Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This cake offers a delightful combination of fluffy white cake and colorful swirls that are both eye-catching and fun. The simple ingredients come together quickly, and the frosting is smooth and creamy. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this Swirled Easter Cake is incredibly easy to make and perfect for impressing guests. The pastel colors are perfect for springtime, and it’s a great way to get into the Easter spirit.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1 box white cake mix
1/4 cup water
4 egg whites
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp clear vanilla extract
Blue, pink, yellow food coloring (or your preferred colors)
Pastel sprinkles, Easter sprinkles, or candies

For the Frosting:

1/2 cup butter (softened)
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2-4 tablespoons heavy cream
Food coloring (optional)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

For the Cake:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9” x 13” baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, egg whites, vegetable oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until combined, then increase to medium speed and beat for 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
Pour 2 cups of the cake batter into the prepared baking dish. Then, divide the remaining batter into three separate bowls (about 1/2 cup of batter in each bowl).
Add a different color food coloring to each bowl and mix until the colors are evenly distributed.
Drop dollops of each colored batter randomly over the white cake batter in the pan. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the colored batters into the white batter. Be careful not to overdo it, as too much mixing can result in a single color rather than swirls.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.

For the Frosting:

Beat the softened butter in a large mixing bowl until it becomes light and fluffy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add the salt, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Beat for 1 minute, checking the frosting’s consistency. If the frosting is too thick, add more cream, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired spreadable consistency.
If you prefer colored frosting, add a few drops of food coloring and mix until you get the desired color.
Frost the cooled cake with the prepared frosting. Garnish with pastel sprinkles, Easter-themed sprinkles, or candies for a festive touch.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 12 servings
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total time: 1 hour

Variations

Gluten-Free: Substitute the white cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix and ensure the other ingredients are gluten-free.
Vegan: Use a dairy-free cake mix, swap the eggs for an egg replacer, and substitute dairy-free butter and non-dairy cream for the frosting.
Different Frosting: You can make chocolate frosting instead of vanilla or add a touch of lemon or almond extract to the frosting for a twist.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It can be served chilled or at room temperature, though the frosting with heavy cream should be kept refrigerated.
Reheating: If you prefer your cake warm, simply microwave a slice for 10-15 seconds or let it sit at room temperature for a bit before serving.

FAQs

How can I make the cake less sweet?

If you want to reduce the sweetness, you can decrease the amount of powdered sugar in the frosting by half. You could also choose to use less food coloring in the cake to minimize the flavor from the food coloring.

Can I use a regular vanilla extract instead of clear vanilla extract?

Clear vanilla extract helps maintain the bright colors of the cake batter. If you don’t have clear vanilla, you can use regular vanilla extract, but it may slightly affect the appearance of the swirls.

Can I make this cake in advance?

Yes! The cake can be baked and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days before frosting. Make sure to refrigerate the cake if you’re storing it before adding frosting.

Can I use more than three colors in the cake?

While you can use more colors, it’s best to limit yourself to three distinct colors (e.g., blue, pink, and yellow) so the swirls remain visually distinct and don’t turn into one muddy color.

Can I use a different type of cake mix?

Yes! You can use a yellow cake mix or any other flavor you prefer. Just ensure you adjust the ingredients as needed for the specific cake mix you choose.

What’s the best way to get the swirls just right?

To get perfect swirls, drop the colored batters in a random pattern over the white batter and use a butter knife to gently swirl. Be careful not to overmix; you want defined swirls, not a fully blended cake.

Can I add more flavor to the frosting?

Yes! You can add a small amount of citrus zest (like lemon or orange) to the frosting for a fresh flavor, or even a tablespoon of cocoa powder for a chocolate variation.

How do I make the frosting smoother?

If your frosting looks a bit grainy or too thick, add more heavy cream a tablespoon at a time and beat until smooth.

Can I add fresh fruit as a topping?

Absolutely! Fresh berries, such as raspberries or strawberries, make a lovely addition to the top of the cake for extra flavor and a fresh look.

Is this cake suitable for a birthday party?

Yes! This cake is perfect for birthdays, especially for spring or Easter birthdays. The colorful swirls and festive sprinkles make it a great choice for celebrations.

Conclusion

This Swirled Easter Cake is not only a showstopper with its vibrant colors but also an easy-to-make dessert that’s sure to delight everyone. The combination of light cake, creamy frosting, and festive sprinkles will make it a hit at your Easter celebration or any spring gathering. Whether you’re a beginner baker or an experienced one, this cake is a fun, quick, and tasty way to bring a little joy to your table. Enjoy!

Swirled Easter Cake

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Author: Chef Sara
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 servings
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Swirled Easter Cake is the perfect vibrant dessert to brighten up your Easter celebrations. Featuring fluffy white cake and colorful pastel swirls, it’s both visually stunning and delicious. With simple ingredients and easy steps, this beginner-friendly cake is ideal for any springtime gathering, making it a festive treat for your Easter table.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9” x 13” baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, egg whites, vegetable oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until combined, then increase to medium speed and beat for 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
Pour 2 cups of the cake batter into the prepared baking dish. Then, divide the remaining batter into three separate bowls (about 1/2 cup of batter in each bowl).
Add a different color food coloring to each bowl and mix until the colors are evenly distributed.
Drop dollops of each colored batter randomly over the white cake batter in the pan. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the colored batters into the white batter. Be careful not to overdo it, as too much mixing can result in a single color rather than swirls.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
For the frosting, beat the softened butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add the salt, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Beat for 1 minute, checking the frosting’s consistency. If the frosting is too thick, add more cream, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired spreadable consistency.
If you prefer colored frosting, add a few drops of food coloring and mix until you get the desired color.
Frost the cooled cake with the prepared frosting. Garnish with pastel sprinkles, Easter-themed sprinkles, or candies for a festive touch.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, substitute the white cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix and ensure the other ingredients are gluten-free.
To make a vegan cake, use a dairy-free cake mix, swap the eggs for an egg replacer, and substitute dairy-free butter and non-dairy cream for the frosting.
You can swap vanilla extract for lemon or almond extract in the frosting for a flavor twist.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American