One of my favorite desserts I have made recently was our cake for Easter. It didn’t take all that long to make and was seriously adorable. I wanted something for spring but wasn’t interested in an “Easter” cake. I wanted something fun and cute but delicious as well.
This was a huge hit with all the kids especially but even the adults liked it. I will admit to taking my Peep off and sharing it with my niece who likes them more than I do. One thing that was pointed out to me was how the Peeps make the cake slicing easy because they give you a guide. Nice! My cake is too big layers but feel free to adjust that however you like.
I used a box cake mix (as I always do) and jazzed it up a bit. I have never had a complaint on my cakes when I do them this way and they are moist and delicious. But, as always, feel free to make from scratch if you are so inclined. I won’t ever fault someone for going the extra mile when it comes to baking. I just know it isn’t my thing. By the way, I know this calls for Peeps but you can get them all the time now so that isn’t a big deal, right? Heck, it is weeks past Easter and I still see them on store shelves. But, if you can’t find them (hello Amazon.com!), you can alway save this recipe for next year. I promise your family and friends will love it. So, without further ado…
Springtime Sunflower Cake
Ingredients
1 package yellow cake mix (or 2 if you want the big layers)
2 cans chocolate frosting
20 yellow chick Peeps candies
1 - 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Butter, milk, eggs according to package (see notes below)
Instructions
Prepare and bake the cake mix incorporating the changes called for in the notes below. Use 2 parchment-paper lined, greased, or otherwise prepared 9-in. round baking pans.
Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks. Remove paper if you have used it.
Make layers flat if necessary. Spread frosting between layers and over the top and sides of cake.
For petals, arrange Peeps around the edge of cake, curving them slightly to make circle.
For the sunflower seeds, arrange the chocolate chips in center of cake with points up.
Notes
I do not use suggested ingredients for cake mixes. Add 1 extra egg, use milk instead of water, and use butter instead of oil, doubling the amount of butter.
See the white edges of the Peeps? I separated the Peeps before applying to the cake, but you can try to get them around the edge without separating if you don’t want the white edges. They don’t bother me. Also, if you are running short on time, you can always do what I do and use the freezer to help cool the cakes down completely.
This cake would be adorable to take to a gathering at work, friend’s house, or just for a fun dessert for your family. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
I know not everyone is a Peeps fan (I’m really not), but you can’t deny that this is cute! Would you use Peeps in a dessert even if you didn’t like them?
My kids will love making this cute cake. My friend loves Peeps and you could use any of them for the holidays they make them for xmas too. So cute thanks for the cute cake.