This post is sponsored by Philadelphia Cream Cheese.
With Easter coming up in just a couple days, having a dessert that is easy to pull together will make the coming weekend’s entertaining so much easier. Adding a graphic cake and a whimsical cake topper will make your table look pulled together no matter how many eggs you may still need to stuff. ;)
Red velvet is one of my favorite cake flavors and I love how unexpected the flavor and boldness of the cake is this time of year.
Topping any cake with this whimsical letter cake topper is a fun way to create an Easter table that is sweet without being too kitsch. I’ve always loved bringing typography into our celebrations, and adding it to the normally sweet Easter decor makes such a fun statement. Why put a bunny on top, when you can say it with text?
To make the HOP letter cake toppers – you will need fabric in a couple bold colors, needle and thread (or a sewing machine), loose batting and wooden kitchen skewers.
Start by cutting out the graphic HOP letters. Find easy to follow stencils at the local craft store. Trace onto the backside of the fabric twice for each letter.
Place the letters backside to backside and pin in place, then sew around the letters either with a simple hand stitch or using a sewing machine. If the thought of needles and thread doesn’t bring you joy, you can always use fabric glue! Start near the bottom of the letters. Finish off the letter about 90% of the way, then stuff with the loose batting and place the kitchen skewer into place before finishing off completely.
Want to know an awesome tip for making any cake taste infinitely better?
Add cream cheese to the batter!
For this red velvet cake, we used a cream cheese frosting, but we also added it to the batter for a super soft cake that melts in your mouth. It is a gloriously sweet way to end Easter (or any!) brunch.
To make the red velvet cake, you will need: 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup unsalted butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 4 large eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, 1/2 a block of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 1 tablespoon canola oil, 1 tsp vinegar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 4 tablespoons gel red food coloring.
For the cream cheese frosting, you will need: 1 block Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 1 stick butter, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 4 cups powdered sugar.
Red Velvet cream cheese cake
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 (9-inch) round cake pans.
Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.
Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl for about 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Next, beat in the eggs 1 at a time. Mix in the cream cheese, buttermilk, oil, vinegar, food coloring, and 2 teaspoons vanilla.
Gradually beat in sifted dry ingredients on low speed until just blended. Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to fully cool before removing from pan
Traditional cream cheese frosting
In the meantime mix the frosting. Use a hand mixer to beat the Philadelphia Cream Cheese, butter, and 2 teaspoons vanilla in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until smooth.
Use a serrated knife to take off any domes on the cake layers. Stack with the cream cheese frosting in the middle of each layer and a generous amount on top for a graphic cake that will be the star of a modern Easter gathering. Top the cake with the HOP HOP HOP and serve Easter dessert with a graphic twist this year.
Thanks to Philadelphia Cream Cheese for allowing me to partner with them to come up with some fresh and delicious recipes for the Easter season! Do you have any favorite Easter recipes using Philadelphia Cream Cheese? I’d love to hear your favorites in the comments below. **Note: I came up with this recipe and it is not an original Philadelphia Cream Cheese recipe.
(Photography ©A Subtle Revelry by Erin Holland).