Easter Sunday Desserts
Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
A pleasingly moist cake, this treat is the one I requested that my mom make each year for my birthday. It’s also one of my favorite Easter desserts. The fluffy buttery frosting is scrumptious with chopped walnuts stirred in. One piece of this homemade carrot cake is never enough—better than all the other carrot cakes recipes I’ve tried! —Kim Orr, West Grove, Pennsylvania
Marshmallow Easter Eggs
I’ve been making this traditional Easter dessert for years. These candy eggs are a big hit with everyone who loves marshmallows. —Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania(For another cute and sweet Easter treat, try these homemade Easter cake pops.)
Hippity Hop Bunny Cake
This cute, festive Easter cake will have your guests ‘hopping’ with happiness! Make the cake ahead and add the decorations close to it’s debut at your party or special occasion. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lime Divine Tarts
Enjoy a taste of spring with this traditional Easter dessert. These cute lime cups are impressive but easy to make. —Ann Yri, Lewisville, Texas
Layered Sherbet Dessert
Macaroons and pecans combine in this special layered sherbet dessert. Try garnishing with fresh strawberries and just listen to folks “ooh” and “ahh” when you bring this in! —Kathryn Dunn, Axton, Virginia
Mom-Mom Bessie’s Coconut Molasses Pie
I’m the keeper of my husband’s grandmother’s handwritten recipe book. Mom-Mom Bessie was one of the best cooks I knew, and we think of her every time we make this pie. The flavor combination of coconut and molasses is a family favorite. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Meringue Shells with Lemon Curd
We love a dazzling dessert of meringue shells filled with sunny lemon curd. It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy. Top it with whipped cream and berries. —Kris Brill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cupcake Easter Baskets
These cute cupcakes with their mild orange flavor are fun to dress up. As we raised four sons and a daughter, I prepared many, many school lunches and often added these sweet Easter desserts. —Julie Johnston, Shaunavon, Saskatchewan
Raspberry Mousse
This raspberry mousse recipe guarantees a creamy, smooth finale to any spring meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Orange Cinnamon Rolls
I’ve been making this recipe from my grandmother for years-it’s a favorite on Sunday mornings! The orange zest, juice and nuts give the rolls great flavor. —Donna Taylor, Southbridge, Massachusetts
Rhubarb Tart
The rhubarb flavor in this tart balances nicely with the honey and amaretto. The mascarpone cheese makes it rich and creamy. Sometimes I’ll even double the rhubarb for really sumptuous tarts. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Easter Lamb Cake
No Easter desserts list is complete without this cute cake! My grandmother started the tradition of making this molded Easter lamb cake when I was little. The memory is so special that I keep the lamb mold in my kitchen next to my cookbooks as a decoration. Make sure to grease and flour the mold really good so that the cake does not stick. — Debra Waggoner, Grand Island, Nebraska
Easter Sugar Cookies
Cream cheese contributes to the rich taste of these melt-in-your-mouth Easter cookies. They have such nice flavor, you can skip the frosting and sprinkle them with colored sugar for a change. — Julie Brunette, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Classic Lemon Meringue Pie
This is the one and only lemon meringue pie recipe you’ll ever need. The flaky and tender from-scratch crust is worth the effort. —Lee Bremson, Kansas City, Missouri
Cinnamon Coffee Cake
I love the excellent texture of this easy cinnamon coffee cake recipe. Always a crowd-pleaser, its pleasing vanilla flavor enriched by sour cream may remind you of breakfast at Grandma’s! Make it the night before a holiday to save time in the morning. —Eleanor Harris, Cape Coral, Florida
Broken Glass Dessert
When it’s cut into squares, this dessert looks just like stained-glass windows. The buttery graham cracker crust pairs perfectly with the lovely creamy topping. —Kathy Crow, Cordova, Alaska
Limoncello Tiramisu
We love everything about this wonderful dessert—from the light lemon flavor and creamy Mascarpone to the crunchy, crushed macaroon on top. We think you’ll enjoy it too.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Baklava
Many ethnic festivals are held in my city throughout the year. One in May is the Greek Hellenic Festival. My family enjoys baklava—a traditional walnut strudel. Once you learn how to make baklava, you’ll see it’s not difficult. Even working with phyllo is easier than you’d expect. Just have your ingredients ready to go and follow the directions on the package. The results are scrumptious and well worth the effort. —Judy Losecco, Buffalo, New York
Strawberry Trifle
I won first prize in a dairy recipe contest with this traditional Easter dessert. You can double the recipe and make two for large groups. —Norma Steiner, Monroe, Wisconsin
Over-the-Top Blueberry Bread Pudding
This delicious Southern blueberry bread pudding boasts out-of-this-world flavor and eye appeal. You just may want to skip the main course and go straight to dessert. It’s a favorite for our summer celebrations. —Marilyn Haynes, Sylacauga, Alabama
