Easter is the perfect time to think outside of the cake box. It’s that special time of year when colorful buds are popping through the grass, and indoor-crazed families are sighing with relief at the return of spring. Whether you are religious or not, Easter is an opportunity to rejoice the arrival of a new season, and in my world, rejoicing means cake. (Well, sometimes, champagne, too.) These 6 fabulous Easter cake recipes are as gorgeous as a sunny spring day and the perfect way to celebrate the holiday—or any spring fete.
Related: 6 Easter cake pops almost too cute to eat.
I know that I said you should think outside the box but, well, no one has to know that the gorgeous Spring Lemon Cake at Brit+Co (above) is made with cake mix and prepared frosting. A little lemon juice takes the cake beyond basic vanilla, but this one really is all about the decorating. Make sure to have plenty of fun pastel colored sprinkles and Easter candy eggs on hand.
Everything about this Upside Down Plum and Olive Oil Cake at My Name is Yeh screams fabulous, including the fact that it doesn’t have to be iced or painstakingly decorated. It even has a secret ingredient. (Hint: It’s one of my favorite ways to rejoice.) This cake may seem all grown up, which it definitely is, but the moist crumb with brown sugar and plums will get oohs and aahs from the little ones, too. I promise. The recipe makes two cakes—perfect if you need a host/hostess gift.
Related: 6 cool cakes for Easter that are actually easier than they look. No pastry degree required.
The Best Carrot Cake at Adora’s Box is a classic Easter cake recipe guaranteed to please even the Easter Bunny herself. Buttermilk and oil promise a tender crumb, while cream cheese and powdered sugar create a rich, velvety, sweet layer of frosting that—let’s be honest—is the real reason we love carrot cake so much. A hidden (easy!) brown butter and orange glaze take this carrot cake to the next level.
Pro tip: Be careful to take your browned butter off the heat as soon as it turns golden brown so that it doesn’t burn.
I love a retro-looking bundt cake, and this Candied Lemon Cake at The Cake Blog might be my new favorite. Bursting with bright lemon flavor, this straightforward recipe yields the type of cake that you can enjoy with coffee, as an afternoon snack (maybe post-nap—doesn’t that sound dreamy?), or as a special dessert. Just don’t skip the candied lemons. As Carrie notes, they do require a little babying, but they can be made up to a week ahead of time.
Here is your show-off centerpiece cake: a Six-Layer Coconut Covered Chocolate Peeps Cake at Half Baked Harvest. But first let me note that you can totally do this in 3 layers. Coconut is sometimes a divisive ingredient, but the colored frosting layers inside (that you have to pop over to see) make the most gorgeous, fun-to-eat chocolate slice that kids and adults of all ages will love.
Related: 8 spectacularly gorgeous Easter cakes that you can bake at home. Honest!
Gluten-Free Boston Cream Pie at Love, Cake is one of those miracle desserts that is both rich in taste and light in texture. Samantha creates a winning combination of creamy custard and a gluten-free cake made of almond flour, all topped with a silky chocolate glaze. Just don’t be upset if this cake steals the spotlight from your breakfast frittata.
