Peeps Layer Cake

As we were sitting in the Emergency Clinic waiting room recently, the sweet fella and I came across a picture of this cake...

adorable, don't you think?  

He wanted one to take to work for their Easter lunch, 

so, here it is...my take on this dessert...

I changed it up a little from the original recipe we saw, 

but mine is so easy and totally cute! 

Peeps Layer Cake

1 box Duncan Hines Chocolate Cake Mix

4 eggs

1 cup milk

2/3 cup butter, softened

With mixer, combine all the ingredients until mixed well.  

Divide evenly into 3 --9" cake pans. 

I spray mine with Pam and line them with parchment paper.   

Bake on 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the cake tests done.  

Cool completely on wire rack.  

Peeps Filling

Choose 3 colors of Peeps

3 cups butter cream icing--1 cup for each color

Set aside 2 Peeps of each color.

In a plastic container, microwave Peeps 

for 20-25 seconds, until they're puffy.

Place them in mixing bowl and add 1 cup of the butter cream.  

To make the color more vibrant, you can add 

icing color to match the Peeps. 

Blend on high until icing is all mixed well.

Spread each color between each layer and then 1 color on top.  

Refrigerate the cake about 15 minutes 

at this point to stabilize the filling.

Icing

2 sticks butter

4 cups confectioners sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1-2 TBSP whipping cream

2 cups coconut

Cream the butter until light and fluffy.  

Add the confectioners sugar and blend until combined.  

Add the vanilla and the whipping cream 

until the icing is good spreading consistency. 

Carefully spread the icing over the top color 

of Peeps then on the sides.  

We love coconut, so we added the 2 cups of 

on the top and sides of the cake.  

If you are not a fan of coconut,  you can skip this step 

and your cake will still be most magnificent.  

Carefully place 1 cup chocolate icing in the middle 

of the top layer and spread slightly.

Place the Peeps you set aside in the chocolate icing. 

**********

The cast of characters...

Mix your cake mix and divided them among the 3 pans...

After 20 minutes they will be perfect like this!

While the cakes are cooling, make the 1st Peeps filling...

Microwave the Peeps till puffy...

Add them to your mixing bowl with 1 cup 

of butter cream and some icing color if you wish...

Carefully spread the 1st layer...

Like so!...

Repeat the steps with the next color of Peeps...

And the 3rd color...

Refrigerate for about 15 minutes...

Carefully spread the butter cream on top and then the sides...

Like so...

Place coconut on top and sides next...

Carefully spread the 1 cup of chocolate icing in the middle...

Place the Peeps in the chocolate icing...

They've multiplied!  :)

Enjoy!