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Surprise-Inside Easter Candy Layer Cake

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By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated Mar 2, 2023
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When only over-the-top will do, this is the cake for you! A springtime festival of color on a pretty platter, this is the ultimate "wow" cake to bring out at your Easter party or any occasion that calls for a second-to-none impressive dessert. The base of the cake is your shortcut step, using Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Yellow Cake Mix, and from there, decorating with panache is the name of the game. The surprise-inside effect is easy to achieve by following the steps outlined in this recipe. Fill the center of the cake with candies and pastel-colored sprinkle mix for a colorful surprise that spills out of the cake when it's cut open. Ombre frosting is made more achievable with Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy Vanilla Frosting tinted with pastel gel food colors that deliver the exact shades you need without extra testing and fuss. The top of the cake is its crowning glory, with a ring of pink frosting dollops and wall-to-wall sprinkles.

Surprise-Inside Easter Candy Layer Cake

  • Prep Time 60 min
  • Total 5 hr 0 min
  • Servings 16
  • Ingredients 10
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Spray bottoms and sides of two 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray.
  • Step 
    2
    In large bowl, beat 1 box cake mix and ingredients called for on box with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide evenly between pans.
  • Step 
    3
    Bake 28 to 33 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, repeat mixing and baking with second box of cake mix to make 2 more layers.
  • Step 
    4
    Flatten cake layers by trimming off round tops. In 2 layers, cut small round out of center, using 4-inch round cutter. In small bowl, mix chocolate candies, mini eggs, baking chips and 1/2 cup of the sprinkles; set aside.
  • Step 
    5
    To assemble cake: Place 1 uncut cake layer on serving plate; spread 1/3 cup frosting on top. Top with 1 layer with center removed; spread 1/3 cup frosting on top. Top with second layer with center removed; spread 1/3 cup frosting on top.
  • Step 
    6
    Fill cake with candies and sprinkles mixture. Gently press candies to level; top with full cake layer. Frost top and side of cake with 1 1/2 cups frosting. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
  • Step 
    7
    In medium bowl, place 1 1/2 cups of the frosting; stir in pink food color until blended. Fit decorating bag with 1/2-inch round piping tip; fill with 3/4 cup pink frosting. Set decorating bag and pink frosting aside. In 1 small bowl, place 1/4 cup of the frosting; stir in yellow food color until blended. In another small bowl, place 1/4 cup frosting, stir in green food color until blended.
  • Step 
    8
    Using photo as a guide, spread 1/2 cup of the pink frosting on top of cake, reserving remaining pink frosting for top third of cake. Starting on side, spread yellow frosting on bottom third of cake. In middle third of cake, spread green frosting so green frosting overlaps yellow frosting. On upper third of cake, spread remaining pink frosting so pink frosting overlaps green frosting.
  • Step 
    9
    To blend colors together on side of cake: Using an icing spatula, starting at bottom edge of cake, lightly blend and barely smooth colors in an upward motion toward top edge of cake; wipe spatula clean with paper towel. Repeat blending of frosting and wiping off spatula. Smooth top if needed. Pipe frosting mounds around top edge of cake. Sprinkle remaining 3 tablespoons candy sprinkles in center.
  • Step 
    10
    Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Nutrition

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