Lemon Layer Cake
This citrusy cake with a luscious cream cheese frosting will garner plenty of applause. The flavor, a duet of sweet and tangy notes, really sings. —Summer Goddard, Springfield, Virginia
Elegant Fresh Berry Tart
This elegant tart was my first original creation. If other fresh fruits are used, adjust the simple syrup flavor to match. —Denise Nakamoto, Elk Grove, California
Plum Streusel Kuchen
This recipe is actually called “platz” in German (meaning “flat”) and has been in my family since before I was born. The fresh fruits of summer make it a favorite, and it’s simply wonderful warm out of the oven. We enjoy this German plum cake with ice cream or whipped cream, too. —Lisa Warkentin, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Easter Bunny Treats
Our whole family has fun making these bunny-riffic treats together. They are just so cute! —Holly Jost, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Huckleberry Bear Claws
Beware: Bear claws may lead to bear hugs! My family can’t get enough of these quick, easy pastries made from homegrown huckleberries, especially when the treats are paired with a cup of coffee or tea. Use blueberries if you can’t find huckleberries. —Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana
Cookies & Cream Truffle Balls
For easy truffles, I roll cookies and cream cheese into balls and dunk them in white chocolate. The bright yellow color makes them a fun addition to your Easter desserts table. —Carla Giorgio, New York, New York
Armagnac Chocolate Almond Tart
I am a pecan pie lover…this is my twist on pecan pie. I use almonds instead of pecans and golden syrup instead of corn syrup. Both chocolate and Armagnac make this tart really special. Don’t skip on toasting the almonds, it brings out the nuttiness of the pie. — Phoebe Saad, Framingham, Massachusetts
Banana Pudding Cake
I love to make cakes, and my family loves banana pudding. One day while brainstorming in the kitchen, I came up with this banana pudding cake recipe to combine the two. My family and friends can’t get enough of it! If you are pressed for time, you may substitute whipped topping for the homemade sweetened whipped cream. —Tiffany Barbee, Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Contest-Winning Rhubarb Meringue Pie
My husband’s grandmother was an excellent cook, but she didn’t always share her secrets. Luckily, we have her rhubarb pie recipe. I added one of my favorite crusts and a never-fail meringue. —Elaine Sampson, Colesburg, Iowa
Traditional Cheesecake
Our Test Kitchen shares this recipe for a basic cheesecake that tastes great alone or with any number of garnishes. Try serving it with Raspberry Sauce and Sour Cream Topping.
Raspberry Moscow Mule Cake
This Moscow mule cake is my favorite cake I’ve ever made from scratch. It’s so moist and flavorful, and it reminds me of my favorite cocktail. —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri
Strawberry Jam Cake
When I need a cake for a special occasion, this is my go-to recipe because everyone is crazy about it. Every year I make it for a cake raffle we have at work for Relay for Life. It has raised a lot of money for a very good cause.—Tammy Urbina, Warner Robins, Georgia
Simple Lemon Mousse
This classic, simple lemon mousse recipe is the refreshing dessert you need. Serve it with fresh fruit or eat it alone. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Brandied Apricot Tart
Canned apricots make this golden, buttery tart a wonderful option any time of year. I brush them with preserves and brandy, then sprinkle on almonds for a bit of crunch. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
Incredible Coconut Cake
I found this recipe in a newspaper many years ago and modified it to suit my taste. This is my all-time favorite cake, and my family and friends absolutely love it. —Lynne Bassler, Indiana, Pennsylvania
Strawberry Shortcake
I grew up helping my mom make a lot in our farmhouse kitchen; roasts, soups, pies and strawberry shortcakes. This sunny strawberry shortcake recipe brings back memories of family summers on the farm. —Janet Becker, Anacortes, Washington
Traditional Hot Cross Buns
On Easter morning, our family always looked forward to a breakfast of dyed hard boiled eggs and Mom’s hot cross buns. I still serve these for special brunches or buffets. —Barbara Jean Lull, Fullerton, California
Springtime Beignets & Berries
I’ve always loved beignets, but never thought I could make them myself. Turns out they’re easy! Sometimes I’ll even make a quick berry whipped cream and pipe it inside for a fun surprise. —Kathi Hemmer, Grand Junction, Colorado
Bird’s Nest Treats
Easter dessert ideas don’t get any cuter! I make this birds nest recipe in the spring when the birds are starting to build their own nests. They are so easy to make and disappear just as fast. —Pam Painter, Poseyville, Indiana
Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
I make these banana bars with cream cheese frosting whenever I have ripe bananas on hand, then store them in the freezer to share later. With creamy frosting and big banana flavor, this treat is a real crowd-pleaser. —Debbie Knight, Marion, Iowa
Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Shortcake
This scratch-made strawberry buttermilk cake is a family favorite. My grandma even carries out our family tradition by making this old-fashioned recipe each summer. —Claudia Lamascolo, Melbourne, Florida
