Name: Easter Nest Cakes Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon melted butter (or cooking spray); 1 tablespoon plain flour (or cocoa powder); 130 grams self-raising flour; 20 grams cocoa powder; 150 millilitres vegetable oil (or sunflower oil); 2 medium eggs (room temperature); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 150 grams light brown sugar; 50 millilitres milk; 150 grams salted butter; 250 grams icing sugar; 50 grams cocoa powder; 2 tablespoons milk; 2 teaspoons boiling water; 1 Cadbury Chocolate Flake; 12 Mini Lindt Bunnies; 12 Cadbury Mini Eggs

Print Recipe· 3.9 from 3 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a delightfully whimsical and delicious treat to brighten up your spring celebrations, this Easter Nest Cakes Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine little chocolate bundt cakes, crumbly and moist, crowned with a fluffy, glossy chocolate buttercream that mimics a cozy nest, and then decorated with cute mini chocolate bunnies and colorful eggs. It’s a wonderful way to bring a touch of festive magic to your table, and they’re as fun to make as they are to eat!

Ingredients You’ll Need

A black bundt cake pan filled with six small cakes in progress, each cavity dusted with flour and filled with smooth, dark brown chocolate batter; behind the pan are four pastel pink eggs with gold streaks in a beige carton and a small white bowl holding speckled pastel pink and yellow candy eggs, all placed on a white marbled surface with a pastel checkered cloth underneath and a white ceramic bunny-shaped container nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of these Easter nest cakes lies in the simplicity and quality of the ingredients, each playing a key role in crafting the perfect nest experience. From the rich cocoa powder giving that deep chocolate flavor to the smooth buttercream that hugs the cake, every element is essential for taste, texture, and the charming presentation.

Melted butter (1 tablespoon): Perfect for greasing your mini bundt tin so cakes release effortlessly.
Plain flour or cocoa powder (1 tablespoon): Used to dust the tin, ensuring a non-stick finish and a hint of cocoa flavor if you choose cocoa powder.
Self-raising flour (130 grams): Helps the cakes rise to a light, fluffy texture.
Cocoa powder (20 grams): Gives the cake a rich, chocolatey base.
Vegetable oil or sunflower oil (150 millilitres): Keeps the cakes moist and tender.
Eggs, room temperature (2 medium): Adds structure and richness.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the chocolate flavors with a sweet aroma.
Light brown sugar (150 grams): Offers a subtle caramel sweetness and moist crumb.
Milk (50 millilitres): Balances and moistens the batter.
Salted butter (150 grams): For that luscious buttercream base providing richness and creaminess.
Icing sugar (250 grams): Sweetens and thickens the buttercream to the perfect consistency.
Cocoa powder (50 grams): Added to buttercream for deep chocolate intensity.
Milk (2 tablespoons): Makes the buttercream spreadable and smooth.
Boiling water (2 teaspoons): Added to create a shiny and silky buttercream texture.
Cadbury Chocolate Flake (1): Creates the crumbly ‘nest twigs’ on top.
Mini Lindt Bunnies (12): Charming, edible decorations for festive flair.
Cadbury Mini Eggs (12): Adds pops of color and Easter spirit on each nest.

How to Make Easter Nest Cakes Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Mini Chocolate Bundt Cakes

First, preheat your oven to 160°C fan or 180°C conventional. Grease your mini bundt tin by brushing melted butter into every groove and corner carefully, then dust it with plain flour or cocoa powder. This crucial step means your cakes will come out beautifully and intact without sticking to the tin.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the self-raising flour, cocoa powder, and light brown sugar, making sure the mixture is lump-free. Creating a well in the center will make it easier to blend in the wet ingredients later.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk your vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk until fully combined and smooth. This mixture will bring moisture and richness to your cakes, ensuring a soft crumb.

Step 4: Blend Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry, whisking continuously until smooth and fully combined. The batter should be thick but flow easily when piped or spooned into the moulds.

