Description
This delightful Easter Bunny Poke Cake is a festive and fun dessert perfect for celebrating the holiday. It features a moist white or yellow cake filled with creamy vanilla pudding, topped with fluffy whipped topping, and decorated with colorful jelly beans, shredded coconut ears, and candy accents to create charming bunny faces. Easy to make and sure to impress, this poke cake combines classic flavors with adorable Easter-themed decorations.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 box (18.25 oz) white or yellow cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Pudding Filling
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
Topping and Decorations
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
- Pastel-colored jelly beans or candy-coated chocolates (e.g., M&M’s)
- 1 cup shredded coconut (dyed pink or left white for bunny ears)
- Optional: Candy eyes, licorice strips, or other decorations for bunny faces
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix and Bake Cake: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil. Stir until the batter is smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake according to the cake mix package instructions, usually about 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool and Poke Holes: Allow the baked cake to cool for 10 minutes. Then, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly across the entire surface of the cake. These holes will hold the pudding filling.
- Prepare Pudding and Fill Cake: In a separate bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until it thickens, about 2 minutes. Pour the pudding evenly over the cake, making sure it seeps into all the holes. Refrigerate the cake for 1 hour to set the pudding.
- Apply Whipped Topping: Once chilled, spread the whipped topping evenly over the surface of the cake, creating a smooth, fluffy layer.
- Decorate the Cake: Use pastel-colored jelly beans or candy-coated chocolates to create fun Easter patterns or bunny faces on top of the whipped topping. Sprinkle shredded coconut on the cake to form bunny ears if desired.
- Add Final Touches: Enhance the bunny faces by adding candy eyes, licorice strips for whiskers, or other creative decorations.
- Chill Before Serving: Place the decorated cake back into the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes to let all layers set properly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use a wooden spoon handle to gently poke holes without breaking the cake apart.
- For best results, use instant pudding mix as it sets quickly and firmly.
- Shredded coconut can be dyed using food coloring for more vibrant bunny ears.
- Customize decorations to suit your Easter theme or personal preferences.
- Keep the cake refrigerated until serving to maintain the structure and freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
