Easter Malteser Bunny Cake!

As Easter is only a week away now I decided it was time to start making some Easter themed bakes!  I've seen so many ideas on other blogs I want to try, especially the adorable Creme Egg lambs from The Pink Whisk, sooooo cute!  Definitely going to be giving those a go with my daughter as we'll most likely be snowed in this weekend!

This is a very simple cake as the bunnies are shop bought (on offer at Tesco at the moment!)  and the cake batter is a 'one bowl, chuck it all in and whisk' recipe. It's also super quick to make and decorate but still looks impressive.

Personally I love layer cakes but  you could easily scale down the recipe and bake it as little cupcakes which would be even quicker.  This cake will serve 10 people generously and stay fresh for a good few days so it's a great one to bake for the upcoming bank holiday weekend if you'll have friends and family over.  Plus who doesn't love Malteser bunnies!!!!

For the Cake :
300g plain flour
225g caster sugar
60g cocoa powder
3 large eggs
200ml vegetable oil
200ml milk
50ml black coffee
tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp golden syrup
3 large eggs
1.5tsp bicarbonate of soda
1.5 tsp baking powder

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C / 350 degrees F.
Grease and line two 20cm round cake tins.
In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, bicarb and baking powder.  Make a well in the centre.
Crack the eggs into the well, followed by the oil, milk, coffee, vanilla and golden syrup.
Whisk together using an electric hand whisk until you have a shiny smooth batter.
Divide equally between the tins and bake for 30 - 35 minutes until the top springs back when pressed lightly.
Cool in the tins for 10 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Malt Buttercream:
 60g soft unsalted butter
150g icing sugar
2 - 3 tbsp malt powder (Horlicks, Ovaltine, etc)
2 - 3 tbsp milk

Beat the butter and icing sugar together using a wooden spoon (this stops icing sugar flying everywhere and covering everything in your kitchen!)
Beat in the malt powder and enough milk to make a soft pipeable icing.  Use 2 tbsp malt powder for a subtle flavour or add the extra spoonful if you want it stronger.
Whisk the icing using an electric hand whisk until light and fluffy.  Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.

To Assemble the Cake:
10 Malteser mini bunnies (2 packets)
Handful of Smarties (or Mini Eggs, jelly beans, etc

 Place 1 cake layer onto your cake stand / plate.
Pipe an even layer of buttercream on top going around the edge in a circle, the star tip gives a nice neat edge.
Place the second cake on top and pipe 10 stars around the edge.
 Pipe any remaining buttercream into the centre of the cake and spread out with the back of a spoon.  Sprinkle over the Smarties and top each star with a bunny, facing outwards.