Whether you’re a total newbie or a bona fide pastry chef, spring is the PERFECT time to take your dessert-making to the *next level* — and Easter is the pinnacle holiday of springtime. Here are 50 of our favorite Easter dessert recipes to swoon over, from rainbow cakes and Peep desserts to carrot cake and gourmet cupcakes.
1. Spring Pastel Confetti Cake: Even if the flowers aren’t in full bloom, this cake will compensate. Cutting into this beauty is like an explosion of springtime — and it’s delicious to boot. (via Brit + Co)
2. Checkerboard Cake: This cake is something the great British baker, Mary Berry, would call a “showstopper.” Just look at it! How do you even do that? We’ll show you with full instructions that are actually much easier than you’d think. (via Brit + Co)
3. Peep Brownie Pops: Little ones will love helping decorate these sweet brownie pops. You can cut the cooled brownies into rectangles, or pick up an ice-cream-pop cookie cutter to mimic the shape of real popsicles. (via Munchkin Munchies)
4. Easter Oreo Bark: This festive treat is super easy to make — just melt white chocolate and adorn with crushed Oreos and pastel M&Ms. Sweetly wrapped candy bark would make a great party favor for your Easter brunch attendees. (via Lil’ Luna)
5. Polka Dot Cake: This intricate cake is a lot easier to make than it looks (especially if you happen to have a cake pop maker at home). Use an extra package of Peeps to bribe a kid in your family to help if you feel like delegating some of the steps. (via Made from Pinterest)
6. Zingy Orange Ginger Carrot Cake With White Chocolate Icing: Carrot cake is an Easter classic. This version gives it an upgrade by adding creamy white chocolate frosting and spicy ginger. (via Sweetapolita)
7. Peeps Rice Krispies Eggs: Your peeps won’t be able to get over how cute these Peeps Rice Krispies eggs are. The mock egg shells are made from melted white chocolate coated with a layer of glitter sprinkles, then adorned with real Peeps for a majorly on-theme treat. (via Brit + Co)
8. Easter Egg Fudge: This could be the easiest fudge EVER. Use chocolate chips, peanut butter cups, and condensed milk to DIY this yummy recipe. (via Brit + Co)
9. Shredded Carrot Ice Cream: Easter Bunny-approved ice cream cones! How cute is this presentation? (via A Subtle Revelry)
10. Easy Rose Cupcake Bouquet: We know; we know — this is way too pretty to eat. Well, maybe we could have just one. This super inventive cupcake bouquet doubles as an edible centerpiece. (via Roxy’s Kitchen)
11. Easter Blossom Sugar Cookies: Everyone loves blossoms during Christmastime, but it doesn’t take much to whip up a super springtime-y versions. Take these cookies, for example, which are sprinkled in pretty-hued sugar and topped with a kiss. (via My Kitchen Craze)
12. Easter Egg Cookie Dough Truffles: Forget everything your parents said about not eating cookie dough. These Easter egg cookie dough truffles are egg free, and therefore totally safe! Just try not to eat them all before your guests arrive… (via Wine and Glue)
13. Chocolate “Confetti” Eggs: We made these last year for an edible take on cascarones (AKA confetti eggs). You simply buy hollow chocolate eggs, slice off the top, fill with candy and sprinkles, then secure the top back on with melted chocolate. (via Brit + Co)
14. Sugar Cookies: Who doesn’t love a good sugar cookie? Use your fave recipe and a cookie cutter to shape ’em into eggs. Oh, and don’t forget about the gorgeous ombre icing. (via The Kitchen McCabe)
15. Carrot Cake: Half cupcakes, half mason jar recipes, we love these springtime-y treats. Try these single-serving carrot cakes, and learn to make your own frosting to boot. (via Whipperberry)
16. Salted Caramel Easter Popcorn: Still haven’t made our Polka Dot Party Popcorn? Mix it up by adding Easter candy and salted caramel. (via Two Peas and Their Pod)
17. Robins Egg Speckled Cookies: We’re thinking these might be the prettiest Easter treats in all the land. And that robin’s-egg look is a nice alternative to the traditional brightly colored frosting. (via The Miniature Mouse)
