Oh my goodness, friends, get ready to create the most adorable and delicious Easter centerpiece ever! This Easy Pastel Easter Cake is a breeze to make, and it’s bursting with vibrant pastel colors and sweet vanilla flavor. We’re talking a fluffy white cake swirled with delightful pastel hues and topped with a creamy, dreamy frosting and festive sprinkles. Perfect for Easter brunch, a spring celebration, or just a fun baking project with the kids. And guess what? Itโs so simple, even if youโre not a seasoned baker, youโll have a masterpiece in no time!
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Super Easy: Starts with a cake mix, so itโs quick and foolproof!
- Beautiful and Festive: The pastel swirls and sprinkles make it perfect for Easter.
- Fun to Make: A great project for kids and adults alike.
- Deliciously Moist: The sour cream makes this cake extra moist and tender.
Ingredients Youโll Need
Cake Ingredients
- White Cake Mix: The base of our easy, delicious cake.
- Water: Adds moisture to the batter.
- Egg Whites: Makes the cake light and fluffy.
- Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and tenderness.
- Sour Cream: Makes the cake extra moist and tangy.
- Clear Vanilla Extract: Adds pure vanilla flavor without affecting the color.
- Blue, Pink, and Yellow Food Coloring (Gel or Liquid): Creates the beautiful pastel swirls.
- Pastel-Colored Sprinkles: For a festive, decorative touch.
Frosting Ingredients
- Butter (Softened): The base of our creamy frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor.
- Heavy Cream (or Milk): Adjusts the consistency of the frosting.
- Food Coloring (Optional): To tint the frosting if desired.
Variations
- Different Flavors: Add lemon or almond extract to the cake batter for a flavor twist.
- Layer Cake: Use two 8-inch round pans to make a layered pastel cake.
- Cupcakes: Divide the batter into cupcake liners for individual pastel treats.
- Fruit Filling: Add a layer of fruit filling, like strawberry or raspberry jam, between cake layers (if using layered method).
How to Make Easy Pastel Easter Cake
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: Mix Cake Batter
In a large bowl, beat cake mix, water, egg whites, oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer. Mix on low for 30 seconds, then on medium for 2 minutes.
Step 3: Pour Base Layer
Pour 2 cups of the batter into the prepared pan.
Step 4: Color the Batter
Divide the remaining batter into 3 bowls. Add blue, pink, and yellow food coloring to each bowl.
Step 5: Swirl the Colors
Place spoonfuls of colored batter randomly on top of the white batter. Run a knife back and forth to swirl the colors.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool
Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Step 8: Make Frosting
Whip butter for 1-2 minutes until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and salt, mix on low to medium for 1 minute. Add vanilla and 2 tablespoons of cream, beat for 1 minute. Add more cream as needed for desired consistency. Whip for 1 more minute.
Step 9: Frost and Decorate
Frost the cooled cake and decorate with Easter sprinkles.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter and frosting.
- Donโt Overmix: Mix the batter just until combined to keep the cake tender.
- Cool Completely: Let the cake cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors with less liquid.
How to Serve
- Easter Brunch: A festive addition to your Easter brunch table.
- Spring Celebrations: Perfect for any spring-themed party or gathering.
- Dessert Table: A beautiful and delicious centerpiece for any dessert table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing
Freeze unfrosted cake in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and frost before serving.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of cake mix?
Yes, you can use a yellow or vanilla cake mix instead of white.
2. Can I use a different type of frosting?
Yes, you can use buttercream or whipped cream frosting.
3. How do I prevent the colors from blending too much?
Gently swirl the colors with a knife and donโt overmix.
4. Can I make this in a different pan?
Yes, you can use two 9-inch round pans or cupcake liners. Adjust baking time accordingly.
Conclusion
This Easy Pastel Easter Cake is a must-bake for anyone who loves a fun, festive treat! Itโs simple, delicious, and perfect for any Easter celebration. So, grab your ingredients and letโs get baking! Youโre going to love every colorful bite!
PrintEasy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe!
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Pastel Easter Cake is a festive and delightful dessert, perfect for celebrating Easter. A moist white cake is swirled with pastel-colored batters and topped with a creamy frosting and Easter sprinkles.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients:
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1/4 cup water
- 4 egg whites
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1–2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
- Blue, pink, and yellow food coloring (either gel or liquid)
- Pastel-colored sprinkles
Frosting Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened (not melted)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2–4 teaspoons heavy cream or milk
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat cake mix, water, egg whites, oil, sour cream, and clear vanilla extract. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds or until combined. Scrape the edges of the bowl. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes more, scraping the edges occasionally.
- Pour White Batter: Pour 2 cups of the batter into the prepared pan.
- Color Remaining Batter: Divide the remaining batter between 3 medium bowls (about ยฝ cup each). Add a few drops of blue, pink, and yellow food coloring (one color per bowl) to the batter, stirring well after each drop, until the batter reaches the desired color.
- Swirl Colors: Place spoonfuls of each colored batter in random places on top of the white batter. Run a butter knife back and forth through the batter to swirl the added color.
- Bake Cake: Bake cake for 30-35 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
- Make Frosting: With an electric mixer, whip the butter for 1-2 minutes until it is lighter in color and a bit fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and salt. Beat on low to medium speed for about 1 minute until well combined, occasionally scraping the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla and 2 tablespoons of cream and beat for one minute. (If adding food coloring to the frosting, incorporate that now.) Slowly add more cream, if necessary, to get the desired consistency. Whip for 1 more minute or until light and fluffy.
- Frost and Decorate: Frost and decorate the cake with Easter sprinkles.
Notes
- Using clear vanilla extract helps maintain the bright pastel colors.
- Gel food coloring provides more vibrant colors than liquid food coloring.
- Adjust the amount of food coloring to achieve your desired pastel shades.
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
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