If you are searching for a delightful dessert to brighten up your spring celebrations, this Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe is exactly the treat you need. It combines vibrant, pastel-colored swirls of cake with a dreamy, fluffy frosting that’s simply irresistible. Perfectly moist, lightly sweet, and bursting with joyful colors, this cake is sure to bring smiles to your Easter table and become a beloved tradition for years to come. The ease of preparation and stunning pastel effect make it a fun project to bake with kids, friends, or family, turning ordinary ingredients into a festive masterpiece.

Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

To nail this Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe, you’ll rely on simple pantry staples that come together beautifully to create a rich, tender cake with velvety frosting. Each ingredient plays an important role in balancing flavor, texture, and color, so having them ready will make your baking journey smooth and rewarding.

1 box white cake mix: Provides a reliable, fluffy base that’s lightly sweet and perfect for pastel colors.
¼ cup water: Helps hydrate the batter to just the right consistency for moistness.
4 egg whites: Adds structure and lightness without overwhelming the delicate flavors.
½ cup vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender, ensuring every bite is soft.
1 cup sour cream: Enhances richness and gives the cake a subtle tang that balances sweetness.
1-2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract: Adds fragrant warmth without darkening the batter’s color.
Blue, pink, and yellow food coloring (gel or liquid): Essential for creating the beautiful pastel swirls that make this cake special.
Pastel-colored sprinkles: Adds a festive crunch and extra visual appeal on top.
½ cup butter (softened, not melted): The base for a smooth, creamy frosting that whips up light and fluffy.
2 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting for perfect spreading.
¼ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the flavor depth.
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract: Brings a rich, comforting aroma to the frosting.
2-4 teaspoons heavy cream or milk: Adjusts frosting texture to airy perfection.
Optional food coloring for frosting: Use if you want to echo pastel themes in your frosting too.

How to Make Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly; this ensures your cake releases seamlessly after baking and keeps those pretty pastel swirls intact.

Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, egg whites, vegetable oil, sour cream, and clear vanilla extract. Beat on low speed for about 30 seconds until ingredients start to come together, then scrape the bowl’s edges to incorporate everything evenly. Increase the mixer to medium speed and beat for another 2 minutes, which develops a smooth, airy batter perfect for a light cake.

Step 3: Pour Base Batter

Pour about 2 cups of this batter into your greased pan. This white base will create a lovely neutral background for the colorful swirls you’ll add shortly.

Step 4: Color the Batter

Divide the remaining batter equally among three medium bowls. To each bowl, add a few drops of the blue, pink, and yellow food coloring to create soft pastel hues. Stir gently but thoroughly after each addition so you can control just how delicate or vibrant your colors appear.

Step 5: Create the Pastel Swirls

Drop spoonfuls of each colored batter randomly over the plain batter in the pan. Use a butter knife to glide through the batter back and forth, creating whimsical swirls that look like Easter celebrations frozen in cake form.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place your cake in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before moving on to frosting—this step ensures you don’t melt the delicious frosting later.

Step 7: Whip Up the Frosting

Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter for 1-2 minutes until it lightens in color and becomes fluffy. Mix in powdered sugar and salt on a low to medium speed for about a minute, scraping the bowl as needed. Add vanilla and 2 tablespoons of cream, beating for another minute. If you desire tinted frosting to match your pastel theme, add food coloring now. Slowly add more cream one teaspoon at a time until your frosting reaches a light, spreadable consistency, then whip for a final minute to ensure it’s fluffy.

Step 8: Frost and Decorate

Spread the luscious frosting evenly over your cooled cake. Finally, sprinkle pastel-colored sprinkles on top to add extra charm and texture. This vibrant cake will catch everyone’s eye and warm their hearts.

How to Serve Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe

Garnishes

For an extra touch of festive spirit, garnish your cake with edible flowers, more pastel sprinkles, or tiny sugar pearls. These fun additions bring a fresh, whimsical look that complements the pastel theme and enchants all who see it.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with light, spring-inspired sides like fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These additions provide contrasting textures and tastes that make each bite unforgettable.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving this cake on a vintage pastel plate or a rustic wooden board to highlight its vibrant colors. For gatherings, consider cutting the cake into small squares for convenient, bite-sized treats that showcase the colorful swirls beautifully. You could also top individual slices with a sprig of mint or edible flower to amp up the Easter vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe stays fresh for 3-4 days when covered tightly and refrigerated. Keeping it chilled preserves the frosting’s texture and the cake’s moistness, so you can enjoy every slice as much as the first.

Freezing

If you want to save your cake for longer, you can freeze it either frosted or unfrosted. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator to maintain that moist, tender crumb.

Reheating

For a gently warm slice, bring your cake to room temperature before serving. If you prefer, microwave a single slice in short bursts (10-15 seconds), but be careful not to melt the frosting too much. This way, you get a soft, cozy treat perfect for any time of day.

FAQs

Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of clear?

You can substitute regular vanilla extract if clear is unavailable, but keep in mind it may slightly tint the batter, affecting the pastel colors’ vibrancy. Clear vanilla is ideal for maintaining those delicate hues.

Is it necessary to use sour cream in the batter?

Sour cream adds moisture and a subtle tang that makes the cake tender and flavorful. You could substitute with Greek yogurt or buttermilk for a similar effect, but the texture might vary slightly.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free white cake mix as a one-to-one substitute, and check your other ingredients for gluten content. The pastel effect and frosting will still come out beautifully.

What type of food coloring works best?

Gel food coloring is recommended for vibrant pastel shades since it’s more concentrated and won’t thin the batter. However, liquid coloring can also work if you add carefully and in small amounts.

How do I avoid the colors blending too much?

When swirling the colored batters, use a gentle hand with your knife to create distinct but soft swirls. Overmixing can muddy the colors, so a light swirl is best to preserve that lovely Easter look.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe is such a joy to make and share, bringing bright pastel cheer and comforting flavors to your Easter festivities. Its simple ingredients, playful colors, and luscious frosting truly make it a standout dessert that’s as fun to bake as it is to eat. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and see how it brings smiles all around your table!