My youngest son has taken it upon himself to write to the office of the governor of different states. While he has sent out many letters, the first returned was from Governor Mark Parkinson of Kansas.
He felt quite proud receiving his letter as well as some other materials teaching him about life in that state. He couldn’t wait to take it to school and share it with his class.
To celebrate, what could be better than a cake replicated as a sunflower, which happens to be the state flower of Kansas. Coincidently, it just so happens to be the time of year when Peeps are available everywhere, easily making the petals on this cake.
Overall, the cake is very striking and would look beautiful on your Easter table. I also think it would make an adorable birthday cake for a little girl’s “Sunflower and Ladybug’s” party.
Easy to prepare but quite impressive, make it for your family soon.
I wanted a tall cake with layers so I used my favorite yellow cake and milk chocolate frosting recipe and doubled it.
The chocolate chips in the middle are placed in a circular pattern to resemble the seeds in the middle of a sunflower.
Beautiful on the inside and out.
Peeps Sunflower Cake
Adapted from Taste of Home
Your favorite yellow cake recipe (here’s mine) doubled, depending on how many layers you want or 2 packages yellow cake mix** (or just one, again, dependent on how many layers)
Your favorite chocolate frosting recipe or 2 cans chocolate frosting
18-20 yellow chick Peeps candies
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Prepare and bake cakes using prepared 9-inch round baking pans (I wanted four layers so I doubled my cake recipe and divided it among four pans; if you make a boxed mix use 2 packages and divide among four pans as well. Making a two layer cake is also acceptable, no doubling required).
After cakes have cooled, make sure to level the tops so the cakes sit evenly on top of each other. Spread the frosting between the layers and over the top and sides of cake.
Without separating Peeps and curving slightly to fit, arrange chicks around edge of cake for sunflower petals. For sunflower seeds, arrange chocolate chips in center of cake.
**I am often asked about which grocery store boxed cake mix I think is the best. Hands down I believe it’s Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe, Butter Recipe Golden…their is no comparison.
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dawn says
Seriously, that is the cutest cake I’ve ever seen!
Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now says
Oh my goodness that is just absolutely adorable! My sister loves sunflowers so I may have to borrow your idea some time for her. Thanks for sharing!
The Italian Dish says
That is just too funny! How clever. Looks so good!
Blond Duck says
How cute is that!
HoneyB says
So adorable! Now, I have to say, I’m jealous of your sun and is that green grass? I’m really jealous. I need to get out of NYS for many reasons!
leslie says
That is the cutest cake ever!!!!
Biz says
Love it!! My daughter LOVES peeps – and I imagine if you had a daughter you would throw her the frilliest parties! đŸ˜€
Tami Lyn says
How cute is that?!
Pamela says
That cake is striking! I made something similar for my youngest daughter & her April “gardening” birthday party when she was eight. I made a cake as you did, but only one layer, placed on a large flat platter. Instead of Peeps I used Twinkies for sunflower petals. I like the Peeps idea more. The boys and girls decorated clay pots, filled them with soil and planted pansies within their pots to take home. Great party favor.
Ginny says
Adorable! i love peeps!
Jenni in KS says
One of my favorite flowers paired with one of my favorite treats! (It’s the Peeps, not the cake, lol.) If your son needs any more Kansas info. or goodies, let me know. I’d be happy to send him some.
elra says
I can imagine how excited he is going to share this with class mate. I hope will get more letters to come from other states. And you Cathy, you are one adorable mom. He will be so proud to show this cake too, he’ll say, my mom made this for me!
Spinach Tiger says
Oh no you didn’t! Now I have to do this cake. It’s for the boys of course.
dawn says
i don’t know what i love more, the fact that your son has a take charge attitude or this cake. love it.
Karen Deborah says
adorable! I like to doctor up cake mixes, even a squirt of real vanilla makes them taste better. I love this design it is darling!!
Mental P Mama says
That is adorable!!!!!
Jennifer says
That cake is way too cute. And good for your son! I hope he gets many more letters!
gfe--gluten free easily says
I agree … that is THE cutest cake ever. I love sunflowers! Peeps are gluten free, too. đŸ™‚
Shirley
Lisa says
That is truly adorable! Beats my use of genuine sunflower petals in terms of cuteness, perhaps in terms of taste as well. You guys are very clever!
Audrey at Barking Mad says
How stinkin’ cute is that!!!! This is definitely something Gaby and I will be doing together! I absolutely love this.
Julie says
I had to call my dtr over here to look at this, and she says “that looks like a sunflower!” She’s so perceptive. This is just the cutest thing.
annbb says
What an adorable cake! Easter perfection.
Mary says
This is reall too cute for words. You are wonderfully creative. I’ll bet the boys got a kick out of this.
