Aunt Mary's Delicious Bunny Cake

Recipe View Position a rack in the lower third of your oven.

Recipe View Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Recipe View Generously grease and flour a cake mold pan (such as a bunny cake or train cake mold) using vegetable shortening. Ensure every nook and cranny is coated to prevent sticking.

Recipe View In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures a light and airy texture.

Recipe View In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, lemon extract, vanilla extract, and orange extract. Set aside.

Recipe View In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy and smooth (1-2 minutes). Gradually add the white sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 5 more minutes). Remember to scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure even mixing.

Recipe View Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.

Recipe View Reduce the mixer speed to low. Gradually add the flour mixture in several additions, alternating with the milk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Be careful not to overbeat the batter. Scrape the bowl occasionally.

Recipe View Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pan.

Recipe View Bake in the preheated oven until the cake is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (30-45 minutes).

Recipe View Place the cake pan on a wire rack and let it cool for 15 minutes before inverting the pan to remove the cake. Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack (3-4 hours) before frosting.

Recipe View In a clean bowl, beat together the vegetable shortening, 1/2 cup butter, confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and creamy.

Recipe View Transfer the frosting to a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag. Force the frosting into one corner of the bag. Clip a small corner off the plastic bag, seal the bag, and pipe the frosting onto the cooled cake in your desired pattern. Get creative with your decorations!