Easter isn’t just about hunting for eggs or hiding chocolate from your kids (or, let’s be honest, yourself 😏). It’s also a golden excuse to whip up some seriously delightful desserts. I mean, who doesn’t love an excuse to go all out with pastel colors, sweet treats, and a little sugar rush, right? Over the years, I’ve tried everything from classic carrot cake to quirky bunny-shaped goodies, and today I’m sharing my 17 favorite Easter dessert recipes that are not just tasty but also fun to make.
Whether you’re baking for your family, impressing friends, or just need an excuse to sneak a sweet snack, these desserts will do the trick. Grab your aprons, because it’s about to get delicious.
1. Classic Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Carrot cake is basically Easter royalty. Moist, spiced, and topped with that luscious cream cheese frosting, it’s hard to resist.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk sugar, eggs, and oil until smooth.
- Fold in dry ingredients, then carrots and walnuts.
- Bake for 40–45 mins. Let cool.
- Frost with cream cheese frosting and sprinkle extra walnuts on top.
Tip: A little cream cheese frosting on the side never hurt anyone 😉.
2. Chocolate Easter Egg Nests
These are as fun as they sound. Crispy, chocolatey, and perfect for hiding mini eggs.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cornflakes
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- Mini chocolate eggs for topping
Instructions:
- Melt chocolate and peanut butter together.
- Mix in cornflakes until coated.
- Spoon into cupcake liners and shape into nests.
- Top with mini eggs. Let set in fridge.
Pro tip: Kids will fight over these… just saying.
3. Lemon Drizzle Cake
Nothing says spring like a zesty lemon cake. It’s light, tangy, and perfect after a heavy Easter lunch.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time.
- Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and lemon zest.
- Bake for 30–35 mins.
- Drizzle lemon juice and sugar on top while warm.
4. Bunny-Shaped Sugar Cookies
Easter just isn’t complete without bunny cookies. Plus, decorating them is oddly satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- Cream butter and sugar, add egg and vanilla. Combine with dry ingredients.
- Roll out dough, cut into bunny shapes, bake for 8–10 mins.
- Decorate with icing or sprinkles.
Fun tip: Let your kids go wild with decorating—messy hands = happy hearts.
5. Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Swirl
Mini cakes, maximum flavor. Perfect for serving a crowd or sneaking one when no one’s looking.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup grated carrots
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix dry ingredients. Whisk sugar, eggs, and oil. Combine and fold in carrots and nuts.
- Fill cupcake liners ¾ full. Bake for 20 mins.
- Swirl cream cheese frosting on top.
6. Chocolate Bunny Bark
Super easy, super chocolaty, and you don’t even need to turn on the oven.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- Mini chocolate eggs or pastel candies
Instructions:
- Melt milk chocolate and spread on parchment paper.
- Melt white chocolate, drizzle over milk chocolate.
- Sprinkle candies on top. Chill until firm.
IMO, this is the ultimate lazy-person dessert that still impresses everyone.
7. Peeps S’mores
Yes, marshmallow Peeps. Yes, chocolate. Yes, graham crackers. Pure Easter bliss.
Ingredients:
- Graham crackers
- Chocolate squares
- Peeps marshmallow chicks or bunnies
Instructions:
- Sandwich a Peep between two graham crackers with chocolate.
- Microwave for 10–15 seconds or toast for a gooey version.
- Enjoy immediately.
Honestly, who thought Peeps could taste this good?
8. Coconut Macaroon Nests
Coconut + chocolate + mini eggs = instant happiness.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded coconut
- 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Mini chocolate eggs
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Mix coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla.
- Shape into small nests on a baking sheet. Bake 15–20 mins.
- Place mini eggs in the center once cooled.
9. Strawberry Shortcake Cups
Light, fruity, and ideal if you’re skipping heavy desserts.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup sugar
- 1/3 cup butter
- ½ cup milk
- 1 pint strawberries, sliced
- Whipped cream
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and butter. Add milk. Bake cupcakes 15–20 mins.
- Top with strawberries and whipped cream.
10. Mini Cheesecake Eggs
Individual cheesecakes that look like Easter eggs? Yes, please.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- 16 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Mix crust ingredients, press into muffin tins.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Pour over crust. Bake 20–25 mins. Chill.
11. Hot Cross Bun Pudding
Repurpose leftover buns into a decadent dessert.
Ingredients:
- 6 hot cross buns, chopped
- 2 cups milk
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Whisk milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg.
- Pour over buns in baking dish. Bake 30 mins.
12. Lemon Meringue Tartlets
Tangy, sweet, and sophisticated enough to make you look like a pro.
Ingredients:
- 1 pre-made tart shell
- 1 cup lemon curd
- 3 egg whites
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions:
- Fill tart shells with lemon curd.
- Whip egg whites with sugar to stiff peaks, pipe on top.
- Bake 5–7 mins until golden.
13. Chocolate-Covered Carrots (Candy Version)
A sneaky twist on candy carrots—perfect for Easter baskets.
Ingredients:
- Carrot-shaped candy or candy melts
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Melt chocolate, dip candy carrots, and let set.
- Optional: Sprinkle colored sugar for flair.
14. Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta
Smooth, creamy, and impressively fancy with minimal effort.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 packet gelatin
Instructions:
- Heat cream and sugar until warm.
- Dissolve gelatin, add vanilla. Pour into molds. Chill 4 hrs.
15. Easter Bark with Sprinkles
A classic, colorful, and ridiculously easy dessert for last-minute hosts.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups white chocolate
- Pastel sprinkles
- Mini chocolate eggs
Instructions:
- Melt chocolate, spread on parchment.
- Sprinkle toppings, chill until firm. Break into pieces.
16. Banana Bunny Pops
Healthy(ish) fun for kids, and Instagram-worthy too.
Ingredients:
- Bananas, sliced in half
- Chocolate chips
- Mini marshmallows
- Lollipop sticks
Instructions:
- Insert sticks into bananas. Freeze 1 hr.
- Dip in melted chocolate, decorate with marshmallows for ears.
17. Raspberry Almond Tart
Finally, something fruity and nutty to balance all that chocolate.
Ingredients:
- 1 pre-made tart shell
- 1 cup almond cream
- 1 cup raspberries
- 2 tbsp sliced almonds
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Fill tart shell with almond cream. Top with raspberries and almonds. Bake 25–30 mins.
- Cool and serve.
Wrapping It Up
There you have it—17 Easter dessert recipes to make your holiday delicious, colorful, and memorable. Whether you’re a chocolate fanatic, a fruit lover, or just in it for the frosting, there’s something here for everyone. I’ve tested all of these personally (don’t judge me for taste-testing more than once 😅), and trust me, they’ll steal the show at any Easter table.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your apron, pick a recipe—or five—and make this Easter the sweetest one yet. And remember: calories don’t count on holidays, right? 😉