Surprise Inside Easter Bundt Cakes

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

Bake mini bundt cakes, fill centers with Easter candy, top with colorful glazes and more candy for a festive Easter treat with a surprise inside.
Clare Greco
Updated on Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:08:45 GMT
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I stumbled onto this surprise-inside mini Easter bundt cake recipe last spring when I needed something fun and festive for a family gathering. The combination of cute little bundt cakes with a candy-filled center creates this incredible "wow" moment when guests cut into them. They've become our Easter tradition, bringing just as much joy in the making as in the revealing.

My niece was helping me in the kitchen when I made these for the first time, and her eyes went wide with excitement when we started filling the centers with candy. She could hardly wait to show everyone the surprise inside at dessert time. Sometimes the simplest recipes create the biggest impressions, especially with kids.

Simple Ingredients

  • Cake mix - The perfect shortcut that creates consistently good results
  • Mini bundt pan - Creates those adorable individual cakes with the hollow center
  • Easter candy - The colorful surprise that makes these cakes special
  • Simple glaze - Just sweet enough to complement the cake without overwhelming
  • Gel food coloring - Creates those beautiful pastel colors perfect for Easter
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Cake Creation

Bundt Pan Preparation
Thoroughly greasing and flouring the mini bundt pan is crucial for easy removal of the baked cakes. I've found that using butter rather than cooking spray creates the best release, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies of the pan. A light dusting of flour over the butter ensures the cakes don't stick. The first time I made these, I skimped on this step and ended up with cakes that tore when I tried to remove them. Now I take my time with this prep, and the cakes slide out perfectly every time.
Cake Mixing
While the recipe offers the option of homemade or boxed cake mix, I usually go with boxed for convenience and consistent results. I've found that adding an extra egg to the box directions creates a slightly denser cake that holds up better for this application. When mixing, I beat it a bit longer than the box suggests to incorporate more air, which helps the cakes rise evenly in the bundt shapes. Sometimes I add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor, even to a white or vanilla cake mix.
Baking Precision
Mini bundt cakes typically bake faster than the time suggested on a cake mix box. I start checking about 5-7 minutes earlier than the recommended time, looking for the cakes to pull away slightly from the edges of the pan and spring back when lightly touched. Overbaking dries them out, while underbaking can make them collapse when filled. Letting them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before turning out onto a rack strikes the perfect balance - enough time to set up but not so long that they stick.
Bottom Trimming
That small trim off the bottom is a game-changer for presentation. I use a serrated knife and take off just enough to create a flat, stable base. This not only prevents wobbling but allows the cakes to stand perfectly upright, showcasing their beautiful bundt shape. I save these cake scraps in a container - they're perfect for cake pops or trifles later!
Candy Selection
The choice of candy affects both the visual impact and the eating experience. I look for colorful options that aren't too hard or chewy - mini chocolate eggs, jelly beans, pastel M&Ms, and small chocolate bunnies work beautifully. I avoid anything with caramel or nougat centers that might be too difficult to eat alongside cake. Creating a mix of colors and sizes creates the most exciting reveal when the cake is cut open. I sometimes coordinate candy colors with the glaze colors for a cohesive look.
Glaze Application
The consistency of the glaze is key - too thin and it runs right off, too thick and it won't drape nicely over the ridges of the bundt cakes. I always start with less milk than called for and add more by the teaspoonful until I reach that perfect thick-but-pourable consistency. When applying the glaze, I pour it in a circular motion around the top ridge of the bundt, allowing it to naturally flow down the sides. Being careful to avoid getting glaze in the center hole helps keep the candy reveal intact. For multiple colors, I either do sections of different colors or drizzle contrasting colors over a base color for a festive effect.

My normally stoic father-in-law actually smiled with delight when he cut into his cake and candy spilled out onto his plate. When you can surprise and delight someone who's seen it all, you know you've found a winning recipe.

Perfect Pairings

Serve these festive cakes with coffee or tea for an afternoon Easter treat. For brunch, they make a colorful addition to the dessert table alongside fresh fruit. During Easter dinner, they're a perfect light dessert option after a heavy meal. My kids love them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, which complements the sweet cake and candy beautifully.

Creative Variations

Try different cake flavors like lemon or strawberry for variety. Use themed candy for other holidays - red and green M&Ms for Christmas, conversation hearts for Valentine's Day, or Halloween candy for fall. Add food coloring to the cake batter itself for colorful slices that match or contrast with the glaze. Last Easter, I experimented with marbling different colors of batter, which created beautiful rainbow cakes that were even more festive when cut open.

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I've made these surprise inside mini Easter bundt cakes for family gatherings, school events, and Easter celebrations, and they never fail to create excitement. There's something magical about cutting into what looks like a simple glazed cake and having colorful candy spill out onto the plate. My children have started helping me make them each Easter, carefully selecting which candies to use and decorating each cake with their own creative flair. Sometimes the most memorable recipes are the ones that bring a bit of surprise and wonder to our celebrations, creating traditions that everyone looks forward to year after year.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the cakes 1-2 days ahead. For best results, add the candy filling and glaze just a few hours before serving to maintain freshness.
→ What kind of candy works best for the filling?
Small, colorful candies work best - try mini chocolate eggs, jelly beans, pastel M&Ms, or Sixlets. Avoid candies that are very sticky or might melt easily.
→ I don't have a mini bundt pan. What else can I use?
You can use a standard muffin tin for smaller versions, just reduce the baking time. For a single surprise cake, use a regular bundt pan and create a larger cavity for candy.
→ Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! Vanilla, lemon, or strawberry cake mixes all work wonderfully for Easter-themed cakes. Choose your favorite or match the flavor to your candy filling.
→ How do I prevent the cakes from sticking to the pan?
Make sure to thoroughly butter and flour the pan, getting into all the crevices. Alternatively, use a baking spray with flour for even coverage.
→ Can I use different colors for the glaze?
Yes! Create multiple pastel colors like pink, yellow, blue, lavender, and mint green for a beautiful Easter display. Gel food coloring gives the most vibrant colors without thinning the glaze.

Surprise Inside Easter Bundt Cakes

Cute mini vanilla bundt cakes with a hidden Easter candy center, topped with colorful glazes. A fun and festive dessert that's easier than it looks!

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes

Category: Sweet Treats

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (6 mini bundt cakes)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ For the Cakes

01 1 box white cake mix (or homemade), prepared as directed
02 Mixed Easter candy (M&Ms, jelly beans, mini eggs, etc.)

→ For the Glaze

03 2 cups confectioners sugar
04 2 tablespoons milk + more as needed
05 1 teaspoon lemon juice
06 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 Gel food coloring (pastel colors for Easter)

Instructions

Step 01

Butter and flour a mini bundt cake pan and set aside. The recipe is designed for a pan that makes 6 medium-sized bundt cakes.

Step 02

Prepare the cake mix according to package directions (or use your favorite homemade white cake recipe). Pour the batter into the prepared bundt cake pan and bake as directed on the package or in your recipe.

Step 03

Allow the cakes to cool completely. Once cooled, slice off a very small amount from the bottom of each cake (as little as possible) so they can stand upright without wobbling.

Step 04

In a bowl, mix the confectioners sugar, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth. The glaze should be thick but pourable. If it's too thick, add a little more milk; if too thin, add more powdered sugar. Divide the glaze into small bowls and tint each with gel food coloring to create different pastel colors.

Step 05

Fill the center hole of each bundt cake with Easter candy. Pack in as much as possible for a more dramatic surprise effect when cut into.

Step 06

Pour the colored glaze over the tops of the bundt cakes, being careful not to get too much glaze in the center hole as it will prevent the candy from pouring out when served. Top with additional Easter candy for decoration.

Notes

  1. These cakes are perfect for Easter celebrations or spring parties
  2. The candy surprise inside is revealed when the cake is cut into
  3. Use pastel-colored candy for a festive Easter look
  4. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days

Tools You'll Need

  • Mini bundt cake pan (6-cavity recommended)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk or electric mixer
  • Small bowls for colored glazes
  • Serrated knife for leveling cakes

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains wheat (cake mix)
  • Contains dairy (milk in glaze, possibly in cake mix)
  • May contain eggs (in cake mix)
  • Check candy ingredients for additional allergens

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 65 g
  • Protein: 3 g