Trader Joe's Cake Hack You Need for Easter

If you love Trader Joe’s as much as I do, then this is the Easter dessert hack you’ve been waiting for. I took a basic frozen cheesecake and turned it into a festive Easter Bunny Cake using only ingredients from Trader Joe’s (okay, except one little drop of green food coloring). No baking stress and no store-hopping — just one magical Trader Joe’s haul away. (Not an ad, I'm just a big fan of TJ's.)

This cute, no-bake cake is fun, fabulous, and ridiculously easy to put together. With a few sweet shortcuts and some spring-themed toppings, you’ll have an adorable centerpiece that looks like you spent hours on it (but didn’t). Bunny magic? Absolutely.

Why I Love This Trader Joe's Cake Hack

• Besides being delicious and darling, this cake is what I call a low-lift, high-reward dessert.

• It starts with Trader Joe’s Frozen New York Style Cheesecake (a total hidden gem), and then we dress it up with coconut “grass,” raspberry mini mousse cakes, speckled chocolate eggs, and a chocolate bunny front and center.

• It’s perfect for Easter brunch, dessert tables, or even a fun project with kids.

• Plus, it’s no-bake, which means less mess and more time for egg hunts and chocolate tasting (for quality control, of course).

What you need

Ingredient Notes

Here’s everything I used — all from Trader Joe’s except for the food coloring:

• Frozen New York Style Cheesecake - Trader Joe’s – creamy, rich, and ready to go straight from the freezer.

• Unsweetened Flake Coconut - Trader Joe’s – toss with green food coloring to make edible Easter grass.

• Raspberry Mousse Cakes - Trader Joe’s – soft, sweet mini cakes that add a pop of pink.

• Candy Coated Dark Chocolate Almonds - Trader Joe’s – crunchy, pretty, and festive.

• Break Apart Bunny - Trader Joe’s – the star of the show! Pop it right on top.

• Chocolate Almond Spread - Trader Joe’s – used as “glue” to hold everything in place.

• Green Food Coloring – just a couple drops mixed with coconut for that grassy effect.

How to Make this Trader Joe's Cake Hack You Need for Easter

1. Thaw the Cheesecake - Let the frozen cheesecake sit at room temperature for about 1–2 hours, or until soft enough to decorate.

2. Make the Coconut Grass - Add a few drops of green food coloring to a zip-top bag with the shredded coconut. Shake until evenly colored. Or stir it up in a bowl.

3. Spread the Chocolate - Add a thin layer of chocolate almond spread over the back of each raspberry mousse cake to act as edible glue and stick them to the sides of the cheesecake, all the way around.

4. Assemble the Bunny Scene - Scoop the green coconut onto the top of the cake. Add the chocolate bunny to the center, and scatter speckled eggs for a finishing touch.

5. Chill Until Ready to Serve - Keep refrigerated until serving time. It slices beautifully!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use a different kind of cake? Yes! Any store-bought round one-layer cake or cheesecake will work.

• How far in advance can I make it? You can assemble the cake up to a day in advance. Just keep it chilled until you’re ready to serve.

• Do I have to use green food coloring? Not at all! You could use naturally colored coconut or leave it white for a snowy spring vibe. Or you could toast the coconut, if desired.

Quick Tips

• Let the cheesecake thaw just enough so it’s soft but still firm enough to decorate.

• Place cake on pretty plate or cake stand. To help it to keep from sliding, try using a small piece of non-stick drawer liner on the cake plate before you place the cheesecake which comes with a little cake board underneath it (keep that there).

• Use a serrated knife to slice through the toppings and cake cleanly.

• Store any leftovers in the fridge — if there are any!

• If you're a Trader Joe’s fan or just love a good shortcut dessert, this is one you have to try. It’s cute, quick, and totally crave-worthy — perfect for your Easter table or spring celebration.

• Let me know if you make it! Tag me @momlovesbaking and share your Bunny Cake Glow-Up!

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Love this recipe? If you try it, be sure to tag me on @Instagram! You can also find me on Pinterest, YouTube and Facebook