HIPPITY HOP BUNNY CAKE

Hippity Hop Bunny Cake image

This cute, festive cake will have your guests 'hopping' with happiness! Make the cake ahead and add the decorations close to it's debut at your party or special occasion. - Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Desserts

Time 2h25m

Yield 20 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 28

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Ingredients

1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup orange juice
2 large egg yolks, beaten
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
CAKE:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
4 large egg whites, room temperature
2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
2-1/4 cups cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup 2% milk
BUTTERCREAM:
3 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
3 large egg whites, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, cubed
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
1 cup coarse sugar
Optional Bunny Decorations: Bright white candy coating, light cocoa candy coating, pink coarse sugar, sprinkles, red food coloring, white food color paste and small jelly beans

Steps:

To prepare orange curd, in a small saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Stir in orange juice until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat; gently stir in butter and orange zest. Cool to room temperature without stirring. Refrigerate for 1 hour., Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of three 6-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease pans., Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes. Add egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla and zest. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with the milk. , Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in each center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove parchment. Cool completely., Meanwhile, prepare buttercream by microwaving chocolate and cream in a small microwave-safe bowl until melted, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly. In heatproof bowl of stand mixer, whisk egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and salt until blended. Place over simmering water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisking constantly, heat mixture until a thermometer reads 160°, 5-7 minutes., Remove from heat. With whisk attachment of stand mixer, beat on high speed until cooled to 90°, about 5 minutes. Gradually beat in butter, a few tablespoons at a time, on medium speed until smooth; beat in vanilla and white chocolate mixture., Spread curd between layers. Spread buttercream over top and sides of cake; sprinkle coarse sugar over top and sides of cake. Decorate with candies to look like a bunny, as desired. Store in refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 479 calories, Fat 28g fat (17g saturated fat), Cholesterol 93mg cholesterol, Sodium 261mg sodium, Carbohydrate 55g carbohydrate (42g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 5g protein.