I couldn’t wait until May Day to share this — the finished cake came out so sweet I had to post it early. This Maypole Peep cake is a cheerful spring dessert that works wonderfully for Easter, May Day, or any garden-themed celebration. It combines a simple frosted round cake with coconut “grass,” candy accents, and little Peep bunnies gathered around a decorative maypole.
MAYPOLE PEEP CAKE
Adorable Maypole Peep cake for Spring, Easter, or May Day — a fun, easy centerpiece that doubles as dessert and decoration.
Ingredients
- Round cake (any flavor, baked and cooled)
- White buttercream frosting
- Necco Wafer candies (for the cake border)
- Flaked coconut
- Green food coloring
- Pink and yellow Peep bunnies
- Wilton icing flowers (daisy)
- Mini cupcake liners
- Toothpicks
- Wooden skewer
- Decorative paper straw
- Ribbon (six long pieces)
- Silk flower (for the top of the maypole)
Instructions
1. Frost the cooled round cake with an even layer of white buttercream. For a smooth finish, hold a clean towel or paper towel taut and, using a flat spatula or bench scraper, gently smooth the frosting by turning the cake on a turntable while keeping the towel against the scraper. This yields a clean, professional-looking surface.
2. Press a row of Necco Wafer candies around the base of the cake to form a decorative border. Take your time to space them evenly so the base looks neat and consistent.
3. Prepare the “grass”: place flaked coconut in a resealable plastic bag and add a few drops of green food coloring. Seal the bag and shake or massage until the coconut is evenly tinted a pleasant green. Lightly sprinkle the tinted coconut over the top of the cake, concentrating toward the edges and leaving a small clear area in the center if you prefer a focal point for the maypole.
4. Scatter pre-made icing daisies on the coconut grass. These add color and a finished look without extra piping work.
5. Make the Peep toppers: using kitchen shears, cut each bunny Peep in half so you have heads and bodies separately. Place a toothpick through the center of a mini cupcake liner, point-down, so the toothpick stands upright in the liner. Press a Peep head onto the top of the toothpick to create stand-up bunny toppers. Arrange the toppers around the cake where you want them to appear dancing around the maypole.
6. Build the maypole: insert a wooden skewer vertically in the center of the cake to act as the pole. Slide a decorative paper straw over the skewer to cover it and create a colorful pole. At the top, secure six long pieces of ribbon and a silk flower. If you use a hot glue gun to attach the ribbons and flower, make sure any glue stays above the edible area and off the cake surface; alternatively, tie the ribbons together around the straw or use a small non-toxic fastener. Arrange the ribbons so they drape evenly around the cake, and trim them to equal lengths for a tidy appearance.
7. Position the Peep bunnies around the maypole so they appear to be dancing and holding the ribbons. Adjust spacing and ribbon placement until the composition looks balanced. If desired, add a few extra candy accents or flowers to fill empty spots.
Serving and safety tips: remove any non-edible decorations (skewers, glue) before serving slices to guests, or clearly mark which pieces are not edible. Store the cake in a cool, dry place until serving; refrigerate if the filling or frosting requires it. For best presentation, assemble the decorative elements shortly before your event so the Peep toppers and ribbons remain fresh and colorful.
With a little patience and these simple steps, you’ll have a charming Maypole Peep cake that’s both festive and fun to share.
For more Peep food and craft ideas, explore other seasonal projects and simple decorations you can make at home.
