upright on cut edge on tray.
3

Cut out a notch about one-third of the way up one end of body to form head (small end) as shown in diagram (template can be found under the Tips below). Attach half of cutout piece from tail with toothpicks. Frost with remaining frosting, rounding body on sides. Sprinkle with 1 cup coconut. Cut ears from construction paper; wrap ends that will be inserted into cake with plastic food wrap. Press into notch on top. Use jelly beans for eyes and nose.
4

Shake 1 cup coconut and 3 drops food color in tightly covered jar until evenly tinted. Surround bunny with tinted coconut. Add additional jelly beans if desired. Remove ears, plastic wrap and toothpicks before serving. Store loosely covered.

Take the stress out of making this cute cake with this handy template!

Expert Tips

No need to fuss over frosting. Freeze cut cake pieces uncovered for about 1 hour; this will make frosting a lot easier.
Create an attractive display by covering a piece of sturdy cardboard with wrapping paper, then plastic food wrap. Stretch and secure with tape. Or cover cardboard with foil or cooking parchment paper.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Calories: 330
Calories from Fat: 170

% Daily Value

Total Fat: 19g; 29%
Saturated Fat 8g 41% Trans Fat 2g
Cholesterol: 25mg; 9%
Sodium: 210mg; 9%
Potassium: 80mg; 2%
Total Carbohydrate: 40g; 13%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0% Sugars 30g
Protein: 2g

% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A: 0%; 0%
Vitamin C: 0%; 0%
Calcium: 4%; 4%
Iron: 4%; 4%

Exchanges:

1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 3 1/2 Fat;

Carbohydrate Choice

2 1/2

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

More About This Recipe

What's the sweetest thing you can make for your friends and family this Easter?

Lucky for you, I have a few ideas. From bunny-themed cakes to traditional tarts, here's my top 10 list of treats for this year's Easter celebration. (Don't take the order too seriously—these could all be number ones!)

1. Bunny Cakes

An adorable bunny cake will be a gorgeous centerpiece for any party. This elegant Chocolate Easter Bunny Cake is so much simpler than it looks. Dark chocolate cake, complete with chocolate bunnies, to stun your guests. Too much chocolate for your tastes? Try this fun, coconut Easter Bunny Cake. Equally adorable. Check out more bunny cake ideas...

2. Classic Pecan Pie

What’s a classic dessert that no one can say no to? Pie, of course. I love pie. I crave it. Cherry pie, apple pie, pumpkin pie. Any and all with a cup of coffee or espresso and I’m giddy. But my favorite pie for any season, and Easter in particular, has to be Decadent Pecan Pie. Crunchy, sweet, gooey perfection. Mmm.

3. Fresh Fruit Tart

Just like pie, you can’t go wrong with a classic tart for Easter. This Meyer Lemon and Strawberry Tart is so beautiful, layered elegantly with fresh strawberries—perfect for your spring holiday feast. Or try this Italian Fresh Fruit Tart recipe. It's easy and customizable—use any fresh fruit you want!

4. Handmade Chocolates

Nothing is more “Easter” than a chocolate egg. This year, try your hand at making your own! These Fudgy Truffle Eggs are much easier than you’d think and melt in your mouth. Or, if you’re in a hurry, pick up these delightful Easter chocolates by Lake Champlain Chocolates in Vermont. Their gourmet chocolate gifts are great for grown-up parties!

5. Edible Baskets

Why not make a treat with a basket you can eat!? The kid in me loves these Easter Basket Cookies. Not only can you eat the sugar cookie baskets, but everything inside of them as well. Fill them with jelly beans, mini chocolate eggs, or bunny candies! I also adore these Easter Basket Cupcakes that you can decorate with bunnies, flowers, or whatever you like!

6. Chicks Cupcakes

These crazy cute little yellow Easter Chicks Cupcakes are perhaps the sweetest treats (tweets!) you could make without spending hours in the kitchen. Make a dozen or two of these cuties and place them in birds nests on the table! For something unusual, try this creative cake idea—make a cake IN an egg shell!

7. Jelly Beans

These Jelly Bean Chicks are both crafty and yummy! Get the kids to help with these and you’ll have a fun pre-Easter project. Or try this Spring Cookie Pizza—with a sugar cookie crust, marshmallow “sauce,” and jelly beans for toppings, you can’t get much more Easter-y.

8. Carrot Cake

A simple carrot cake is always a hit for Easter. Betty’s Ultimate Carrot Cake takes it to the next level with pineapple juice. I like to add a little something special to my carrot cakes, too—among my favorites for mixing it up are this Ginger Carrot Cake, a gooey Caramel-Carrot Cake, and an oh-so-yummy Coconut-Carrot Cake.

9. Profiteroles

Who says you can’t serve up Profiteroles for Easter? I can’t get enough of these delicate little puffs with light and creamy custard. Chocolatey, vanilla-y, heavenly!

10. Scones

Before (or after!) a big Easter brunch, serve up some fruity scones with coffee or mimosas! Try these Strawberry Mascarpone Scones, Cranberry Scones, or Blueberry Scones with Lemon Glaze.