Lydia says
If there were an award for “Best use of Peeps”, this cake would win, hands down!
BethieofVA says
Oh, this has been on my to do list since last year. Adorable!!
Lorena says
Woot! YEA for KANSAS!!!! =)
Cheryl says
Okay, that is SOOOO going to be on the Easter table. Adorable AND with chocolate chips and Peeps. All the right ingredients!
Memoria says
Why would this be appropriate for a GIRL’S “sunflower and ladybugs” cake? Why wouldn’t it be appropriate for any gender?
It looks really moist. Did you use cake mix, or was this made totally from scratch?
David says
you just made my status update on facebook. HUGE peep fan.. and saw this on their site. lol.. keep up the good work
grace says
and here i thought peeps were useless. this is a great way to encourage their consumption (as well as your son’s communication skills!). đŸ™‚
bellini valli says
It IS beautiful inside and out. Peeps do come in handy and are a throwback from my childhood.
Lena in VT says
That is so cute I could spit. I am going to make for Easter as well.
Marjie says
It is very cute! And who doesn’t like Peeps?
The Teacher Cooks says
What a great idea. Your cake is stunning with four perfect layers and that yummy chocolate icing.
June says
Adorable and delicious! Good heavens, where do you find the time?
Pam says
What a beautiful cake! I am sure you son thought it was tasty and very special. I would love a slice right now.
Livin Local says
What an adorable cake!
Year on the Grill says
Incredible… You have the best presentation… Happy easter, and speaking as a displaced Kansan, Happy that your son was taken care of by the representative of the good people of Kansas!
Rachel the SdOC says
What a big beautiful cake. Also such a clever use of Peeps. Who would have thought?
Taht’s a fun project your son is working on. As a kid another state is like being in another country. I know I felt that way growing up because my family never travelled much or very far. What a great way to cultivate that sense of wonder about your own country!
giz says
How cute is that. Your kids must think you’re wonder woman. You’re doing a great job making terrific memories.
Juliana says
Oh! This cake is so cute…such a nice way to celebrate Easter đŸ™‚
Bob says
Heh, that’s awesome. Kinda trippy. đŸ˜‰
Melissa says
What a great idea! So glad to hear something good about Kansas from another state! You should come visit sometime! This is a truly beautiful state and I love living here đŸ™‚
Robin Sue says
Totally cute! My daughter would love this.
lisaiscooking says
Yellow cake with chocolate frosting is just the best, and this is one pretty sunflower!
Debbie says
That is absolutely one impressive cake and I love it!!! A great idea….
5 Star Foodie says
Such a cute cake! Very neat with peeps!
Patty says
That’s so cute and so very “spring-y”, such a work of art. Great post!
Julia says
Oh, that is very impressive! I always dream of being a good cake decorator — and I think I might be able to pull this one off. How fun!
Katrina says
THAT looks awesome!!! Beings how we live in Kansas (right now), we claim that super awesomeness. Kansas Day is Jan. 29–a perfect day for this cake! I’m going to send the link to some friends. Love it! And YAY for Kansas replying first!
LilSis says
Not only is the cake adorable, but those layers look deliciously moist!
Danielle says
I love this! I am making a cake for my mother’s birthday this Sunday and she will love this! Now I am on the hunt for a great chocolate frosting…I hate the canned stuff! Thanks for sharing this!
Dan says
Hi, Kathy. This is the best use of Peeps ever! Great idea.
I really enjoy your blog. Thanks very much.
Kayola says
You are my idol!!!!!! EVERYTHING you do is amazing….this is just the best use of peeps ever….definately want to do this for Easter……thank you for the idea….you my friend are my bluebird of happiness….hahahahaha
Jennifer Fun House says
So cute!! My kids would love this cake!!
Anthony says
i’ve made one similar to this and everyone luvs it especially the children Thanx for refreshing my memory!
Kelly says
I made this for my daughter’s first birthday party. It was a big hit. Thank you đŸ™‚
Christi says
Thanks for the idea. I made it twice, once for a co-workers birthday and once for my family. My daughters loved it.
Lori says
Okay…this is so cute and totally justifies the purchase of Peeps for something more than Easter candy!
Laura says
I just made this. Its so cute! I’ve made a cake before and this was really easy. This is a nice way to slowly start baking đŸ™‚
Kelly says
Huge hit for Easter dinner! And my first ever layer cake!
Kenzie says
How cute! My daughter loves peeps so much.. I should save some from Easter and make this cake for her in June.. Peeps never go bad! They are like twinkies.. haha.
-Kenzie
Propane Burners
onketing india says
Thanks for the method for preparation of a great cake. Thanks for sharing.
mosquito magnet reviews says
I am getting voracious by the sight of the cake. Clean and nice post. And the pics rock.