An Easter Tree Is the Spring Decoration We All Need to See Right Now

At times like this, we could all use some Christmas cheer. Sure, the closest holiday is Easter, but does it matter? There’s never a wrong time to be in the giving, joyful spirit.

So perhaps it makes sense that one of Christmas’s most iconic decorations—the tree—isn’t just a December 25 thing anymore. We love the Easter trees that people are posting on Instagram right now!

What’s an Easter Tree?

OK, so Easter trees and Christmas trees are pretty different (but if you want to decorate a Christmas tree with Easter eggs, no one’s going to stop you). Christmas trees are usually upwards of 6 ft. tall, but Easter trees are way smaller—they’re a few branches in a vase—decorated with Easter eggs, ribbons and flowers. They’re cheerful, pastel and super cute.

Turns out, these adorable, pint-sized trees have been a thing for centuries in Germany (where they’re called Ostereierbaum) and Sweden. Today, they’re brightening up kitchen and side tables in homes around the world, and they’re so utterly perfect, we might just have to have more than one.

Looking for ways to decorate this Easter? Check out these ideas that’ll put a spring in your step.

How to Make an Easter Tree

One of the best things about the Easter tree is that it’s equally as easy to set up as it is adorable. The German tradition uses pussy willow branches, but you can probably go grab a few sticks from your backyard trees and plunk them in a vase—just make sure each one has enough “branches” to decorate.

From there, what you do is entirely up to you. Try hanging hand-painted Easter eggs for a personal touch (we love these decorating ideas!), or make your own reusable egg ornaments with no-fuss materials from a craft store. If you’re not feeling that creative, there are plenty of places to buy an Easter tree. No matter how you celebrate the springtime season, these adorable trees are bound to put a smile on your face.

Treats to Put Under the Easter Tree

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Taste Of Home

Marshmallow Easter EggsI've been making these wonderful marshmallow Easter eggs for years. These candies are a big hit with marshmallow lovers. —Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania

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Taste Of Home

Easter Sugar CookiesCream cheese contributes to the rich taste of these melt-in-your-mouth Easter sugar 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

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Love Easter cookies? These Easter cookie delivery services will satisfy all your cravings.

Rhubarb Tart with Shortbread CrustHere's a perfect Easter treat! Between the creamy texture, the pretty color and the buttery crust, this recipe is simply delightful. —Emily Seefeldt, Red Wing, Minnesota

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Bunny TailsMy granddaughters and I came up with this clever and easy idea for Easter. —Kelly Ciepluch, Kenosha, Wisconsin

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Explore these easy Easter desserts for more ideas.

Taste of Home

Bird's Nest TreatsI 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

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Hippity Hop Bunny CakeWhen it comes to Easter treats, this festive cake will have your guests 'hopping' with happiness! Make the cake ahead and add the decorations close to its debut at your party or special occasion. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Sour Cream Sugar Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Sour Cream Sugar CookiesI make these cookies for my family and our neighbors every spring. These Easter treats treats stay soft for at least a week, and they look so pretty frosted bright pink and then piped with lacy frosting. —Carolyn Walton, Smoot, Wyoming

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Lime Divine TartsSpring is prime time for citrus, so why not showcase them at your holiday party? These cute Easter treats are impressive but easy to make. —Ann Yri, Lewisville, Texas

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Easter Bunny TreatsOur whole family has fun making these bunny-riffic Easter treats together. They are just so cute! —Holly Jost, Manitowoc, Wisconsin

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Layered Sherbet DessertMacaroons 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

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Easter Lamb CakeMy grandmother started the tradition of making this traditional Easter dessert when I was little. We continue to make it every Easter. 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

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Easter Egg CookiesMy mother started baking these Easter treats 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 (For another cute and sweet Easter treat, try these homemade Easter cake pops.)

