Need to entertain the kids this Easter Season? This fun and simple Easter Kit Kat Cake tutorial is the perfect family activity that everyone will love to make and eat! This delicious chocolate cake recipe can easily be customized as a Kit Kat birthday cake, baby shower cake, or used for any other special celebration!
You don’t have to be a master baker or decorator to get an exciting Easter basket cake! This kit kat cake is perfect for beginners or even kids to make! And when you are done you have a stunning easter centerpiece that will shine on your dessert table!
Want other fun Spring desserts to make with your kids? Try our fun Rainbow cake tutorial, or these fun Spring Flower Pot cupcakes.
We have made this easter basket kit kat cake as a family for several years now. It’s different every time, but it is always fun!
One year I didn’t have time to bake the cake from scratch like I usually do. And we were all sick. But I had promised them we’d make our Easter basket kit kat cake. I didn’t want to let them down. So I “cheated” and bought a basic cake from the grocery store and had the kids help me decorate it that year.
So, as I update this easter basket cake recipe, I am including some photos of the new updated Easter basket cake along with the photos of the “from scratch” original cake from 2013 (before I knew how to work a camera properly), so you can see how it can be varied from year to year and from person to person. 😉
This Post may contain affiliate links.
One of the best things about this Easter Cake is that you can make it completely from scratch, from a box cake mix, or like I mentioned before “cheat” and start with a basic store-bought cake and turn it into your own customized Kit Kat cake.
The options are endless, and it provides the best Easter activity with the kids! Both the decorating and the eating!
🥥 Can I make it without Coconut?
Yes. If you don’t like coconut, you can easily leave it out. Instead, you can pipe green frosting in a grass texture. Or use edible easter grass.
🐣 Supplies and Ingredients
To begin you need
- two 8 or 9-inch round cakes. I prefer using my Grandmother’s Devil’s Food cake. It is a super easy recipe with amazing flavor.
- Frosting – I use a sweet and tart Cream cheese frosting, using lemon juice instead of the milk. It turns out A-MA-ZING! But even store-bought frosting will work.
- 4-6 King Size Kit Kat Candy bars
- Shredded Coconut
- Wiltons Kelly Green food coloring
- Yellow Silk Ribbon 3-4″ wide.
- Easter candy of choice for decorating. We usually get peeps, chocolate-covered marshmallow eggs, and egg-shaped whoopers or maltses.
- Twizzlers Pull & Peel licorice or an old basket handle or headband for the handles of the basket.
⏱️ Time-Saving Hack
If you don’t have time to bake a cake or make frosting, you can still make this Easter basket kit kat cake!
Sometimes it is totally OK to “cheat” a little because LIFE HAPPENS. Buy a basic minimally decorated 8-inch cake from the grocery store. And a little frosting or chocolate spread.
🎂 How to Make a Kit Kat Cake
If you are doing the LIFE HAPPENED CHEAT method, skip ahead to the KIT KAT BAR step.
To begin, bake your cake in two 8 inch cake pans and allow to cool completely.
Take one cake and put on a Wilton 10-Inch Cake Circle.
For a perfectly even cake, slice off any uneven tops and spread a thin layer of frosting on the first cake before stacking the second layer.
Spread a thin layer of frosting (crumb coat) around the chilled cake. Pop it in the fridge or freezer for 15 minutes to firm up. This helps lock in moisture and creates a smooth base for the final frosting layer.
Apply a second coat of frosting around the entire cake. You can use any frosting flavor or a delicious chocolate Ganache recipe. Since the cake will be covered in Kit Kat Candy bars and other Easter candy, you don’t need to worry about the frosting color.
KIT KAT BAR STEP.
Now we will be placing Kit Kat Bars around the cake. Break the Kit Kats into pieces of 1 or 2.
Gently place the Kit Kat bars around the cake and gently press into the frosting.
If you have trouble with the Kit Kat bars staying put, you can use more frosting on the back.
If you are doing the updated version, and don’t have frosting on hand – I simply grabbed a jar of chocolate hazelnut spread (NUTELLA works too) and put a little on the back of the Kit Kat Bar. Either that or maybe even Peanut Butter. Anything that will still taste good with chocolate but is slightly sticky to help it stick in place.
Gently tie the ribbon around the Kit Kat bars to keep them in place. If you want you can even tie a bow. I’m horrible at bows. But I tried it just for you!
Original — If you can find them… You can then insert the Twizzlers as Easter Basket handles on each side. Any flavor will do really. But I really like the color of the green. Not to mention that Green Apple candy is a major weakness of mine.
