Easter is just around the corner. A little later than usual, this year it falls on Sunday, April 17.

Why so late?

The BBC tells us that Easter must always fall on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox.  In 2022 the first full moon after the 21st of, March is Saturday 16 April.  Thus Easter is on Sunday 17 April.

Many people celebrate Easter to remember Jesus’ resurrection and to celebrate the Easter bunny. Easter also has some staple traditions that many families follow in the United States, such as an Easter egg hunt, going to church, and making delicious food. 

One such special food you can make for your loved ones is a Bunny Cake. I have made this cake for many years for friends and family.  Everyone loves it. Clara, LHS Senior, my friend and dessert addict, says the cake is “cute and delicious.” Keep reading for directions and full recipe!

Ingredients:

Cake 

• 2 cups plain / all-purpose flour  
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 4 large eggs (50 – 55g / 2 oz. (about 59.15 ml (about 2 oz.)) each), at room temp  
• 1 1/2 cups caster / superfine sugar  
• 115g / 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1.5cm / 1/2” cubes (or so) 
• 1 cup milk, full fat 3 tsp vanilla extract, the best you can afford  
• 3 tsp vegetable or canola oil  

Vanilla Buttercream 

• 225g / 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened 
• 500g / 1 lb. soft icing sugar / powdered sugar, sifted 
• 3 tsp vanilla extract 
• 2 – 4 tbsp. milk, to adjust thickness 

Decorating 

• 3 ¾ cups flaked coconut 
• 30 small jellybeans 
• 4 red licorices 
• Food coloring 

DIRECTIONS

FOR THE CAKE: 

• Preheat oven to 350°F  
• Grease a 2 x 20cm / 8” cake pans with butter, then line with parchment / baking paper.  
• Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.  
• Beat eggs for 30 seconds on a medium speed with an attachment, or hand beater. 
• While the egg are still being beaten, pour the sugar in slowly. 
• Beat the combined mixture for 7 minutes on a high speed, they should look tripled in size and white. 
• Gently add flour to the beaten eggs and sugar. 
•  Whisk milk, butter, vanilla, and oil into a bowl.  Then, mix that mixture into the flour mixture. Use a whisk to mix until smooth. 

  

BAKE: 

• Pour batter into pans
• Knock out bubbles: Bang each cake pan on the counter 
• Bake 30 minutes or until golden  

VANILLA BUTTERCREAM: 

• Beat butter with a stand mixer for 4 minutes on high until it changes from yellow to almost white. 
• Add icing sugar / powdered sugar gradually. After gradually mixed beat on high for a full 3 minutes until fluffy. 
• Add vanilla and milk, then beat for 30 seconds. 

CREATING THE BUNNY: 

• After the cake is cooled cut 2 convex shaped ears from each side of the second layer, place on each side of head to form ears. Use concave shaped piece for the bowtie, place about 1/2 inch below head. 
• After you have created a bunny shape frost the entire cake.  
• Pat coconut over the top and sides.  
• Decorate the bunny face and bowtie with jellybeans, licorice, and icing.