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Taste of Home

Peeps Sunflower CakeThe inspiration for this cake came from one of my favorite flowers, the sunflower. The yellow peeps make eye-catching flower petals, and I carefully placed chocolate chips in a circular pattern to resemble the seeds in the middle of a sunflower. One of our favorite Easter recipes, this cake is easy, but looks quite impressive. —Bethany Eledge, Cleveland, Tennessee

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Easter Meringue CupsThese crunchy meringue shells with a lemon curd filling will make guests stop to "ooh" and "ahh" at your dessert table. Topped with fresh fruit, these Easter treats are especially pretty when served with a spring meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Cupcake Easter BasketsAt our house, the ultimate Easter treat are these Easter 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 springtime treats. —Julie Johnston, Shaunavon, Saskatchewan

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Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Heavenly Filled StrawberriesThese luscious stuffed berries are the perfect bite-sized Easter treats. —Stephen Munro, Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia

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Taste of Home

Peter Rabbit CakeWhen it comes to Easter cakes, you can't beat a bunny cake! Baked and decorated ahead of time, the coconut-topped cake makes an eye-catching fitting finale to any Easter feast. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Taste of Home

Easter Nest TorteIn this delectable 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, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Strawberry Cookie CupsI learned to bake beside my mom and grandmother. When I was on break from college, I knew just how to entertain myself: I made cookies. Sharing this recipe with my mom and grandmother was a proud moment.—Andrea Zulauf, Livonia, New York

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Mini Blueberry Bundt CakesThese pretty little blueberry cakes are topped with a yummy lemon-flavored glaze. The recipe makes 12 tiny cakes, so one batch gives you plenty of Easter treats to share. —Cathy Isaak, Rivers, Manitoba

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TMB Studio

Coconut Egg NestsLooking for Easter treats that kids will enjoy assembling and eating? Try these sweet birds nest cookies. They're a snap to make and call for just a few ingredients. —Tonya Hamrick, Wallace, West Virginia

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Sunny Citrus Cheesecake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Sunny Citrus CheesecakeThis 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

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Taste of Home

Rainbow StrawberriesDip fresh strawberries in melted candy-coated discs for easy Easter treats. Or get adventurous and make a unicorn. The creative possibilities are endless. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Carrot CupcakesTo try to get my family to eat more vegetables, I often "hide" nutritional foods inside sweet treats. The carrots add wonderful moistness to these cupcakes, which have a rich cream cheese frosting. Now we can have our cake and eat our vegetables, too! —Doreen Kelly, Rosyln, Pennsylvania

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Cheesecake PopsThis is a very quick, easy and fun dessert for any occasion. Roll them in pastel sprinkles for the perfect Easter treat! —Evelyn Moore, Elk Grove, California

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Taste of Home

Marbled Orange FudgeThis decadent treat doesn't last long at our house. The Creamsicle flavor of this soft fudge brings on the smiles. Bright orange and marshmallow swirls make it a perfect takealong for events and get-togethers. —Diane Wampler, Morristown, Tennessee

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Taste of Home

Lemon Butter CookiesThese tender cutout cookies have a slight lemon flavor that makes them stand out from the rest. They're very easy to roll out compared to other sugar cookies I've worked with. I know you'll enjoy these Easter treats as much as we do. —Judy McCreight, Springfield, Illinois

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White Chocolate Easter Egg CandiesCandy making can be easy! Have kids help roll the candies in sprinkles, colored sugar or jimmies. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Not sure how to dye easter eggs? We’ll take you through it, step by step.

Lemon Layer CakeThis 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

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Marzipan Cups with Currant JellyThese bite-size Easter treats look and taste gourmet, but they're easy to make and boast a delicate almond flavor. The hidden jelly surprise and pretty nut accent make them a nice addition to any treats tray. You can make them in advance and freeze them for up to three months, if you like. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

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Homemade Chocolate Easter EggsI roll out these chocolate Easter treats when the weather gets warm. The recipe is over 35 years old; my high school economics teacher had us make it as a class project. Sometimes I substitute butterscotch or vanilla pudding for the chocolate. —Julie Warren, Conyers, Georgia

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Peeps HouseCreate a sweet house for your favorite Easter treats. Use pastel candies to decorate the roof and nest. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Jelly Bean CookiesIt's a family tradition for my grandmother and me to make these colorful Easter treats every year. —Cheyenne Fink, Pleasantville, Pennsylvania

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Orange Sugar CookiesI make these citrusy cookies for parties and special occasions, and we always get to eat the ones that don't come out perfectly. Eventually I had to start making extra "mistakes" to keep my family happy! —Myrrh Wertz, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Meringue BunniesThese cute meringues are a great addition to your table when entertaining at Easter. Enlist the kids to help shape the bunny Easter treats. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Taste of Home

Raspberry Coconut BallsMy family loves Hostess Zingers, especially the raspberry flavor coated with coconut, inspiring these Easter treats. We can make about four dozen in 30 minutes, and they go fast! —Pam Clark, Wheaton, Illinois

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Lemon-Butter Spritz Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Lemon-Butter Spritz CookiesThis recipe makes a lot of terrific cookies! It's great for Christmas when all the kids and grandkids visit. They can help decorate the cookies-not to mention help eat them! —Paula Pelis, Rocky Point, New York

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Cake TrufflesThese tasty truffles are requested every year for parties and potlucks. They're the perfect size to enjoy a few and still have room for other treats. The cake balls take a little time but can be prepped in steps and are easy to make ahead. For variation, swap in strawberry cake and cream cheese frosting and then coat in dark chocolate. Or try chocolate cake with chocolate frosting dipped in white candy coating, or German chocolate cake with coconut caramel frosting coated in milk chocolate. —Krista Anderson, Macomb, Michigan

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Country Woman

Peanut Butter Easter EggsGet the kids involved in making these chocolate and peanut buttery Easter treats, well worth the sticky fingers! —Mary Joyce Johnson, Upper Darby, Pennsylvania

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Strawberry Lemon CupcakesMy granddaughter Sydney has acquired a love of baking. While I was visiting her in Tampa, we made these light, fluffy cupcakes. She's a natural—they turned out fantastic! —Lonnie Hartstack, Clarinda, Iowa

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Bird NestsThis is a fun, kid-friendly recipe I pulled together a few years ago. My kids love helping me make these easy Easter treats. —Jessica Boivin, Nekoosa, Wisconsin

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Taste of Home

Rainbow Gelatin CubesThese layered jello cubes are fun to serve and to eat! I vary the colors to match the occasion. Kids of all ages snatch them up. —Deanna Pietrowicz, Bridgeport, Connecticut

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Lemon Coconut CupcakesLemon plus coconut equals big smiles in this cupcake equation. These zesty Easter treats are a hit with my family, friends and neighbors. —Debra Henderson, Booneville, Arkansas

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White Velvet CutoutsWe make and decorate these cutouts for different holidays and give lots of them as gifts. These rich Easter treats melt in your mouth. —Kim Hinkle, Wauseon, Ohio

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Jelly Bean BarkHomemade Easter candy really doesn't get easier than this. It's so simple—all you need are three ingredients, a microwave and a pan! It makes a perfect gift. —Mavis Dement, Marcus, Iowa

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Rosemary-Lemon Shortbread Sandwich CookiesThese beautiful shortbread sandwich cookies are always a welcome addition to our annual ladies holiday tea luncheon. The distinctive rosemary flavor, paired so well with the tangy lemon curd, has made them a favorite in our group for years! —Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia

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Taste of Home

Creamy Coconut SnowballsMy grandmother made these coconut snowballs for years. They store nicely in the refrigerator so you can keep them on hand for drop-in holiday guests. —Yvonne Schaney, Alliance, Ohio

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Pastel Pretzel WandsThese fun and colorful magic wands don't take a magician to make. You can change the colors for any theme party, too! —Renee Schwebach, Dumont, Minnesota

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Spritz Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Spritz CookiesIt was a tradition to make these cookies with my grandmother every year. Now my two daughters help me make these Easter treats for the holidays.—Sharon Claussen, Wheat Ridge, Colorado

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Vanilla Cream Fruit TartIt's well worth the effort to whip up this creamy fruit tart bursting with juicy berries. A friend gave me the recipe, and it always receives rave reviews at gatherings. —Susan Terzakis, Andover, Massachusetts

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