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60 Gorgeous Easter Cake Ideas

Wrap up your holiday celebration with these impressive Easter cake ideas. From kid-friendly treats and sunny lemon cakes to rich ganache-topped tortes and homemade carrot cakes, we'll help you find the perfect Easter cake idea for your holiday table.

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Vertical Carrot Cake

This vertical spin on a cherished classic carrot cake is packed with spices and sure to impress. The brown butter cream cheese frosting truly takes the vertical cake over the top! And if this looks daunting, don’t fret! You can learn how to make a vertical cake step-by-step. —Mark Neufang, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant

Go to Recipe

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Easter Nest Torte

In 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 recipe. It’s one of our favorite Easter cake ideas. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Bunny Cake Exps Cwam22 267574 Dr 12 17 1b 8

Hippity Hop Bunny Cake

Easter cakes don’t get any cuter! This festive treat will have your guests ‘hopping’ with happiness! Make the cake ahead and add the decorations close to it’s debut at your party or special occasion. Take a peek at these other cute Easter treats, too. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Limoncello Tiramisu Exps Cwam22 50407 B11 18 4b 5

Limoncello Tiramisu

We love everything about this wonderful dessert—from the light lemon flavor and creamy Mascarpone to the crunchy, crushed macaroon on top. We think you’ll enjoy it too. And if you need something a little smaller, try these Easter cupcakes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Whipped Cream Pound Cake Exps Ft21 28121 F 0714 1

Whipped Cream Pound Cake

This Whipping Cream Pound Cake recipe never lasts long at family gatherings. Slices taste terrific whether served alone or when topped with fresh fruit. —Shirley Tincher, Zanesville, Ohio
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Strawberry Poke Cake Exps Gfa22 17672 E06 10 3b

Strawberry Poke Cake

That classic spring treat—strawberry shortcake—takes on a wonderful new twist with this strawberry poke cake recipe. Strawberry gelatin and strawberries liven up each pretty slice of this lovely layered cake that’s made from a convenient boxed cake mix. It’s one of my favorite easy Easter desserts. —Mary Jo Griggs, West Bend, Wisconsin

When making a layered cake, make sure to keep these tips for torting a cake in mind.

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Peter Rabbit Cake

No bunny will be able to resist a slice of this traditional Easter dessert. 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
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Rhubarb Custard Cake Exps Ft20 12577 F 0624 1 2

Rhubarb Custard Cake

Rhubarb thrives in my northern garden and is one of the few crops the pesky moose don’t bother! Of all the desserts I’ve tried, this rhubarb custard cake is my first choice. It has old-fashioned appeal but is so simple to prepare. —Evelyn Gebhardt, Kasilof, Alaska. If you want to try a different custard cake, then check out this lemon custard cake recipe.
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Raspberry Lemon Cake Exps Ft22 31722 F 0303 1

Raspberry Lemon Cake

Want a change from typical Easter cakes? Try this elegant treat packed with refreshing lemon flavor, from the cake to the homemade lemon curd and creamy frosting. It won a blue ribbon at the Alaska State Fair and it’s definitely a winner with me. —Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin
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Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Shortcake Exps Toham20 244332 E11 08 8b 34

Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Shortcake

This scratch-made strawberry buttermilk cake is a family favorite. The recipe is over 100 years old, and I remember my grandma making it. We still carry on the family tradition by making this old-fashioned recipe each summer. —Claudia Lamascolo, Melbourne, Florida
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Hawaiian Sunset Cake Exps Bobbz22 19200 B10 06 4b

Hawaiian Sunset Cake

This three-layer sunset cake is pretty enough for company, but it’s so simple to make that you’ll find yourself baking it often. A boxed mix keeps it convenient while the fruity filling makes it a crowd-pleaser. —Kara De la Vega, Suisun City, California
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Easter Lamb Cake Exps Diyd19 172378 E03 20 1b 27

Easter Lamb Cake

My grandmother started the tradition of making molded Easter cakes 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 well so that the cake does not stick. — Debra Waggoner, Grand Island, Nebraska
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Banana Pudding Cake Exps Ft21 63227 F 0824 1

