20 Easter Baking Recipes To Make This Holiday Season
Easter brings wonderful opportunities to create special baked treats that celebrate the season. These festive recipes range from traditional breads to playful bunny-shaped delights.
Each recipe offers its own charm, whether you want impressive centerpieces or simple treats the whole family can enjoy making together.
01. Bunny-Shaped Pretzel Treats
This version uses homemade pretzel dough twisted into adorable bunny shapes. The dough gets brushed with melted butter for extra flavor.
A coating of cinnamon sugar adds sweetness and sparkle. You can also try different toppings like sesame seeds or coarse salt.
Perfect for kids who love hands-on baking projects. These treats stay fresh for several days in an airtight container.
02. Blossom Pull-Apart Easter Bread
This method uses rich eggy dough twisted into flower-like shapes. Each blossom gets filled with your choice of jam or preserves.
Lemon curd creates an especially bright filling that tastes perfect for spring. The twisted shape holds the filling beautifully during baking.
This approach takes some time but creates stunning results. Great for Easter brunch when you want something truly special.
03. Hollow Resurrection Rolls
These crescent rolls become hollow during baking, creating a meaningful Easter symbol. The dough puffs up around a marshmallow that melts away.
The marshmallow disappears completely, leaving an empty space inside. Kids love discovering the hollow center when they bite in.
This version works great as a family activity before Easter dinner. Takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.
04. Traditional Buttermilk Hot Cross Buns
This classic recipe uses buttermilk for extra tenderness and dried currants for sweetness. The dough gets spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Making slits in a cross shape before baking creates natural ridges. A simple icing cross gets piped on top after cooling.
Perfect for Good Friday or Easter morning breakfast. These buns taste best when served slightly warm from the oven.
05. Shaped Easter Lamb Cake
This traditional cake uses a special lamb-shaped pan to create an impressive Easter centerpiece. The batter holds its shape perfectly during baking.
Coconut flakes make realistic-looking wool when pressed into buttercream frosting. The whole family can help with the decorating process.
This method requires a lamb cake pan but creates amazing results. Takes about two hours including decorating time.
06. Braided Egg Bread Centerpiece
This impressive bread features a braided dough base with whole eggs nestled into the design. The eggs cook right alongside the bread.
Using dyed eggs adds beautiful color to your Easter table. The braiding technique looks complex but uses simple three-strand braids.
This version takes some practice but creates stunning centerpieces. Perfect for showing off your baking skills at holiday gatherings.
07. Anise-Flavored Italian Easter Cookies
These traditional biscotti use anise extract for authentic Italian flavor. The twice-baked method creates the perfect texture for coffee dunking.
The dough gets shaped into logs, baked, then sliced and baked again. This creates the characteristic crispy texture throughout.
Great for Easter morning coffee or gifting to neighbors. These cookies stay fresh for weeks in airtight containers.
08. Coconut Nest Cupcakes
This approach transforms regular cupcakes into Easter egg nests using toasted coconut flakes. Chocolate candy eggs complete the nest effect.
Toasting the coconut adds extra flavor and creates a golden brown color. The coconut gets pressed into vanilla buttercream frosting.
This method works great for beginners who want impressive results. Takes about an hour including cooling and decorating time.
09. Sweet Greek Easter Bread
This elegant bread uses fresh orange juice in the dough for subtle citrus flavor. A sweet orange glaze gets brushed on top.
The recipe makes two beautiful loaves perfect for sharing. The bread stays moist for days thanks to the orange juice.
Great for gifting to friends and family during Easter week. This version requires some rising time but worth the wait.
10. Adorable Easter Bunny Cupcakes
These cupcakes use mini marshmallows cut in half to create bunny ears. Pink frosting and candy decorations complete the faces.
The marshmallow ears stay soft and add extra sweetness. Simple piping techniques create whiskers and other facial features.
Perfect for Easter parties or school celebrations. Kids love helping with the decorating and eating the results.