Toffee Brownie Trifle
This decadent combination of pantry items is a terrific way to dress up a brownie mix. Try this trifle with other flavors of pudding or substitute your favorite candy bar. It tastes great with low-fat and sugar-free products, too. —Wendy Bennett, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Audrey’s Lemon Meringue Bars
We are always trying to find new ways to use the fruit from our lemon tree. My 13-year-old daughter, Audrey, decided to combine two of my lemony favorites: lemon bars and lemon meringue pie. After several intense hours in the kitchen (and warding off her horde of brothers), these delicious lemon meringue bars were born. —Monica Fearnside, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Rhubarb Crumble Ice Cream
This rhubarb crumble ice cream combines two of my favorite Easter desserts into one fantastic creation! If you close your eyes, it actually tastes like you’re taking a bite of fresh rhubarb crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Throw this into a waffle cone and enjoy a classic springtime treat! —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Carrot Spice Thumbprint Cookies
Carrot cake is a family favorite, and these delicious cookies taste just like it with shredded carrots, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, cinnamon and cloves. And they’re topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. Who could resist? Each cookie is like eating a piece of carrot cake, but with no fork needed! —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Yogurt-Ricotta Cheesecake
I have always liked Italian ricotta cheesecakes, but they have too much sugar for me. This version is diabetic-friendly, and my family couldn’t even tell! Serve this cheesecake with sugar-free strawberry ice cream topping and fresh strawberries. —Diane Shipley, Mentor, Ohio
Grandma’s Carrot Cake
My grandma was very special to me. She had a big country kitchen that was full of wonderful aromas any time we visited. This was one of her prized cake recipes, and it continues to be a favorite from generation to generation. —Denise Strasz, Detroit, Michigan
Shortbread Lemon Tart
For a change from ordinary lemon bars, we added orange peel to both the crust and filling and turned the recipe into a tart. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Easter Nest Torte
In this traditional Easter dessert, a luscious cake layer nestles rich mousse and chocolate “twigs.” Your guests won’t be able to get enough of this unique Easter nest cake recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Berry Tartlets
Bring spring flavors together in these delectable miniature tarts. Raspberries and blueberries both work well with the whipped cream and lemon curd mixture or choose your favorite berries instead. These sweet treats are great for a ladies tea, brunch or spring holiday celebration. —Mary J. Walters, Westerville, Ohio
Hummingbird Cake
This impressive hummingbird cake is my dad’s favorite, so I always make it for his birthday. It’s also one of our favorite Easter desserts. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Overnight Cherry Danish
These rolls with their cherry-filled centers melt in your mouth and store well, unfrosted, in the freezer. —Leann Sauder, Tremont, Illinois
Homemade Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
This light and airy yellow cake is moist but not too sweet, and the caramelized rhubarb topping adds tangy flavor and visual appeal. We like it served with strawberry ice cream. —Joyce Rowe, Stratham, New Hampshire
Italian Ricotta Easter Bread
I changed our family’s traditional Easter bread by adding ricotta and a few other ingredients. The almond flavoring works wonders! — Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Sunny Citrus Cheesecake
This beautiful layered cheesecake takes a bit longer to make, but the end result is so worth it! Citrus seems to be the perfect ending for an Easter meal, and the bright flavors really shine in this dessert. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Mamaw Emily’s Strawberry Cake
My husband loved his mamaw’s strawberry cake recipe. He thought no one could duplicate it. I made it, and it’s just as scrumptious as he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky
Easter Egg Cookies
My mother started baking these cookies with me and my eight brothers and sisters when I was a child, and I carried on the tradition with our four youngsters when they were little. Now, my children are grown and can make these cookies with their own tots. —Barbara Neuweg, West Point, Iowa
Lemon Blueberry Bread
Of all the quick breads we had growing up, this beautifully glazed berry-studded loaf is the best! The lemon glaze adds a lustrous finish and locks in moisture. —Julianne Johnson, Grove City, Minnesota
Blue-Ribbon Butter Cake
I found this buttercake recipe in an old cookbook I bought at a garage sale and couldn’t wait to try it. I knew it had been someone’s favorite because of the well-worn page. —Joan Gertz, Palmetto, Florida
Sky-High Strawberry Pie
This pie is my specialty. It’s fairly simple to make but so dramatic to serve. The ultimate taste of spring, this luscious pie has such a big, fresh berry taste. I’ve had many requests to bring it to gatherings. —Janet Mooberry, Peoria, Illinois
