Cadbury Easter Layer Cake (with Buttercream Flowers)

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Deep, rich, black cocoa cake is layered with vanilla buttercream and filled with crushed mini Cadbury eggs.

There’s something so special about a truly beautiful spring cake—bright spring colors, light and fluffy layers, and just a little bit of whimsy. With tender cake layers, smooth buttercream, and a surprise crunch of crushed Cadbury eggs tucked right into the center, This Cadbury Easter Layer Cake is exactly that. Finished with fun piping and buttercream flowers, this cake becomes a true centerpiece—perfect for Easter brunch or any dessert tables. It is elegant, festive, and surprisingly approachable to create. Let’s make it.

Here’s What You’ll Need

For the Cake Layers (3 layers, 6-inch pans or similar)

• Butter or nonstick spray for greasing pans
• Parchment rounds

For the Chocolate Layer Cake:

• ¼ Cup Salted Butter, softened to room temperature (57 g)
• ¼ Cup Avocado or Vegetable Oil (60 ml)
• 1 ¼ Cups Granulated Sugar (250 g)
• 1 Large Egg + 2 Large Egg Yolks
• ⅓ Cup Sour Cream (80 ml)
• 1 Tablespoon  Pure Vanilla Extract (15 ml)
• 1 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour (185 g)
• ⅓ Cup Black Cocoa Powder (35 g)
• 2 Teaspoons  Baking Powder (8 g)
• ½ Teaspoon Salt (2.5 g)
• ½ Cup Whole or 2% Milk (120 ml)

For the Vanilla Buttercream: 

• 2 ½ Cups Salted Butter, softened to room temperature (567 g)
• 5 Cups Powdered Sugar, sifted (600 g)
• Splash of Heavy Cream, optional
• ½ Cup Cadbury Mini Eggs, chopped 

For the Filling

• 1–1½ cups crushed Cadbury Mini Eggs

For Decorating

• Food coloring of choice (in warm spring colors)
• Piping tips (rose tip, petal tip, small round tips)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cake Layers

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line your 6-inch cake pans with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl:

Cream together the butter, oil, and sugar until light and fluffy.

Mix in the sour cream and vanilla extract until smooth.

Add the egg + egg yolks, mixing until fully incorporated.

Into the same bowl:

Add the flour, black cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Add the milk and mix again. Do not over-mix at this point.

Divide your cake batter evenly between pans and bake 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack in the refrigerator to cool completely.

2. Make the Buttercream

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.

Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla and heavy cream, then beat until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency as needed—add more cream for a softer texture or more sugar for a firmer frosting.

NOTE: This recipe makes an extra large bowl of buttercream so that you have plenty for piping/decorating! If you prefer not to pipe any additional decorations onto the cake, simple use 1 ½ Cup Butter and 3 Cups Powdered Sugar instead. Make as directed.

3. Assemble the Cake

Place the first cake layer on your cake board or serving plate.

Spread an even layer of buttercream over the top.

Sprinkle a generous layer of crushed Cadbury eggs over the frosting, then gently press them into the buttercream so they stay in place.

Place the next cake layer on top and gently press down to secure. Top with the final cake layer.

4. Crumb Coat

Apply a thin layer of buttercream over the entire cake to lock in crumbs. Smooth with an offset spatula.

Chill the cake in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes to set.

5. Final Frosting Layer

Apply a thicker, smooth layer of buttercream over the chilled cake. Use a bench scraper or spatula to create a clean finish.

6. Decorate with Buttercream Flowers

Divide remaining buttercream and tint with warm spring colors (pinks, yellows, greens, blues).

Using a variety of piping tips, create buttercream flowers and piping swirls directly onto the cake. Add leaves and small accents to fill in any gaps.

7. Final Touches

Optional: Add a few extra Cadbury eggs on top for decoration.

Chill slightly before slicing for clean layers.

Best Practices

• Chill between steps: A cold cake is much easier to frost and decorate cleanly.
• Don’t overfill with candy: A light layer of crushed Cadbury eggs gives texture without making the cake unstable.
• Use room temperature ingredients: This ensures a smooth buttercream and even cake texture.
• Press gently: When adding the candy layer, lightly press so it adheres without sinking into the frosting.
• Practice piping first: If making buttercream flowers, practice on parchment before decorating the cake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the cake layers 1–2 days in advance. Wrap them tightly and store at room temperature or refrigerate. The fully assembled cake can also be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge.

Will the Cadbury eggs get too hard in the fridge?

They may firm up slightly, but once the cake sits at room temperature for 20–30 minutes before serving, they soften to a perfect texture.

Can I use other candies instead?

Absolutely. Chocolate eggs, mini chocolate chips, or even chopped candy bars work well if you want to customize.

How do I get smooth buttercream?

Beat the butter well before adding sugar, and always sift powdered sugar if it’s lumpy. A final mix on low speed helps remove air bubbles for a smoother finish.

Dietary Substitutions

Gluten-Free

• Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour in place of all-purpose flour. Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1:1 Baking Flour works beautifully and is virtually interchangeable with standard flour.

Dairy-Free

• Replace butter with a high-quality dairy-free butter substitute.
• Use a dairy-free heavy cream alternative in the frosting.
• Ensure your Cadbury-style eggs or substitute candies are dairy-free if needed.

Conclusion

This Cadbury Easter Layer Cake is everything a spring dessert should be—light, beautiful, and completely irresistible. Whether you’re hosting Easter brunch, bringing dessert to a gathering, or just celebrating the season, this cake is guaranteed to impress—and disappear quickly.

Have questions? Share them in the comments! 

Tag me in your baking adventures too, @heathershomebakery—I’d love to see your creations.

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Happy baking! 🌸🐣🍰

XO,

Heather

PS: Try my Chocolate Nutella Layer Cake for another Easter-inspired design with a mouthwatering flavored cake beneath it!