I asked the question at the beginning of the week…what the hell do I do with myself while my husband is away? Well that very night, probably inspired by the fab posts on crafting by my guest blogger Sara Davies, I investigated making Easter Cakes.
I’d seen a lovely idea from Grace over at Three Boys and a Cat for a Smartie Surprise cake and I thought that would be ace to do with eggs for easter. So once I had permission from Grace to rip off her idea, I was ready to go. The problem is I’m no baker. The last time I made a cake was in 2006. But with the help of Delia, I made a basic Victoria sponge and, with the help of Reuben’s finger foods book, I made a cream cheese (with lemon and sugar) icing. And here’s what I ended up with!
This is what you do…
Easter Cakes – Easter Egg Hunt Cake
1. Make your sponges – I used Delia’s basic sponge recipe and ideally you would have 3 layers and just cut a hole in the middle layer…but I’ve scrimped with 2 so it is doable!
2. Once the sponges are completely cold, start your cutting – Cut a hole in one sponge and half a hole in the other (you need it to still have a base). To do this I cut a circle and, although it’s not very technical, I then carefully dug out the circle with my fingers (clean, of course!). Don’t worry if looks a bit of a mess – it’s going to get covered in icing!
3. Ice the top of the lower sponge layer (put plenty on and you might also want some jam on first), place the other layer on top and pop the eggs in the middle – I’ve used one bag of mini eggs (which I was horrified to discover cost £1! £1?!?) but I would recommend you use plain chocolate or wrapped eggs as the mini eggs lose their ‘bite’ once they’ve been in the cake a while!
4. Put the lid on – for a perfect fit (since my cutting was not perfect), I cut the top circle in half and just popped that back in the hole. (The other two ‘half circles’ became a mini Victoria sponge cake for Reuben’s pudding the next day!)
5. Decorate a plate – with little chicks (being careful not to pull their heads off! I also thought those little wings were meant to be ears, which confused me for a while!) and more mini eggs…
6. Ice it like crazy – {to the tune of Miss You Like crazy – optional} I then left it in the fridge for a while (over night) so the icing would set.
7. Then you’re done! Get stuck in. I had some pals over who were literally stunned that I’d made a cake.
(forgive me I’ve been messing around with picmonkey!)
What do you think? Fancy giving it a go? What Easter Cakes will you be making! Feel free to link in the comments below!
And for pinterest purposes!…
This post is dedicated to Alex because she always makes me feel better and I miss her every day! xxx
Aww thank you honey!!I miss you toooOOooo! I am very impressed with this missy, looks delicious!xxxx
Will have to make you one to go with your champagne that I’ll have to buy you when we meet…!
Thats fantastic Hannah, I love the idea of an Easter Hunt cake, I must do this too!! Did you enjoy baking your first cake since 2006? I do love to bake.
