18 Beautiful Easter Cake Recipes to Bake This Year

Easter Sunday is almost here, and if your family is anything like mine, the dessert table is just as important as the main meal. Maybe you’ve been scrolling through Pinterest for hours, feeling a little overwhelmed by all the fancy, multi-layer creations that look beautiful but also look like they’d take all day to make.

I totally get it. You want something that feels special—maybe even a little impressive—but you also have ham to glaze, potatoes to mash, and a house to tidy up before the guests arrive. The good news? You don’t have to choose between “gorgeous” and “doable.”

I’ve gathered 18 beautiful Easter cake recipes that range from simple one-bowl snacks to stunning layer cakes that will have everyone reaching for their phones before they grab a fork. Whether you need something the kids can help decorate or an elegant dessert that looks like it came from a fancy bakery, there’s a perfect cake here waiting for your Easter table. Let’s get baking.

1. Classic Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

You can’t have an Easter dessert table without a classic carrot cake. It’s moist, spiced perfectly with cinnamon and nutmeg, and packed with shredded carrots and crunchy walnuts. Topped with a thick layer of tangy cream cheese frosting, it’s the cake that pleases everyone, every single time.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Recipe Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
• Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• In another bowl, beat oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Add eggs one at a time.
• Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Fold in carrots and walnuts.
• Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool completely.
• Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla. Frost the cooled cake.

2. Easter Egg Nest Cake

This cake looks like a beautiful bird’s nest, making it the perfect centerpiece for your Easter brunch. A simple chocolate cake is covered in chocolate frosting, then topped with a nest made of shredded wheat or chow mein noodles and filled with colorful candy eggs.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour
Servings: 10

Ingredients:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on box)
• 1 cup chocolate frosting
• 2 cups shredded wheat cereal or chow mein noodles
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted
• Assorted mini candy eggs

Recipe Steps:

• Prepare and bake the chocolate cake in two 8-inch round pans according to package directions. Cool completely.
• Stack the layers with a layer of frosting between them. Frost the entire outside of the cake with chocolate frosting.
• In a bowl, toss the cereal or noodles with the melted chocolate until coated.
• Pile the chocolate-coated mixture on top of the cake, forming a nest shape.
• Gently press the candy eggs into the nest before the chocolate sets.

3. Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake

Bright, citrusy, and bursting with juicy blueberries, this cake tastes like sunshine. The layers are moist and tender, and the lemon cream cheese frosting is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. It’s a refreshing dessert after a heavy Easter meal.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (tossed in 1 tbsp flour)
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Recipe Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease three 8-inch round pans.
• Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time.
• Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk. Mix in lemon zest and juice. Fold in blueberries.
• Divide batter among pans. Bake 25-30 minutes. Cool completely.
• Beat cream cheese and butter. Gradually add powdered sugar and lemon juice. Frost the cooled cake.

4. No-Bake Easter Basket Cake

This recipe is genius because it requires zero oven time and looks incredibly cute. It’s made by pressing a no-bake cheesecake or ice cream cake mixture into a bowl to form a basket shape, then decorating it with candy and a handle.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 30 minutes (plus 4 hours freezing)
Servings: 8

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• Assorted Easter candies
• Fruit roll-up or licorice for handle

Recipe Steps:

• Mix cookie crumbs and butter. Press most of the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a medium bowl lined with plastic wrap.
• Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
• Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks and fold into cream cheese mixture.
• Spoon filling into the crumb-lined bowl and smooth the top. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs.
• Freeze for at least 4 hours until firm. Unmold onto a plate.
• Fill the “basket” with candies and insert a fruit roll-up or licorice piece for the handle.

5. Coconut Raspberry Lamb Cake

A classic lamb-shaped cake is a traditional Easter treat in many families. This version uses a simple vanilla cake baked in a lamb mold, then covered in fluffy white coconut “fur” and decorated with raspberry jelly beans for the eyes and collar.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients:

• 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on box)
• 2 cups vanilla frosting
• 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
• Pink food coloring
• 2 red raspberry jelly beans
• Ribbon (optional)

Recipe Steps:

• Prepare cake mix according to package directions and bake in a greased and floured lamb-shaped mold. Cool completely.
• Place the cake on a serving platter. Frost the entire lamb with a thin layer of vanilla frosting.
• Sprinkle shredded coconut all over the frosting, pressing gently to make it stick and look like fur.
• Tint a small amount of coconut pink with food coloring and use it for the ears.
• Place jelly beans for the eyes and add a ribbon around the neck if desired.

