Easter Bunny Poke Cake: Easy Dessert Everyone Will Love

Name: Easter Bunny Poke Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 155 min
Ingredients: 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box); food coloring gels (in pastel shades (pink, blue, yellow)); 3 oz instant vanilla pudding mix; 1.75 cups cold milk; 8 oz whipped topping (thawed); 1 cup white chocolate chips (melted); pastel sprinkles (for decoration); marshmallow bunny Peeps (optional, for garnish); mini chocolate eggs (optional, for garnish)

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This Easter Bunny Poke Cake is a springtime sensation that’ll have everyone hopping back for seconds! With its gorgeous pastel swirls, creamy pudding-filled pockets, and festive decorations, this showstopper dessert is as beautiful as it is delicious. When I brought this to our family Easter gathering last year, it disappeared faster than the Easter Bunny himself! The best part? It looks incredibly impressive but uses simple ingredients and techniques that anyone can master. Let’s create some Easter magic!

Why You’ll Love This Easter Bunny Poke Cake

Eye-Catching Presentation: The marbled pastel colors and festive toppings create a dessert that’s practically made for Instagram.
Make-Ahead Friendly: This cake actually improves with time in the refrigerator, making it perfect for busy holiday preparations.
Customizable Colors: Choose pastel shades that match your Easter decor or go with your personal favorites.
Ultra-Moist Texture: The pudding-filled pokes ensure every bite is incredibly tender and flavorful.

Ingredients

For the Cake

White cake mix: Our convenient base that creates the perfect canvas for those beautiful pastel colors.
Eggs, oil, and water: The standard additions that transform the mix into a fluffy, tender cake.
Food coloring gels: Create those gorgeous Easter-worthy pastel shades without altering the batter’s consistency.

For the Pudding Layer

Instant vanilla pudding mix: Seeps into the poked holes, creating pockets of creamy goodness throughout the cake.
Cold milk: Activates the pudding and keeps it flowing into those holes for maximum moisture.

For the Topping

Whipped topping: Creates a cloud-like layer that’s the perfect backdrop for our Easter decorations.
White chocolate chips: When melted and drizzled, they add a touch of elegance and extra sweetness.
Pastel sprinkles: Add that festive pop of color that makes this cake truly celebration-worthy.
Marshmallow bunny Peeps and mini chocolate eggs: The perfect Easter-themed garnishes that make this cake absolutely adorable.

Note: The exact measurements for all ingredients will be available in the recipe card below the article.

How to Make the Easter Bunny Poke Cake

Step 1: Create Your Colorful Canvas

Preheat that oven to 350°F and get your baking dish ready. Whip up the cake batter according to the package directions this is where the magic begins! Divide that creamy batter into three bowls and transform each one with a different pastel shade. The gel food coloring works beautifully here, giving you vibrant colors without thinning the batter. As you stir each bowl, you’ll see your Easter palette coming to life!

Step 2: Create the Marbled Magic

Now for the fun part! Drop spoonfuls of each colored batter into your baking dish, creating a patchwork of pastel perfection. Don’t worry about being too precise this casual approach creates the most beautiful marble effect! Once all the batter is in the pan, give it a gentle tap to release any air bubbles. Then, with a light hand, swirl those colors together just enough to create beautiful ribbons of color without muddying them together. It’s like creating edible art!

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Pop that colorful creation into the oven and let the heat work its magic. In about 30-35 minutes, your kitchen will be filled with the most amazing vanilla aroma, and your cake will be perfectly baked. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out clean and the edges just start to pull away from the pan. Let it cool slightly in the pan this brief cooling period makes the next step much easier.

Step 4: Poke and Pour

While the cake is still warm (this is important!), grab the handle of a wooden spoon and start poking holes all over the surface. There’s something oddly satisfying about this step! Meanwhile, whisk together your pudding mix and cold milk until it’s smooth but still pourable you want to catch it before it sets too firmly. Pour this creamy mixture all over your cake, making sure it fills those holes completely. The warm cake will help draw the pudding down into every nook and cranny!

Step 5: Chill for Flavor Magic

Now comes the hardest part patience! Let your cake cool completely, then cover it and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, though overnight is even better. During this time, something magical happens the pudding sets, the flavors meld, and the cake becomes incredibly moist and flavorful. Trust me, this waiting period is worth every minute!

Step 6: Decorate for Easter

Once your cake has chilled, it’s time for the finishing touches! Spread that fluffy whipped topping over the entire surface, creating a smooth, cloud-like layer. Drizzle with melted white chocolate for a touch of elegance, then let your creativity shine with the decorations! Arrange those adorable marshmallow bunnies, scatter mini eggs, and sprinkle those pastel sprinkles for a festive finish that screams “Easter celebration!”

Pro Tips for Making the Easter Bunny Poke Cake

Color Control: For the prettiest marbled effect, don’t overmix the colored batters when swirling just 3-4 passes with a knife or toothpick is plenty.
Perfect Pokes: Space your holes about an inch apart and make sure they go almost to the bottom of the cake for maximum pudding distribution.
Pudding Timing: Pour the pudding while it’s still quite liquid (about 2 minutes after mixing) so it flows easily into the holes.
Decoration Hack: For an easy “grass” effect, tint some shredded coconut with green food coloring and sprinkle it around your bunny Peeps.

How to Serve

This showstopper dessert is perfect for:

The centerpiece of your Easter dessert table
A special after-dinner treat during Easter weekend
A festive contribution to potluck gatherings
A colorful finale to your spring celebration meals

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead

This cake is actually better when made a day ahead! The flavors deepen and the texture becomes even more moist overnight.

Storing Leftovers

Cover any leftovers tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days the cake will stay moist thanks to the pudding layer.

Freezing

While you can freeze portions for up to a month, the texture of the whipped topping may change upon thawing. If planning to freeze, consider adding the topping and decorations after thawing.

FAQs

Can I use a homemade cake instead of a box mix?

Absolutely! Any white or vanilla cake recipe that makes enough for a 9×13-inch pan will work beautifully. Just make sure it’s not too dense, as you want the pudding to be able to penetrate the cake.

What if I don’t have gel food coloring?

Regular liquid food coloring will work, but you might need more drops to achieve vibrant colors. Just be careful not to add too much, as it can affect the cake’s texture.

Can I use a different flavor of pudding?

Definitely! Cheesecake, white chocolate, or even lemon pudding would be delicious alternatives that still complement the Easter theme.

How far in advance can I decorate the cake?

For the freshest appearance, add the whipped topping and decorations no more than 24 hours before serving. The marshmallow Peeps, in particular, can get sticky if they sit on the cake too long.

This Easter Bunny Poke Cake is the perfect blend of whimsy and deliciousness a dessert that brings joy with every colorful slice! The combination of tender cake, creamy pudding pockets, and fluffy topping creates an irresistible texture experience, while the festive decorations make it a true celebration centerpiece.

What I love most about this recipe is how it brings together convenience and creativity you start with simple ingredients but end with something truly spectacular. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just looking for a fun project to do with the kids this Easter, this poke cake delivers big on both flavor and presentation. So grab those food colors, line up your Peeps, and get ready to create a dessert that’s bound to become a new Easter tradition!