18. Bird’s Nest Cupcakes: Chirp, chirp. Make a nest of coconut for these homemade birdies to roost. We were pretty surprised at just how simple it is to decorate these cupcakes. (via Cooking Classy)
19. Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake: Whippy, fluffy, and fruity, this layer cake is PERFECT for springtime. The more fresh fruit you can throw on top, the better. (via Sally’s Baking Addiction)
20. Robin’s Eggs Malted Milkshake: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. This milkshake will bring ALL the Easter bunnies to the yard. (via Pass the Sushi)
21. Flower Pot Cookies: We’re imagining little ones getting messy with these little dirt pots, and we can’t think of a cuter photo op. Learn to make your own chocolate cookie mud frosting, so everyone can get delightfully dirty this holiday. (via The Gunny Sack)
22. Cookie Pops: Not in the mood to make something super intricate? Just spread peanut butter on crackers and cover with icing and sprinkles. Yep, it’s that easy. (via Daily Crave)
23. Boozy Cadbury Creme Egg Milkshakes: Upgrade your boozy milkshake with some Cadbury Creme Eggs OR improve your Cadbury Creme Eggs with a boozy milkshake — the choice is yours! Any way you blend it, you’ve got a delicious dessert. Top with sprinkles for cuteness. (via Food Fanatic)
24. Mini Easter Cheesecake: How adorable are this little individually sized cheesecakes? Two malted eggs on top make for the perfect dessert topper. (via Simply Stacie)
25. Oatmeal Peanut Butter Eggs: What do you get when you mix together rolled oats, syrup, chocolate chips, and a few other basics? The cutest (and yummiest!) granola egg we’ve ever seen. (via Savy Naturalista)
26. Carrot Garden Cupcakes: You don’t need a green thumb to sprout these carrot cupcakes, but you will learn some awesome skills to add to your baking roster. Not a bad trade, if you ask us. Spoiler: The carrots are Mike and Ike’s. We couldn’t help but spill the beans. (via Everyday Savvy)
27. Cheescake Filled Chocolate Easter Eggs: We know it’s not a contest, but if it were, you could get a leg up with these cheesecake-filled eggs. Chocolate + cheesecake + passionfruit “yolk?” YUM. (via Raspberri Cupcakes)
28. Macarons: It’s no secret that macarons are all the rage these days, so why not whip up a batch for your dessert table? We’re especially loving the bright pastel colors and cute icing designs on these. (via Get Creative Juice)
29. Candylicious Junkyard Cookies: This cookie recipe strongly encourages you to clean out your candy jar. Though it calls for specific candy like M&Ms and Kit Kat bars, you can throw in whatever chocolate-based candy you have on hand. Trust us: Your cookie will come out equally delicious. (via A Zesty Bite)
30. Candy Bar Pie: As if pie weren’t enough to please your guests, this pie’s made with chocolate candy bars. Though this pie is more like a giant cookie in the shape of a pie, we’re still in heaven. (via Crazy for Crust)
31. S’mores Peeps: Turn regular ol’ s’mores into brightly colored sandwiches for fairies. The chocolate-dipped graham crackers remind us of fairy bread, but the colorful Peeps make these s’mores oh-so magical. (via Brit + Co)
32. Cheesecake Filled Chocolate Easter Eggs: Well, it looks like an egg, but there’s cake inside. Imagine hiding these eggs all over for the kiddos to find. We bet they wouldn’t make it back with much in their baskets. (via Cupcake Project)
33. Skinny Easter Egg Cake Balls: If you can’t make up your mind about what to bake, get inspired by these cake pops. You can decorate them in all of your favorite colors. (via Skinny Taste)
34. Spring Confetti Bars: The more colorful you can make the toppings on these confetti bars, the better. With a light vanilla flavor and tons of candy-coated sweetness, these bars are sure to be a major crowd-pleaser. (via Chelsea’s Messy Apron)
35. Jelly Bean Donuts: Finally, a socially acceptable way to eat jelly beans for breakfast. If you don’t have a donut pan handy, that’s okay. You can make jelly bean muffins! (via Melanie Makes)