6. Hot Cross Bun Cake

If you love the spiced, fruity flavor of hot cross buns, this cake is for you. It has all the warm spices, currants, and citrus zest of the classic Easter bun, but in an easy-to-slice loaf cake topped with the traditional white icing cross.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup milk
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1/2 cup currants or raisins
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 teaspoons milk

Recipe Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
• Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• Beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla.
• Alternately add dry ingredients and milk. Fold in orange zest and currants.
• Pour batter into pan and bake for 45-50 minutes. Cool completely.
• Mix powdered sugar and milk to make a thick icing. Pipe a cross on top of the loaf.

7. Easter Bunny Butt Cake

This is one of the most fun and popular Easter cakes out there. It’s made by baking two round cakes, stacking them, and carving them to look like a bunny’s fluffy bottom with legs and a cotton tail. Kids absolutely love it.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 boxes vanilla or chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed)
• 3 cups vanilla buttercream frosting
• 2 cups shredded coconut
• Pink food coloring
• 2 large marshmallows
• Pink jelly beans
• Black licorice

Recipe Steps:

• Bake cakes according to package directions: one in a 9-inch round pan and one in a 9-inch square pan. Cool.
• Place the square cake on a board. Cut the round cake in half and place the two halves above the square to form the bunny’s cheeks/back.
• Carve the square cake to form two leg shapes. Frost the entire cake with buttercream.
• Cover with shredded coconut. Place two marshmallows for the tail.
• Tint a small amount of coconut pink and use for the feet pads. Add jelly beans and licorice for details.

8. Hummingbird Cake

A Southern classic that’s perfect for spring, hummingbird cake is a moist, three-layer beauty packed with banana, crushed pineapple, and pecans. It’s topped with a rich cream cheese frosting and is absolutely irresistible.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained
• 2 cups mashed bananas
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar

Recipe Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease three 9-inch round pans.
• Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add eggs and oil, stirring until moist. Stir in vanilla, pineapple, bananas, and pecans.
• Divide batter among pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool completely.
• Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar. Frost the cooled cake.

9. Simple Easter Petit Fours

These tiny, bite-sized cakes look incredibly fancy but are surprisingly simple to make using a sheet cake and store-bought candy melts. They are perfect for an afternoon tea or as part of a larger dessert spread.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour (plus chilling)
Servings: 24

Ingredients:

• 1 box vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients listed)
• 1/2 cup apricot jam
• 24 oz white candy melting wafers
• Pastel food coloring
• Easter sprinkles

Recipe Steps:

• Bake the cake mix in a 9×13 inch pan according to directions. Cool completely.
• Trim the edges of the cake and cut it into small squares or rectangles.
• Heat the jam with a teaspoon of water and brush lightly over the cake pieces to seal in crumbs. Chill for 30 minutes.
• Melt the candy wafers and tint with pastel colors.
• Place a cake square on a fork and spoon the melted candy over it to coat. Tap off excess and place on a parchment-lined tray.
• Decorate with sprinkles before the coating sets.

10. Strawberry Shortcake Easter Cake

This cake is light, airy, and tastes like spring. Layers of tender vanilla cake are filled with fresh sliced strawberries and fluffy whipped cream. It’s not too heavy, making it a perfect afternoon dessert.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour
Servings: 10

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 4 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

Recipe Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round pans.
• Beat flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and butter until crumbly. Gradually add milk, eggs, and vanilla, beating until smooth.
• Divide batter between pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool completely.
• Whip heavy cream and powdered sugar to stiff peaks.
• Place one cake layer on a plate. Top with whipped cream and sliced strawberries. Add second layer and top with more whipped cream and berries.

11. Cadbury Mini Egg Cake

This cake is all about that crunchy, chocolatey candy shell. A rich chocolate cake is layered with chocolate buttercream and then completely covered in a mosaic of colorful Cadbury Mini Eggs. It’s a showstopper.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed)
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate buttercream frosting
• 2-3 cups Cadbury Mini Eggs

Recipe Steps:

• Prepare and bake the chocolate cake in two 8-inch round pans according to package directions. Cool completely.
• Spread a layer of frosting between the two cake layers. Frost the entire outside of the cake with a thin layer of chocolate buttercream.
• Gently press the Cadbury Mini Eggs into the frosting, covering the entire cake. Start at the bottom and work your way up.
• Fill in any gaps with smaller egg pieces. Chill briefly to set.

12. Almond Joy Easter Cake

If you’re a fan of coconut and chocolate, this cake is your dream come true. It features a moist coconut cake, a layer of chocolate ganache, and is covered in a fluffy almond frosting, reminiscent of the candy bar.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 cup cream of coconut
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• Toasted coconut and almonds for topping

Recipe Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round pans.
• Beat cake mix, cream of coconut, oil, and eggs. Fold in shredded coconut. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool.
• Heat heavy cream and pour over chocolate chips. Let sit, then stir until smooth for ganache.
• Beat butter, powdered sugar, and almond extract for frosting.
• Spread ganache between layers. Frost the outside with almond buttercream. Top with toasted coconut and almonds.