Ha! Did I enjoy it? Errr, stressful! I was terrified I’d have to start again…;) it was your idea love! xx but yes make it and send me a photo. I think it would be even nicer as a chocolate cake with loads of yummy chocolate icing, don’t you think?! (like your smartie invention basically!) xx
Love it! Fab idea – can’t wait to make one 🙂 Roll on Easter weekend! Hope you’re not missing Mike too much. I’m looking forward to another guest post from him when he gets back 🙂
Aww, thanks Ally, I’ll tell him 🙂 And make one!! Will you send me a photo! I’ll have to start an album on Facebook 😀 xx
I love your cake. Such a clever idea. #TastyTuesdays
Oh good! Glad you liked it – the actual cake bit still isn’t my forte but I was pleased with how it looked! haha 😉
ooh yes, great idea. Love it
oh goodie! I hope your kiddies enjoy it too! xx
How utterly gorgeous is this cake, I adore your food styling and photography and only wish I could hire you to make me one! Wow x
bloody hell, thanks love!! High praise for my first cake in almost a decade 😉 xxx
Err, yum. Err, where’s my slice… #AllAboutYou
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Yum yum! We have a tradition in our family that my MIL always makes a traditional simnel cake so I won’t be baking this year but love your recipe – so simple but so effective. Have a wonderful Easter honey xx #thelist
Oh wow, yes best not to compete with that 😉 You’ll have to save for another time – or make a massive one and jump out of it for your hubby’s birthday! Haha! xx
Love this idea! and will definitely be trying this idea! x
Awesome!! Let me know how you get on – piccies please! xx
Oooh this looks yummy and not too tricky either – I’m not very good at baking so simple is important for me! Might have to try this one 🙂
#TheList
Dude, same here – I’m always getting something wrong when baking (no butter, forgetting the eggs, etc!) so the easier the better! xx
Looks yum! I have always wandered how you get the smarties or in this case mini eggs in the middle so simple thanks for sharing will have to give it a go my girls love to make cakes! x
Ah ha! All the secrets 🙂 Let me see the finished article if you do get around to it – although remember to use different eggs – the mini eggs went weird!! xx
Cake and sweets all in one-fab idea!x
It’s the perfect combination 😉 ummmmmm!
Fabulous idea! I had this on the screen whilst we are watching The Lion King, my 3 year old saw it and said ‘mummy can you keep that on the screen so I can look at it’. So you have definitely impressed my little man.
Thanks #TheList
Kat x
Hahaha! I nearly spat out my porridge! Kids are hilarious 🙂 one eye on the Lion King, one on some cake! Let me know if you make it Kat! xx
Great idea and great Easter surprise. Baking a cake today for Easter and going to do this. Thanks for hosting another great #TheList. Over from http://www.cookwithtoddlers.com/community
Oooh! Let me know how you get on!! xx
That cake looks very yummy – love the idea of filling the middle with eggs 🙂
It’s brill isn’t it?! Kind of detracts if the cake isn’t quite so yummy 😉
Oh wow that’s lush – have to try this! #TheList
Let me know how you get on!! xx
Awww what a great idea and it looks great too! Yummy!
🙂 thank you (and yes, very delicious!!) xx
Aww that’s a lovely cake and brilliant if you haven’t baked a cake since 2006! How have you not baked a cake since 2006? lol x
Hahaa! Just ain’t my thing love 😉 (I am clueless)
I’ve made a smarties cake before but wouldn’t think to do one with eggs for Easter! Will have to remember for next year xx
Don’t worry I’m sure I’ll be wheeling this post out every year – it’s my *only* Easter idea!! haha xxx
Considering you haven’t baked since 2006, huge round of applause! It looks fantastic – and love the idea of the middle being filled with eggs. I’m okay at baking but useless at decorating! So the frosting would have flummoxed me! Happy Easter xx
If I’m honest I don’t like the taste of frosting (unless it’s nutella!!) so just go with a bit of icing sugar I say! xx
Looks fab and I bet tastes divine. I’ve not baked anything for Easter this year (not even Hot Cross Buns) as we’re at my mums. I’ve already spied a simnel battenburg cake and one covered in chocolate frosting and we’ve already demolished a lemon meringue, so she’s been a very busy mummy in the kitchen – any chance of a diet is already shot to pieces!! Happy Easter x #thelist
Easter and diets are mutually exclusive I’m afraid!! Enjoy all those cakes – sounds amazing!! xx
Oh I am so pinning this to give it a go!!!!! I love cakes!
Haha! ME TOOOOOOO! xx
This is fab hun. 🙂 Happy Easter. x
Same to you love! And glad you like 🙂 xxx
That looks ace and so yummy!! Hope you have a lovely Easter x #thelist
You too lovely 🙂 xx
What an adorable Easter Cake! Such a great idea! 🙂
Sarah xx
Thanks Sarah! xx
That looks fab! I love the idea of hidden eggs! 🙂 xx
hehee! Me too (WANT SOME NOW!!)