Chocolate Easter Bunny Race Cars – the cutest homemade Twinkie cakes filled with buttercream and decorated with bunny PEEPS, pretzel steering wheels and marshmallow tires.
Make your own Twinkie shaped cakes
With the help of a special cake pan, you can make your own chocolate or vanilla Twinkie shaped cakes. My pan is made by Wilton and I found it at Joann Fabrics. You can also find it on Amazon.
These Chocolate Easter Bunny Race Cars are not only cute but they are moist and yummy to eat. I used a chocolate cake mix for the “cars” and filled them with vanilla buttercream.
Kids love Chocolate Easter Bunny Race Cars
They were a big hit at my son’s 3rd grade class today. I also made a batch for his cub scouts annual banquet dinner last weekend. There was a baking contest which I entered. There were a lot of tough competitors though and alas, I didn’t win the prize which was a miniature wooden oven trophy, but I believe I won the hearts of many of the children in attendance. One little girl in particular had such a priceless look on her face when she finally got to taste her very own bunny race car. Her eyes were opened wide and she had a big smile on her face. That was the best award of all!
How to make Easter Bunny Race Car Cakes
Step one – Make the homemade Twinkies
To make these Chocolate Easter Bunny Race Cars, the first thing you do is whip up a chocolate cake mix (prepared according to package instructions). Spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray and fill the cavities about halfway. You don’t want it too full or they will puff up too much. Bake at 350°F. for 20 minutes.
Here’s what they look like when they’re baked. You need to let them cool completely.
Step Two – Make the vanilla buttercream filling
Meanwhile, make a small batch of vanilla buttercream. This is my favorite recipe which is just butter, powdered sugar, cream and vanilla extract.
Step three – Fill the cakes
Once the cakes are cooled, then you can trim them and fill them. You’ll use a toothpick to create 3 little holes in the bottom of the cake. Then pipe the frosting into the 3 holes using a pastry bag fitted with a #21 pastry tip.
Use a butter knife to smooth the frosting, then place the cakes in the refrigerator to chill for about an hour. They’re much easier to work with when they are firm, so don’t skip this step.
Step four – assemble the Easter Bunny Race Cars
Next, take the Peeps out of the package and separate them. They’re so colorful. I just love them.
You’ll be cutting the bottoms off of the Peeps like so. Take the cakes out of the fridge and cut a small section out to create a seat for your bunny driver. Put a little icing in the seat before placing the Peep.
Cut marshmallows in half. Use icing to glue them onto car. Break the pretzels in half and stick in cake for the steering wheel. Place them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.
These fun little treats are a bit time consuming to make but I don’t mind taking extra time when it’s a special holiday like Easter.
What are your favorite Easter Memories?
I have such fond memories of Easter. My grandmother would buy me a fancy dress and take me to church. I don’t remember going on an Easter egg hunt but I do remember getting a basket of candy that would always include a big chocolate bunny.
If you celebrate Easter, what are your childhood memories of this special holiday? Let me know in the comments below.
Happy Easter!
Lise
xo
An Easter bible verse…
“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Tools for success
Wilton Twinkie Shaped Mini Cakes pan
Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons
Note: The above items are affiliate links.
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Chocolate Easter Bunny Race Cars
Ingredients
For the cakes
- 1 box chocolate cake mix, prepared according to package instructions (15.25 oz/432g)
- 20 bunny shaped marshmallow Peeps®
- 40 large marshmallows cut in half
- 20 small pretzels
For the buttercream frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (226g)
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the cakes
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Whip up the chocolate cake mix (prepared according to package instructions). Spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray and fill the cavities about halfway. You don’t want it too full or they will puff up too much. Bake at 350°F. for 20 minutes. Let them cool completely, about 30 minutes.
For the buttercream
- Meanwhile, make your frosting. Beat softened butter on medium speed with an electric or stand mixer. Beat for 3 minutes until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla extract with the mixer running. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes. Add more powdered sugar if frosting is too thin or more cream if mixture is too thick.
Making the bunny race cars
- Once the cakes are cooled, trim off the bottoms (see photo). Use a toothpick to create 3 little holes in the bottom of the cake (don't press down too far though, you don't want it to go all the way through the cake). Then pipe the frosting into the 3 holes using a pastry bag fitted with a #21 pastry tip.
- Use a butter knife to smooth the frosting, then place the cakes in the refrigerator to chill for about an hour. They’re much easier to work with when they are firm, so don’t skip this step.
- Next, take the Peeps out of the package and separate them. Cut the bottoms off of the Peeps (about 3/8"). Take the cakes out of the fridge and cut a small section out to create a seat for your bunny driver. Put a little icing in the seat before placing the Peep. Cut marshmallows in half. Use icing to glue them onto car. Break the pretzels in half and stick in cake for the steering wheel.
- Place in refrigerator to set for about 30 minutes before serving. Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
You might also like Classic Southern Red Velvet Cake
Or Boston Cream Pie Birthday Cake
All text and images © Lise Ode for Mom Loves Baking. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be accurate. This post may contain affiliate links.
Liz says
These are so darn cute! I really need that Twinkie pan–my family loves all those Hostess products plus then I can make these adorable race cars!!
Lise Ode says
They taste better than the actual Twinkies too. LOL!