13. Pink Ombre Layer Cake

This cake is pure elegance. Using a simple vanilla cake batter divided into separate bowls and tinted with varying amounts of pink food coloring, you can create stunning gradient layers. It’s easier than it looks and always gets a “wow.”

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 boxes vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients listed)
• Pink gel food coloring
• 3 cups vanilla buttercream frosting
• Easter sprinkles for decoration

Recipe Steps:

• Prepare cake batter according to package directions.
• Divide batter evenly into 4 bowls. Leave one bowl plain. Add a drop of pink to the second, 2 drops to the third, and 3 drops to the fourth. Mix well.
• Bake each color in separate 6-inch or 8-inch pans according to directions. Cool completely.
• Level the cakes. Stack them with the lightest pink on bottom and darkest on top, with a layer of frosting between each.
• Frost the entire outside of the cake with a thin crumb coat, then a final layer of buttercream. Decorate with sprinkles.

14. Chocolate Hazelnut Easter Cake

Rich, decadent, and perfect for chocolate lovers. This cake layers moist chocolate cake with a creamy hazelnut spread filling and chocolate frosting. Top it with chopped chocolate hazelnut candies for an extra crunch.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed)
• 1 cup chocolate hazelnut spread (like Nutella)
• 1 cup chocolate frosting
• 1/2 cup chopped chocolate hazelnut candies (like Ferrero Rocher)

Recipe Steps:

• Prepare and bake the chocolate cake in two 9-inch round pans according to package directions. Cool completely.
• Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread the chocolate hazelnut spread evenly over the top.
• Place the second layer on top. Frost the entire cake with chocolate frosting.
• Press the chopped chocolate hazelnut candies around the bottom edge or sprinkle on top for decoration.

15. Bird’s Nest Cupcakes

Sometimes individual portions are easier, and these cupcakes are adorable. Bake your favorite vanilla or chocolate cupcakes, top with chocolate frosting, and create a little nest with toasted coconut or chow mein noodles. Add three mini eggs to each one.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 40 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1 box cake mix (any flavor) plus ingredients listed
• 1 cup chocolate frosting
• 1 1/2 cups toasted coconut or chow mein noodles
• 36 mini candy eggs (3 per cupcake)

Recipe Steps:

• Prepare and bake cupcakes according to package directions. Cool completely.
• Frost each cupcake with a generous swirl of chocolate frosting.
• Sprinkle the toasted coconut or chow mein noodles on top of the frosting to look like a nest.
• Gently press three mini candy eggs into the center of each “nest.”

16. Fresh Flower Cake

This is less of a recipe and more of a decorating idea, but it’s so beautiful. Bake a simple vanilla or lemon layer cake, frost it smoothly with white buttercream, and then decorate the top and sides with fresh, edible flowers like pansies, violets, or marigolds.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour
Servings: 10

Ingredients:

• 1 box white or lemon cake mix (plus ingredients listed)
• 2 cups vanilla buttercream frosting
• Assorted fresh edible flowers (pansies, violas, marigolds, herbs like mint or rosemary)

Recipe Steps:

• Prepare and bake the cake in two 9-inch round pans according to package directions. Cool completely.
• Stack and frost the cake with a smooth layer of vanilla buttercream.
• Arrange the fresh flowers on top of the cake in a beautiful pattern. You can also gently press small flowers into the sides.
• Refrigerate until serving. Place flowers on the cake just before serving to keep them fresh.

17. Caramel Apple Crumble Cake

This cake tastes like a warm, comforting dessert. A moist apple spice cake is layered with salted caramel and topped with a buttery oat crumble. It’s a wonderful alternative to fruit pies at the Easter table.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups diced apples
• 1/2 cup store-bought or homemade caramel sauce
• For crumble: 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup oats, 1/4 cup cold butter

Recipe Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
• Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Beat butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla.
• Alternately add dry ingredients and milk. Fold in diced apples.
• Pour half the batter into pan. Drizzle with half the caramel. Add remaining batter.
• Mix crumble ingredients and sprinkle on top.
• Bake for 45-55 minutes. Drizzle with remaining caramel after baking.

18. White Chocolate Raspberry Swirl Cake

This elegant cake features a tender white chocolate cake with ribbons of tangy raspberry jam swirling through each layer. Paired with a creamy white chocolate buttercream, it’s a beautiful and delicious spring dessert.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 4 oz white chocolate, melted and cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam
• 1 cup white chocolate buttercream
• Fresh raspberries for topping

Recipe Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round pans.
• Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time.
• Mix in melted white chocolate and vanilla. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk.
• Divide batter between pans. Drop spoonfuls of jam on top and swirl with a knife.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool completely.
• Frost with white chocolate buttercream and top with fresh raspberries.