**Updated version – Not a single store in my area currently carries Green Apple Pull n’ Peel Twizzlers. I literally drove to 6 different stores looking JUST for the Green Apple flavor. I’m quite disappointed. I love those! So I opted to skip the basket handles this year. It’s really up to you – basket handles or not, it works either way.
COCONUT Step
Now we need to color our Coconut. It really it quite simple once you know how to do it. I wanted grass color. But you can use any color you want. Just add some coconut to a ziplock bag. Add in a few drops of food coloring.
Then seal the bag and shake. I used 8 drops of green.
**UPDATE: I wanted a richer color this year, so I used just a little Wilton Kelly Green Food Coloring paste instead of the liquid food coloring. The color came out much richer and I needed to use a lot LESS food coloring.
Sprinkle the colored Coconut across the entire top of the cake until you can no longer see the frosting underneath.
Easter Kit Kat Cake Decorating
Now we are at the final step. The decorating of our Easter basket Kit Kat cake! Call in the troops! This is the part the kids love the best! Let them help you place the Easter candy on the cake!
In the original version, we used two chocolate-covered marshmallow eggs as “rocks”. A chick peep and rabbit Peeps that my boys picked out. And Jelly Beans and mini Robin Eggs that my oldest daughter picked out.
For the Updated Version: I wanted to surprise the kids with the Kit Kat Cake when they come home from school. So I decorated it myself. I still used the traditional Bunny and Chicks PEEPs. And the chocolate-covered marshmallow egg. And of course the robin eggs.
If you have trouble getting the PEEPS to stay upright, again use frosting or chocolate hazelnut spread to keep them standing up.
No matter which version you create, it turns out quite well. It is a lot of fun to create and the kids loved it. Not to mention, just think about what a great conversation piece this will be if this is on your Easter Dinner Table for dessert!
🤔 How do I Make The Easter Basket Handle?
If you want two small handles, one on each side, Twizzler Pull and Peel licorice is perfect!
If you want one single handle that goes over the entire basket you will need something a little more sturdy to hold it’s shape.
You can use the handle from an old Easter basket, or a fun headband for a handle. If you really wanted to get ambitious, you could use pipe cleaners and braid them together to fashion a basket handle.
Whichever basket handle option you choose, be sure to clean the ends before you poke it into the cake.
Insert the handle into the cake, pushing it all of the way down to the plate.
🍽️ Serving Tips
To Serve, remove the ribbon and slice it between the Kit Kat bars. You only need a small slice. It is best served with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
Now, let me tell you, it is RICH! You definitely do not need a big slice of this! I’d recommend opting for a slice that is only 1 or 2 Kit Kat Bars wide per person.
Enjoy!
🫙 Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store the cake, covered, in the refrigerator. It will remain fresh for approximately 5 days.
Bring slices to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
This Easter cake is even better when you share it with neighbors so you don’t have the entire cake left over in your house taunting you!
Yeah, my neighbors may love me at first, but I am a huge hindrance to anyone’s weight loss goals when I start baking. I just have to share! Ha-ha! But the teenaged boys in those homes truly love us as neighbors!
🧊 Can I Freeze a Kit Kat Cake?
Yes and No. You don’t want to freeze this cake once it is all decorated. Decorated cakes can get “weepy” frosting and splotchy chocolate when thawed, making them look messy and unappetizing.
Instead freeze the unfrosted cakes after the crumb coat (the first layer of frosting). Wrap them up tightly in plastic wrap, and they can stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months!
When you are ready to make your Easter basket cake, let the individual cakes thaw slightly so it’s firm but not rock-solid. This makes it easier to handle and frost smoothly. Aim for about 30 minutes to an hour at room temperature.
🍫 Kit Kat Cake Variations:
The idea of a Kit Kat cake is simply a round cake surrounded by Kit Kat candy bars. Beyond that, you can create any kind of Kit Kat cake you can dream up!
Make the cake with a white vanilla cake or even a strawberry cake! It doesn’t have to be chocolate.
You can make a fun Birthday cake with a funfetti cake and the top filled with M&Ms or Reeses Pieces.
Use different holiday candy in the center to make a Halloween Kit Kat Cake or even a Christmas-themed Kit Kat Cake. You can totally use the white chocolate Kit Kat bars too!
Use a chocolate cake with a thick layer of chocolate ganache and form little fondant piggies for a pig in the mud Kit Kat Cake.
You can fill the top with fresh strawberries for a romantic Kit Kat Cake. Or even get really decadent and fill the center with your favorite cookies, donuts, and other baked treats for a loaded Kit Kat cake!
How did you decorate your Easter Basket Kit Kat Cake?