Step 5: Fill Bundt Tin and Bake

Transfer the batter into a large piping bag, snip a small corner off, and pipe the batter evenly into your prepared bundt tin cavities. Filling just over halfway is perfect for these mini cakes. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until they’ve risen and turned a beautiful golden hue. Let the cakes cool in the tin for 20 minutes before gently loosening and turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Make the Chocolate Buttercream

While the cakes cool, beat softened salted butter until it’s light and fluffy. Gradually incorporate icing sugar, cocoa powder, and milk until you have a smooth, luscious chocolate buttercream. Stir in boiling water to make it silky, shiny, and perfect for piping.

Step 7: Decorate the Cakes

Scoop the buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a large round nozzle. Pipe a generous mound onto the center of each cooled cake, then gently smooth it out with the back of a spoon, crafting that iconic nest shape. Crumble over bits of the Cadbury Chocolate Flake to mimic twigs, then nestle your mini Lindt bunnies and Cadbury Mini Eggs on top for an adorable and festive finish.

How to Serve Easter Nest Cakes Recipe

A close-up of three small, round chocolate cakes with a rough, textured dark brown surface, each topped with a thick swirl of smooth, rich chocolate frosting being piped from a silver piping bag above the closest cake. The cakes sit on a white plate with a blue rim, placed on a white marbled surface. In the background, there is a blurred white bunny-shaped object and some pastel-colored cloth, adding soft color to the scene. There are a few small crumbs and speckled chocolate eggs scattered around the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

These cakes truly come alive with their sweet garnishes. The chocolate flakes add texture and a rustic look, while the mini bunnies and eggs bring an element of fun that’s perfect for Easter. You can also sprinkle a little edible glitter or pastel-colored sugar pearls for extra sparkle.

Side Dishes

Serve these charming nest cakes alongside a light fruit salad or a refreshing citrus sorbet to balance the richness. A cup of freshly brewed coffee or a delicate herbal tea will complement the chocolate flavors beautifully and keep things feeling spring-fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

Present your Easter Nest Cakes Recipe atop individual pastel-colored plates or small doilies to enhance their festive appeal. You might also arrange them on a tiered cake stand with fresh spring flowers and greenery scattered around to create an enchanting Easter centerpiece that guests won’t stop admiring.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cakes are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to keep the buttercream soft and the cakes moist.

Freezing

If you want to prepare in advance, freeze the plain mini bundt cakes (without buttercream) in an airtight bag for up to 1 month. Thaw completely before frosting and decorating to preserve freshness and texture.

Reheating

For that just-baked warmth, gently warm the unfrosted cakes in a microwave for 10 seconds before applying buttercream. Once decorated, it’s best to enjoy them cold or at room temperature so the buttercream doesn’t melt.

FAQs

Can I use a different chocolate for the nest decorations?

Absolutely! While the recipe calls for Cadbury Mini Eggs and Lindt Bunnies, feel free to use any mini chocolates or candies you love. Just aim for colorful, lightweight toppings to maintain the nest look and feel.

What if I don’t have a mini bundt tin?

No problem! Use cupcake or muffin tins instead. Just adjust the baking time slightly and shape the buttercream nests carefully on top after baking.

Is there a dairy-free version of this Easter Nest Cakes Recipe?

Yes! Substitute the butter with a dairy-free spread and use plant-based milk alternatives. Make sure your chocolate decorations are dairy-free as well to keep it consistent.

Can I make the buttercream chocolate flavor stronger?

Definitely. You can add more cocoa powder to the buttercream or even fold in a little melted and cooled chocolate for extra richness. Just adjust sugar levels to taste.

How do I prevent the cakes from sticking to the tin?

The key is brushing the bundt tin thoroughly with melted butter and dusting each cavity with flour or cocoa powder. Make sure to tap out excess flour to avoid a cakey residue on the surfaces.

Final Thoughts

This Easter Nest Cakes Recipe is one of those joyful bakes that bring cheer not only to your taste buds but also to your celebrations. Whether you’re baking with kids or looking for an elegant yet playful dessert for your holiday table, these little nests have a way of making everything feel festive and special. Grab your ingredients, get cozy in the kitchen, and enjoy every moment of creating these charming chocolate delights!