Jelly Bean Cake

This brightly colored Jelly Bean Cake is lovely for Easter or other spring events.

The middle of the layered jelly bean cake is filled with lots and lots of jelly beans. Next time you are in need of something beautiful and colorful, you need this easy Easter cake recipe. 

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Jelly Bean Cake

Sweets should have been my middle name! I never grow tired of eating good old fashioned jelly beans either. I knew that I wanted to include jelly beans in my next cake for Easter. Well, as you can see from the photos, it turned out even better than I could have imagined. I love all the bright colors and, of course, how sweet it is too.

My favorite part about this easy jelly bean cake is that it has a bright pink cake with lots of jelly beans stuffed inside. Kids and adults will all enjoy the way it looks as well as the way it tastes too. Pretty sure I have found a new Easter tradition!

How to Get Jelly Beans in the Middle Of Cake

First, you’ll need to bake the cake as directed. Then you need to use a 3-inch cookie cutter to cut the center out of a cake. After the center of the cake has been removed, then you can form a layer and walls of the cake, then go ahead and frost it. After it’s been defrosted and you’ve added the layers, then you will need to put one and a half cups to 2 cups of jelly beans in the cake. Then you’re going to add the third layer on top.  

Because the directions can be a little bit confusing, I did provide photos to help you along the way. Take a peek at the photos below, and they will help you get started. 

Tips For Decorating 

For best results, when you are decorating this jelly bean cake, you need to use a Piping Bag. Using a Piping Bag will give you stunning results and exactly the style you are looking for. I combine it’s best to use piping bags with different colors in them. Then you can alternate between colors without any issues. 

How to Store Cake 

I combine this cake is much better when it is served cold; for best results, keep the cake in a food storage container that has a lid that fits well. The cake will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

Can I Make This Cake in Advance 

Yes, you can absolutely make this cake in advance. Go ahead and prepare the cake as directed and decorate. After the cake is completely done, go ahead and put it in the refrigerator. You can store it in the fridge for up to 5 days before your big event. This saves you a lot of time the day of and you’ll be thanking yourself later. 

Ingredients

2 boxes of Vanilla cake mix

6 large egg

2 C water

1 C Canola oil

Light Pink gel food coloring

3 9inch round cake pans

3 10inch round cake board

Pam baking spray

Vanilla frosting

2 C unsalted butter, softened

5 C powdered sugar

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

3-6 TBSP heavy whipping cream

Light Pink, Red and Yellow Gel food coloring

1 small container of white premade icing

3 disposable piping bags

1 mini angled spatula

1 medium ice cream scooper

1 large piping bag with star tip

1 8oz bag of jelly beans

How to Make Jelly Bean Cake

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray the 3 cake pans with nonstick baking spray. Then set the cake pans aside.

Step 2: Combine all cake ingredients into a standing mixer or large mixing bowl and beat until combined. It is okay if there are a few clumps.

Step 3: Mix in a few drops of pink gel frosting until combined. Feel free to make it as light or as dark as you would like.

Step 4: Divide the batter between the 3 pans and bake in the oven for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 5: Allow the layers of cake to completely cool before moving onto the cake board.

Step 6: Using a cake leveler, remove the dome from the cakes to make even. This will help your cakes stack.

Step 7: Using a standing mixer, beat together the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy whipping cream until combined, smooth and stiff with peaks. Or you can use store-bought frosting if you don’t want to make homemade.

Building the cake directions

Step 1: Place one cake round onto the cake board.

Step 2: Using a 3 inch round cookie cutter, cut out the center of the cake. Or you can use a glass or something similar in size.

Step 3: Carefully remove the center. Cut the center round in half and gently place the new cut half back into the center of the cake to create a bottom to the cake.

Step 4: Frost the bottom layer and the walls of the center of the cake with a frosting knife.

Step 5: Cut out the center of the second cake layer and gently place it on top of the first.

Step 6: Frost second layer and inside walls of the center.

Step 7: Fill the center of the cake with about 1 ½-2 C of jelly beans or however, many that you can get to fit.

Step 8: Place the third layer of the cake on top and then scoop 1 cup of frosting into the piping bag.

Step 9: Frost entire cake with remaining frosting.

Step 10: Divide the premade frosting into 3 bowls. This is where you will create the outer design.

Step 11: Mix in a few drops of each color into their own bowl.

Step 12: Place each bowl, 1 at a time, into the microwave for 15 seconds to soften the frosting.

Step 13: Scoop the colored frosting into their own disposable piping bag.

Decorating the cake :

Step 1: Cut the tip off the pink piping bag, and pipe drips around the top of the cake.

Step 2: Cut the tip off the red piping bag and pipe over the pink drips.

Step 3: Repeat the same with the yellow piping bag.

Step 4: Using the large piping bag, pipe white dollops around the top of the cake.

Step 5: Sprinkle some jelly beans onto the frosting and place jelly beans around the bottom of the cake.

Step 6: Cut and enjoy!

Now, remember to save this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

In the mood for more spring-themed cakes! I have exactly what you need.

Easy Easter Coconut Cake – This Easter coconut cake is to die for! You don’t want to miss this.

Bird Nest Layered Cake – Add some fun to your next Easter party with this bird nest cake.

Spring Instant Pot Bundt Cake – I think you’re going to love the bright colors and this spring instant pot cake.

Layered Carrot Cake – Who can resist a piece of layered carrot cake. I know I can’t!