Easy Easter Basket Kit Kat Cake
Indulge in the ultimate Easter celebration with our Easter Basket Kit Kat Cake! This sensational creation combines the joy of Easter with the irresistible crunch of Kit Kat. Perfect for family gatherings or as a delightful centerpiece, our cake promises an unforgettable taste experience.
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 1/2 Cup Shortening
- 1 1/4 cup Sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 1/4 cup Cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup boiling water
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 package Cream Cheese (8oz)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1-3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
Kit Kat Cake Decorations
- 6 King Size Kit Kat Bars
- 1-2 cups shredded coconut
- Wiltons Kelly Green food coloring
- Yellow Silk Ribbon
- Easter Candy Of Choice: IE - peeps, chocolate-covered marshmallow eggs, robbins eggs, etc.
Instructions
Make the Cake
- Beat shortening, sugar, and eggs until light and fluffy.
- Add salt, milk, flour, and cocoa and mix well.
- Combine boiling water and baking soda.
- Slowly add one teaspoon of the water mixture at a time to the batter while mixing.
- Grease and flour the 8 inch cake pans before filling with batter
- Fill cake pans 1/2 full. Any more and it will overflow as the cake bakes.
- Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until done in the center.
- Cool completely on a cooling rack.
Frosting
- Put softened cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar into a medium mixing bowl and blend until smooth.
- Mix in 1 Tablespoon of Lemon juice at a time until you reach the frosting consistency you desire.
Assembly
- Unwrap candy bars and have them ready to hand.
- Level the cakes by slicing off the tops of the cake and apply a thin layer of frosting to the top of the first cake.
- Place the second cake on top of the frosting to stack.
- Apply a thin layer of frosting around the cake. This will be the "crumb Coat" and doesn't need to be pretty.
- Place the cake in the fridge or freezer for 15 minutes.
- Apply a second layer of frosting to the entire cake.
- Break the Kit Kat bars into pieces of 2.
- Gently place the Kit Kats around the cake and gently press into the frosting until the cake is surrounded by kit kat bars.
- Gently tie the Ribbon around the Kit Kat Bars to keep them in place.
- In a ziplock bag, add the coconut and a little green food dye. Seal the bag and shake vigorously.
- Sprinkle the colored Coconut across the entire top of the cake until you can no longer see the frosting underneath.
- Decorate the top with the Easter Candy of your choice.
- Insert the Easter basket handles if you desire.
Serve
To serve, slice cake between the Kit Kat bars and add a few easter candy pieces on top of each slice.
Store the cake, covered, in the refrigerator. Bring slices to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.
Notes
If you don't want chocolate, you can use whatever cake flavor you like. You can even use a box of cake mix.
Instead of cream cheese frosting, you can also use chocolate ganache or buttercream frosting.
If you have trouble with the Easter candy sitting on the cake, you can use extra frosting or even chocolate hazelnut spread to the bottom of each piece of candy to help hold it in place.
Don't Like Coconut? Instead, use edible easter grass or use green frosting piped in grass texture.
To make this easier - bake the cake the day before and allow to cool overnight.
To make it even easier - buy a premade cake and frosting.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 692Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 470mgCarbohydrates: 99gFiber: 3gSugar: 75gProtein: 8g
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although Busy Creating Memories attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Carolina Mom
Sunday 17th of April 2022
Thank you-I made this with a carrot cake inside and cream cheese frosting instead. I also piped green tinted frosting on top to look like Easter grass instead of coconut since hubby is not a fan. This is an adorable cake-thanks for sharing!
Camila Grace
Saturday 27th of June 2020
I made the same cake with this recipe of yours. The outcome was really good. Thanks a lot for sharing this recipe with us. :) Shared this cake recipe with my friends also. xoxo
How to make a Fluffy Easter Bunny Wreath in under 30 minutes!
Friday 30th of March 2018
[…] While you are preparing for Easter, also take a look at this simple but fun Easter Kit Kat Cake! […]
21 Quick and Easy Easter Dessert Recipes That Everyone will Adore! - One Crazy Mom
Tuesday 6th of March 2018
[…] 3. Easter Kit Kat Cake– so adorable and looks like an Easter Basket. […]
Julie
Thursday 13th of April 2017
What could you use if you hate coconut???
Amber
Friday 14th of April 2017
I've been thinking on this and asked a few other bakers for some additional ideas and I have some great alternative ideas for you!
1. Green Icing and use a grass tip and add another thin layer of frosting to the top of the cake 2. green chocolate melts and shave them, then sprinkle onto the cake 3. Edible easter grass candy. You can just cut up into small bits the same size as coconut with scissors 4. Green sanding sugar 5. Wilton edible accents (if your walmart carries them)
I hope this helps. :)