Spring is here and that means Easter is on the way. I’m often the one who totes an Easter cake along to the family function, and while fancy and impressive Easter cakes are often a go-to dessert for Easter celebrations, there are so many fresh flavors (strawberry, lemon, blueberry, and rhubarb to name a few!) to take advantage of when spring rolls around. And that means there is a variety of other desserts to go along with Easter lunch or dinner that are just as delicious and worthwhile.
From citrusy cheesecakes to a blueberry-studded loaf and adorable cupcakes to sweets topped with mini candy eggs, these desserts are sure to delight both kids and adults. And many of the recipes are easy and approachable no matter your level of baking experience—you don’t have to be a professional to create something delicious and enjoyable. Whether you go for a cute dessert or one worthy of the table centerpiece, these recipes are sure to add a dash of sweetness to your Easter celebration.
Honey Lemon Cheesecake
This honey-sweetened cheesecake recipe from The Antique Sandwich Co. in Tacoma, WA, is an elegant make-ahead dessert. It starts as all delicious cheesecakes do, with a buttery crust. The filling is flavored with lemon and a sweet dose of honey, as is the sour cream topping that’s spread across the top shortly after the cheesecake is removed from the oven. After a chill in the fridge—which makes this recipe a great make-ahead option for Easter—more honey is drizzled over the top for good measure.
Get the recipe for Honey Lemon Cheesecake.
Peanut Butter and Candy Egg Blondies
Peanut butter lovers, these blondies might just be your new favorite thing. This recipe is a favorite around the Country Living office, and we’re sure your family and Easter guests will love it as much as we do. The blondie dough is easy to whip up; the most involved part involves blending peanuts and flour in a food processor to create a sort of peanut flour. Creamy peanut butter is added as well, so you get plenty of that sweet and slightly salty flavor. Candy eggs are the perfect seasonal addition, making these treats a delightful snack for Easter gatherings.
Get the recipe for Peanut Butter and Candy Egg Blondies.
Strawberry-Rhubarb Biscuit Cobbler
Strawberries and rhubarb are a classic spring flavor combination, which also makes them a great option for Easter baking. When they’re in season, we love taking advantage of sweet berries and tangy rhubarb, and they come together in this cobbler to create a filling that bubbles into glossy perfection in the oven. This cobbler is topped with buttery biscuits and served warm with scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Get the recipe for Strawberry-Rhubarb Biscuit Cobbler.
Easter Nest Cupcakes
As Easter treats begin popping up on social media and recipe websites, it’s a sure bet you’ll see plenty sweet creations shaped like nests. From nest cookies to edible nest garnishes on cakes, nests are a popular way to celebrate spring and the Easter season. Here, dark chocolate cake is topped with grasslike frosting and the cutest little nest with three pastel chocolate mini-eggs. We used some very basic piping tips to create these decorations, but feel free to use whatever you have at home.
Get the recipe for Easter Nest Cupcakes.
Blueberry-Lemon Loaf Cake
This pretty loaf cake is easy to assemble, but the real star of this sweet show is the floral topping. Edible violas take this cake from an everyday snack to a spring treat worthy of an Easter celebration. We used violas because they echo the hue of the blueberries, but marigolds, lilacs, or cornflowers would work well here too. Browse your local farmers' market for edible flowers and for the freshest varieties.
Get the recipe for Blueberry-Lemon Loaf Cake.
Bunny Cupcakes
Are these not the cutest little cupcakes you've ever seen? They also happen to be pretty darn easy to make. The cupcakes themselves are a classic yellow cake, but you could add flavorings to spruce it up if you’d like. Coconut, lemon, and strawberry would all be delicious options. You don’t need any special piping tools or skills to decorate these cupcakes either. Marshmallow ears and pink pearl noses top a coconut-covered frosting to make sweet little cakes that'll hop right off the platter!
Get the recipe for Bunny Cupcakes.
Strawberry-Lemonade Angel Pie
This elegant and impressive dessert is a great one to save if you’re looking for a gluten-free option this Easter. It’s a classic midcentury American dessert that is, as Jocelyn Delk Adams puts it, "like a reverse lemon meringue pie." Instead of a traditional piecrust, a sweet meringue crust takes its place. You end up with a base that is wonderfully light, airy, and sweet. It’s then filled with a sweet-tart lemon filling and topped with plenty of whipped cream and fresh strawberries. It’s a truly delightful treat for your friends and family on Easter.
Get the recipe for Strawberry-Lemonade Angel Pie.
Chocolate Mini Easter Egg Cookies
I, personally, am a huge fan of Cadbury Mini Eggs. If you are too, then drop everything and make these cookies! They’re like the best chocolate chip cookies ever with the addition of crushed mini eggs. The candied shells add a little bit of crunch, and chocolate interiors turn into melty pools of chocolate. A little sprinkle of sea salt on top takes these cookies over the top. This recipe is a fun one to make and get the kids involved.
Get the recipe for Chocolate Mini Easter Egg Cookies.
No-Bake Lemon Bar Cheesecake
Let the Easter ham have the oven! You don’t need it to create an elegant dessert worthy of Easter Sunday. I love no-bake cheesecakes because of how light and creamy they are, and this one is no exception. The filling is flavored with fresh lemon juice and zest, plus lemon curd. (You can make your own or use your favorite store-brand.) If you’re having family and guests over for Easter lunch, this cheesecake can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the fridge. Just add the freshly whipped cream and lemon garnishes before serving.
Get the recipe for No-Bake Lemon Bar Cheesecake.
Carrot Patch Cupcakes
If you’re like me and you’re very much a baker and not someone who has a green thumb, creating these little garden-inspired cupcakes is definitely the way to go. They’re perfect for spring, but we also love them for the Easter bunny. (You might even pair them with some Bunny Cupcakes from above.) Pipe dollops of orange icing in the center of each cupcake and top with fresh mint sprigs. Then carefully place the cupcakes into mini 2 1/2-inch terra-cotta pots.