36. Springtime Cupcake in a Jar: Springtime is all about pastels, and this mason jar recipe is all about pinks, yellows, purples, and light blues. Bonus points for topping these bad boys with unicorn-colored sprinkles. (via Two Sisters Crafting)
37. Peeps Skillet Dip: If you know someone who doesn’t love Peeps, make this for them and they’ll definitely be a convert. It’s just about the most fun way to get everyone around the table together. (via Brit + Co)
38. Sugar Cookie Easter Nests: A pinch of coconut applied to the top of these sugar cookies toasts up nicely in the oven, giving each one the illusion of Easter grass. With their buttery, sweet flavor, you can enjoy filling them with chocolate eggs and so much more. (via Lovely Little Kitchen)
39. 30-Minute Easter Basket Cake: Your guests will be doubly stunned when you present this cake. Adorned with candies and cookies, the presentation is not only beautiful, but what awaits them inside isn’t really cake at all — it’s actually a giant Rice Krispies treat. (via Something Swanky)
40. 30-Minute Easter Basket Cake: Your guests will be doubly stunned when you present this cake. Adorned with candies and cookies, the presentation is not only beautiful, but what awaits them inside isn’t really cake at all — it’s actually a giant Rice Krispies treat. (via Something Swanky)
41. Spring Chocolate Covered Pretzels: These chocolate-covered pretzels get their pizzazz from different colored candy melts. You can prep both the chocolate and the candy melts in a microwave, making this one of the simplest desserts out there. (via Deliciously Sprinkled)
42. Mini Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies: Not to be confused with macarons, which are made from meringue, whoopie pies are essentially two cookies sandwiched together by sweet cream. These carrot cake whoopie pies are the ideal treat for Easter. (via If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen)
43. Strawberry Donuts: These aren’t your typical fast-food donuts. Make them, then seal these cake donuts in an airtight container after they cool. Then, on the day of, simply dip these babies in a festive pink strawberry Greek yogurt icing and let set. See how easy that was? (via Brit + Co)
44. Four-Ingredient Easter Egg Oreo Truffles: Knowing you only need four ingredients to make these Easter egg Oreo truffles takes their decadence to a whole other level. They’re just as delicious as a more labor-intensive dessert — it’s a win-win. (via Gimme Some Oven)
45. Nest Cupcakes: This one’s for all the lazy girls out there. These ridiculously easy-to-make cupcakes couldn’t be simpler to decorate. Whip up your favorite cupcake recipe (store-bought included), and top it with chocolate frosting and Jordan almonds. (via Your Cup of Cake)
46. Chocolate Easter Bunny Cake: This chocolate bunny cake wins Easter. The tasty dessert doubles as an eye-catching centerpiece, and an easy how-to gives you full instructions on recreating this beauty at home. (via The Cake Blog)
47. Coconut Cake: Coconut, much like carrot, tastes AMAZING when shredded. This is just one of the reasons coconut cake is a springtime staple. Whip up this pretty and delicious cake using cake mix, sour cream, eggs, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and, of course, coconut flakes. (via Homemade Interest)
48. Soft Peanut Butter Cookies: What do you get when you cross a Lofthouse sugar cookie with homemade peanut butter cookies? These. Change up the M&M colors to whatever palette you’d like, but we think this one is perfect for spring. (via Inspired by Charm)
49. Creme Egg Peanut Butter and Nutella Cake: Who said hazelnuts were exclusive to winter? This super-pretty cake offers a springtime version of the classic Nutella and peanut butter combo. (via Recipes from a Pantry)
50. Layered Peeps Crispy Rice Cereal Treats: Use different colored Peeps to give this layered cereal treat its multicolored pastel hues. It’s the ultimate Easter hack you need in your life. (via Yellow Bliss Road)
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