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Festive Easter Cake from a Box Mix

Take a simple box cake mix to the next level with buttermilk, melted butter, extra eggs, vanilla, and cream cheese frosting for an easy, festive Easter dessert. 12 - 15 servings
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
decorating, cooling time1 hour
Total Time2 hours
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: box cake mix, cream cheese frosting, doctored cake mix, Easter cake, Easter dessert
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Mary

Equipment

  • 13 x 9-inch baking pan
  • mixer
  • parchment paper
  • piping bags and tips

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 1 box strawberry cake mix
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • Buttermilk same amount as water listed on box
  • Melted butter same amount as oil listed on box
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 3 - 4 cups confectioners’ sugar sifted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional Decorations

  • Gel food coloring
  • Easter egg sprinkles
  • Jelly beans
  • Foil-wrapped chocolate eggs
  • Mini chocolate bunnies or chicks

Instructions

To make Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 13 x 9-inch pan with baking spray and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
  • Prepare cake mix using these substitutions: use 4 eggs instead of 3, replace water with buttermilk, replace oil with melted butter, and add vanilla. Mix until combined, then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 34–38 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Cool completely, then lift cake from pan using parchment and transfer to serving platter.

To make Frosting

  • Beat butter on medium speed until creamy (about 3 minutes). Add cream cheese and mix until smooth. Add salt and vanilla.
  • Add confectioners’ sugar gradually on low speed until combined, then beat on medium for 1 minute. Adjust sweetness as desired.
  • Frost cooled cake. Tint frosting with gel coloring if desired.
  • Decorate with sprinkles, candies, or piped frosting. Slice and serve.

Notes

  • Strawberry cake mix gives a pretty pastel color, but lemon, white, yellow, or chocolate cake mixes also work beautifully.
  • Line your pan with parchment for easy removal.
  • Chill frosting slightly before piping decorations if needed.
    To stiffen store-bought frosting for piping, mix in about 1 cup confectioners’ sugar.