11. Bunny-Shaped Dinner Buns
This method shapes soft dinner roll dough into cute bunny forms. Peppercorns create realistic-looking eyes that stay in place.
The shaping technique uses simple cuts and twists to form ears and bodies. Each bunny bakes up golden and adorable.
These buns work great alongside Easter dinner. Takes about three hours including rising time for best results.
12. Traditional Italian Easter Tart
This classic Neapolitan dessert combines cooked wheat berries with creamy ricotta filling. The pastry crust holds everything together beautifully.
Orange zest and vanilla create the signature flavor profile. The wheat berries add interesting texture and traditional authenticity.
This version takes time but creates restaurant-quality results. Perfect for impressing guests with authentic Italian Easter traditions.
13. Citrus Orange Sweet Rolls
These rolls use fresh orange zest in both the dough and glaze. The citrus flavor feels perfect for spring celebrations.
The rolling technique creates beautiful spiral layers just like cinnamon rolls. Orange glaze gets drizzled on while still warm.
Great alternative to traditional cinnamon rolls for Easter morning. Takes about four hours including all rising times.
14. Playful Bunny Bottom Cake
This humorous cake uses a bundt pan to create the bunny’s body. Simple decorating techniques add feet and a cotton tail.
The bundt shape naturally creates the perfect rounded form. Powdered sugar dusting makes realistic-looking fur texture.
Perfect for families who enjoy silly Easter traditions. Even beginning bakers can create impressive results with this method.
15. Easter Bunny Bread Basket
This technique creates individual bunny-shaped rolls arranged in a basket formation. Each roll gets shaped with ears and faces.
The basket arrangement makes a stunning centerpiece for Easter brunch. Simple egg wash creates beautiful golden color.
This method takes practice but creates amazing presentations. Great for special occasions when you want something truly memorable.
16. Simple Round Bunny Cake
This approach uses two round cake layers to create a bunny face. One layer becomes the head while pieces create ears.
The cutting technique is surprisingly simple but creates professional-looking results. Coconut flakes make perfect bunny fur texture.
Perfect for beginners who want impressive Easter desserts. Takes about two hours including baking and decorating time.
17. Candy-Filled Basket Cake
This festive cake gets shaped and decorated to look like an Easter basket. The center holds your favorite Easter candies.
Chocolate frosting piped in basket-weave pattern creates realistic texture. A chocolate handle completes the basket illusion.
Great for Easter parties where you want one show-stopping dessert. Takes some decorating skill but worth the extra effort.
18. Pastel Easter Candy Cookies
These cookies feature pastel-colored candy pieces pressed into soft sugar cookie dough. The colors create instant Easter appeal.
Using seasonal candy makes these cookies feel special and festive. The candies stay colorful and don’t fade during baking.
This method works great for last-minute Easter treats. You can adapt the recipe for other holidays with different candies.
19. Armenian Easter Sweet Bread
This traditional bread uses aromatic spices and a rich egg dough. The braided shape creates an elegant presentation for Easter tables.
Mahlab spice gives this bread its distinctive flavor that’s different from other Easter breads. The texture stays soft for days.
Perfect for trying something new this Easter season. This version requires some specialty ingredients but creates authentic results.
20. Anisette-Scented Family Easter Bread
This Italian-American tradition uses anisette liqueur for distinctive flavor and aroma. The sweet bread gets topped with colorful sprinkles.
Pink icing creates the classic Easter bread appearance. The anisette scent fills your kitchen with wonderful holiday aromas.
Great for families wanting to start new Easter traditions. This recipe creates memories that last long after the bread disappears.
Final Thoughts
These Easter baking recipes offer something special for every skill level and family tradition. From simple cookies to elaborate centerpiece cakes, each recipe brings joy to your holiday celebration.
Choose recipes that match your time and abilities, then enjoy creating delicious memories with your loved ones this Easter season.