Easter Lamb Cake

This adorable lamb cake recipe is sure to become a sweet Easter tradition in your family.

Lamb Cake Ingredients

These are the simple pantry staples you'll need to make this lamb cake recipe:

· Oil: Coat the mold with vegetable oil to prevent the cake from sticking.
· Flour: Use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour for the lightest results.
· Baking powder: Baking powder acts as a leavener, which means it helps the cake rise.
· Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavor of the cake, but it won't make it taste salty.
· Sugar: You'll need 1 ¼ cups of sugar for this sweet vanilla cake.
· Butter: Beat a stick of softened butter with the sugar.
· Milk: A cup of milk lends moisture to the cake batter.
· Vanilla: A teaspoon of vanilla extract adds subtle complexity.
· Egg whites: You'll need four egg whites (not the yolks) for this light and fluffy lamb cake.

How to Make a Lamb Cake

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this Easter lamb cake at home:

1. Make the batter: Sift the dry ingredients together in one bowl. Beat the butter and sugar. Add the dry mixture alternately with milk. Stir in vanilla. Beat the egg whites, then fold them into the batter.
2. Fill the mold: Prepare the mold with oil and flour, then fill it with the batter. Use a spoon to remove any air pockets. Secure the lid to the mold, then place the mold on a cookie sheet.
3. Bake the cake: Bake the cake in a preheated oven until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool according to the recipe, then remove from the mold.

How to Decorate a Lamb Cake

· Spread, pipe, or swirl your favorite white frosting (such as Quick and Almost-Professional Buttercream Icing or Cream Cheese Frosting) onto the cooled lamb cake.
· For a professional look, add a star tip to a piping bag to make a tufted coat or top the cake with sweetened coconut flakes for a textured effect.
· You can also use candies, like jelly beans or chocolate chips, for the eyes.
· Place the finished lamb cake on a bed of grass (sweetened coconut flakes dyed with green food coloring).

How to Store Lamb Cake

The best way to store the lamb cake depends on what type of frosting you used. You can store it at room temperature for up to four days at room temperature if you chose buttercream frosting, but you'll need to keep it in the refrigerator if you opted for cream cheese. A cake keeper or bowl will protect it from dust and other particles.

Learn more: How to Store Cake

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This recipe is firm enough to retain the lamb shape without falling apart," according to Jane. "Because it is not as sweet a recipe as some pound cakes, seven-minute icing and coconut on top do not overwhelm the cake with their sweetness."

"Frosting with a frosting bag instead of a knife is so helpful," advises mjocarlson. "I put wood skewers in the batter to support the neck."

"I have been looking for the 'perfect' lamb cake recipe, as I lost my grandma's recipe several years ago," says Love to bake. "I followed the directions exactly and it came out absolutely perfect. I had a little extra batter and made six cupcakes with it."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams