52 Stunning Easter Breads
It just isn't an Easter feast without fresh-made bread on the table. We've got a whole day's worth of ideas, from fruit-filled muffins and coffee cakes for brunch to lovely braids and butterhorns for dinner.
Easter Egg Bread
I've made this Easter treat for 20 years! Colored hard-cooked eggs baked in the dough give this sweet bread such a festive look. Leave them out and it can be enjoyed anytime of year. My husband especially enjoys this bread with baked ham. —Heather Durante, Wellsburg, West Virginia
Easter Bunny Bread
With its toothy grin, lovely golden crust and tummy that's perfect for serving dip, this charming rabbit is sure to bring a smile to guests young and old. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread
While cinnamon swirl bread is a natural for breakfast, we love it so much we enjoy it all day long. This is a nice twist on traditional cinnamon swirl yeast breads. —Helen Richardson, Shelbyville, Michigan
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
Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Holiday breakfasts would not be the same at our house without this delicious coffee cake. Whenever I take it anywhere, everyone raves about it and wants the recipe. —Susan Walschlager, Anderson, Indiana
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
Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
People go wild over this golden, garlicky loaf whenever I serve it. There’s intense flavor in every bite. —Carol Shields, Summerville, Pennsylvania
Can't-Eat-Just-One Cinnamon Rolls
My cinnamon rolls have been known to vanish quickly. Once I dropped off a dozen rolls for my brothers, and they emptied the pan in 10 minutes. —Regina Farmwald, West Farmington, Ohio
Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake
Although my coffee cake makes a large pan, it never lasts very long! It's great for a Sunday brunch after church and nice to bring to family reunions, too. —Dorothy Morehouse, Massena, New York
Buttery Bubble Bread
Homemade bread can be time-consuming, difficult and tricky to make. But this fun-to-eat monkey bread, baked in a fluted tube pan, is easy and almost foolproof. If I'm serving it for breakfast, I add some cinnamon and drizzle it with icing. —Pat Stevens, Granbury, Texas
Blueberry Kuchen
In the summer, we can get beautiful, plump blueberries, which I use in this easy-to-make coffee cake. I like to freeze extra blueberries so I have them available anytime I want this treat. —Anne Krueger, Richmond, British Columbia
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 Repak, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Lemon Meringue Muffins
These muffins taste like a favorite pie of mine. The meringue adds a unique flavor.—Nancy Kearney, Massillon, Ohio
Easter Bunny Rolls
If you're planning an Easter feast, why not hop to it and roll out a bevy of bunnies? They'll multiply quicker than you think…and your hearty eaters will "cotton" to them! —Bonnie Myers, Callaway, Nebraska
Strawberries 'n' Cream Bread
Once strawberry-picking time arrives here each summer, my husband and I look forward to this bread. Since only fresh strawberries will do, I have been thinking of trying a different kind of berry...so we can enjoy it more often. Baking is great fun for me. I have to admit, though, sweets are my weakness. On occasion, a bag of chocolate chips never makes it to the batter! —Suzanne Randall, Dexter, Maine
Raspberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Coffee and cake are like a wink and a smile—you'll take one without the other but given the choice, you want the pair. Raspberries and almonds lift this coffee cake to a tart and nutty place. The recipe doubles easily in a 9x13 pan to accommodate all those wanting a little bit more. —Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri
Lemon-Thyme Tea Bread
I received this recipe as part of a gift, along with a lemon thyme plant and a fresh loaf of this pound cake-like bread. Everyone who tries it asks for the recipe. —Jeannette Mango, Parkesburg, Pennsylvania
Parmesan Sweet Cream Biscuits
Sweet cream biscuits were the first kind I mastered. Since the ingredients are so simple, I can scale the recipe up or down. In fact, I've actually memorized it! —Helen Nelander, Boulder Creek, California
Cinnamon Roll Bunnies
A tube of cinnamon roll dough and a little imagination make these adorable bunnies almost too cute to eat! They’re sure to appeal to “somebunny” at your house this Easter. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sesame Wheat Braids
When I started making this bread, my husband and our six children liked it so much I was baking every day. I was thrilled when the judges at our county fair gave these braids a blue ribbon and best of show award! —Nancy Montgomery, Hartville, Ohio
Lemon Blueberry Biscuits
Lemon and blueberries make such a fresh and flavorful combination in all kinds of baked goods, especially these biscuits. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Rhubarb and Strawberry Coffee Cake
Vanilla cake with cream cheese filling and strawberry rhubarb sauce makes a grand finale for a Mother’s Day brunch. That’s how we honor moms and their moms. —Danielle Ulam, Hookstown, Pennsylvania
Orange Cheesecake Breakfast Rolls
These yummy rolls are a nice change of pace from the typical brown sugar and cinnamon kind. They make a nice treat for breakfast or brunch. —Hannah Cobb, Owings Mills, Maryland
Easy Potato Rolls
After I discovered this recipe, it became a mainstay for me. I make the dough ahead of time when company is coming, and I try to keep some in the refrigerator to bake for our ranch hands. Leftover mashed potatoes are almost sure to go into these rolls. —Jeanette McKinney, Belleview, Missouri
Caramel-Pecan Sticky Buns
My mother used to make delicious cinnamon rolls when I was a child. Later, she taught my sister and me to make them. I've since added the caramel and pecans. These scrumptious sticky buns are a huge hit wherever I take them. —Judy Powell, Star, Idaho
Strawberries 'n' Cream Scones
If you are like me, you won't be able to eat just one of these warm scones rich with cream and packed with berry goodness.—Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Caramel-Pecan Monkey Bread
The kids will get a kick out of pulling off gooey pieces of this delectable monkey bread. It's hard to resist the caramel-coated treat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Flaky Cheddar-Chive Biscuits
These wonderful, buttery biscuits complement any dinner. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Maple Butter Twists
My stepmother passed on the recipe for this delicious yeast coffee cake that's shaped into pretty rings. When I make it for friends, they always ask for seconds. —June Gilliland, Hope, Indiana
Homemade Egg Bread
People rave about this tender, delicate bread every time I serve it. The braided look is just beautiful and is actually quite easy to do. —June Mullins, Livonia, Missouri
Cherry-Almond Coffee Cake
Every Christmas morning, I bake a coffee cake that's rich and creamy like a cheesecake. My family loves cherries on top, but make it yours with any kind of fruit preserves. —Sue Torn, Germantown, WI
Honey-Oat Pan Rolls
These tender rolls are relatively quick to make. Whole wheat flour and oats make them nutritious, too.—Arlene Butler, Ogden, Utah
Ginger & Lemon Muffins
A microplane grater (also used for citrus zest and hard cheese) works well for grating ginger. Fresh ginger can be frozen up to 6 months; just break off what you need for a recipe.—Linda Green, Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii
Cinnamon Coffee Cake
I love the excellent texture of this easy coffee cake recipe. Always a crowd-pleaser, its pleasing vanilla flavor enriched by sour cream may remind you of breakfast at Grandma's! —Eleanor Harris, Cape Coral, Florida
Sausage Cheese Biscuits
These breakfast-in-a-biscuit goodies will appeal to the young...and the young at heart. It's one of my favorite recipes because it doesn't require any special ingredients. —Marlene Neideigh, Myrtle Point, Oregon
Cardamom Twist
This golden bread has a soft, tender texture and the perfect amount of cardamom flavor in every bite. Slices are especially good with a cream cheese spread or fresh honey butter. —Carla Miller, Pasco, Washington
Sour Cream Fan Rolls
I received this recipe from an email pen pal in Canada. The dough is so easy to work with, and it makes the lightest yeast rolls. I haven't used another white bread recipe since I started making this one. -Carrie Ormsby, West Jordan, Utah
Upside-Down Banana Monkey Bread
Everyone digs in to monkey bread thanks to its pull-apart shape. We add banana slices and pecans to top this already scrumptious showpiece for a brunch or family gathering. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
Cinnamon Twists
These delightful golden twists are perfect for a spring brunch or lunch. The brown sugar and cinnamon give them a delicate spicy flavor. It's a good thing the recipe makes a big batch, because people can rarely eat just one. —Janet Mooberry, Peoria, Illinois
Make-Ahead Butterhorns
Mom loved to make these lightly sweet, golden rolls. They're beautiful and impressive and have a homemade taste that makes them memorable. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
Delicious Almond Braids
Similar to an almond crescent, this coffee cake is light and flaky, with a rich almond center. It’s so versatile you can serve it for dessert, breakfast or brunch. It will taste as if it was made from scratch at a bakery, yet the packaged puff pastry makes the recipe quick and easy. —Gina Idone, Staten Island, New York
Island Breezes Coffee Cake
With the island flavors, this simple pull-apart bread is perfect for a spring brunch. —Debra Goforth, Newport, Tennessee
Granola Blueberry Muffins
I wanted to put a new spin on muffins, so I mixed in some granola that contained lots of nuts, pumpkin seeds and shredded coconut. Then I brought a batch to work the next morning—success!—Megan Weiss, Menomonie, Wisconsin
Grandma Nardi's Italian Easter Bread
My Grandma Nardi’s bread with dyed Easter eggs represents family and tradition. I fondly remember how she taught me the recipe when I was a little girl. —Pat Merkovich, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Buttermilk Angel Biscuits
When I make these slightly sweet biscuits, sometimes I cut them and fold over one side about a third of the way for a more traditional look. —Carol Holladay, Danville, Alabama
Flower Petal Sweet Rolls
I adapted this recipe from the back of a frozen dinner roll package. You can prepare the rolls the night before for convenience. Then, bake them in the morning to make a lasting impression on guests as they step into the kitchen and smell the sweet aroma. —Celinda Skogsberg, Tuxedo Park, New York
Pina Colada Biscuits
This recipe is quick to make and tastes great. You'll think you're on a tropical vacation! —Carolyn Piette, Johnston, Rhode Island
Green Onion Rolls
Better double the batch! These savory, elegant rolls will disappear fast. —Jane Kroeger, Key Largo, Florida
Rhubarb Scones
My grandfather grows rhubarb and gives us a generous supply. The tartness is similar to a cranberry—perfect for tossing into a scone. —Danielle Ulam, Hookstown, Pennsylvania
Coconut Carrot Muffins
If you like carrot cake, you'll probably like these muffins, too. They make a neat treat for an Easter get-together! I use canned carrots to save some extra time in the kitchen. —Brittany Carrington, Tehachapi, California
Scottish Oatmeal Rolls
My family likes rolls that can hold up to scooping gravies, sauces and more. This recipe is a favorite. The oatmeal in the dough gives it a Scottish touch. —Peggy Goodrich, Enid, Oklahoma
Ham & Green Onion Biscuits
I started with my grandmother’s biscuits and added a bit of my personality. When I make them with my kids, it feels like she’s with us. —Amy Chase, Vanderhoof, British Columbia