Banana Pudding Cake

I love to make cakes, and my family loves banana pudding. One day while brainstorming in the kitchen, I came up with this banana pudding cake recipe to combine the two. My family and friends can’t get enough of it! If you are pressed for time, you may substitute whipped topping for the homemade sweetened whipped cream. —Tiffany Barbee, Rocky Mount, North Carolina
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Carrot Sheet Cake Exps Cpl19 8112 C11 06 9b 4

Carrot Sheet Cake

We sold pieces of this to-die-for carrot cake at an art show. Before long, we sold out of all the 10 cakes we had made! —Dottie Cosgrove, South El Monte, California
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Honey Bun Cake Exps Ft21 16270 F 0525 1 15

Honey Bun Cake

I take along recipe cards to hand out when I bring this moist, fluffy cake to school socials. It always goes quickly. —Kathy Mayo, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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Lemon Meringue Angel Cake

I’ve been told that this dessert tastes exactly like a lemon meringue pie and that it’s the best angel food cake anyone could ask for. I’m not sure about all of that, but it is delightful to serve, and each slice is virtually fat free. —Sharon Kurtz, Emmaus, Pennsylvania
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Neapolitan Cake Exps Ft21 22515 F 0521 1

Neapolitan Cake

I received this easy Neapolitan cake recipe from a friend. It’s a pretty cake for birthday parties. I like to add some strawberry extract to the pink portion of the batter. —Marianne Waldman, Brimfield, Illinois
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Lemon Rosemary Layer Cake Exps Thca22 46670 B07 09 5b 10

Lemon-Rosemary Layer Cake

Tall and impressive, this unique lemon-rosemary layer cake is a treat for the senses with flecks of lemon zest and fresh rosemary. Just wait until you taste it! —Mary Fraser, Surprise, Arizona
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Raspberry Cake Exps Jmz18 12130 B03 08 4b 1

Raspberry Cake

Jazz up plain cake with raspberry gelatin and frozen berries. Spread with a light, fruity whipped topping (or this whipped topping substitute), the festive results make a cool and refreshing dessert. —Marion Anderson, Dalton, Minnesota
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Hummingbird Cake Exps Cwam19 32005 C01 03 3b 22

Hummingbird Cake

This impressive hummingbird cake is my dad’s favorite, so I always make it for his birthday. It makes a memorable dessert for any celebration and is lovely with a summer meal. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
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Pineapple Carrot Cake Exps Hca18 12965 C06 08 6b 14

Pineapple Carrot Cake

This moist cake with cream cheese frosting is the best I’ve ever eaten. It’s so simple, too, because it uses two jars of baby food instead of fresh carrots that need to be grated. —Jeanette McKenna, Vero Beach, Florida
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Traditional Sponge Cake Exps Ft21 18657 F 0528 1

Traditional Sponge Cake

This light sponge cake makes a fitting finale to any meal.—Arlene Murphy, Beverly Hills, Florida
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Coastal Coconut Cream Cake Exps Tohon19 198326 E06 13 5b 2

Coastal Coconut Cream Cake

This is my son’s county fair cake. He was awarded a top-10 prize, and he auctioned the coconut cream cake for big bucks! —Amy Freeze, Avon Park, Florida
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Berry Pinwheel Cake Exps Cwam17 25503 B12 13 2b 1

Berry Pinwheel Cake

Perfect for special meals, this lovely chiffon cake is a nice change from strawberry pie or shortcake. Don't be afraid t try this jelly-roll-style dessert...it's easy to make. Plus, the waxed paper-lined pan helps make cleanup a breeze! —Becky Ruff, McGregor, Iowa
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Carrot Cake with Pecan Frosting

My husband constantly requests this homey, old-fashioned version of carrot cake. The frosting is still tasty even without the pecans. —Adrian Badon, Denham Springs, Louisiana
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Raspberry Moscow Mule Cake Exps Toham20 202310 B11 06 2b 2

Raspberry Moscow Mule Cake

For a flavor-packed Easter cake, try this Moscow mule cake recipe. It’s so moist and flavorful, and it reminds me of my favorite cocktail. —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri
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Lemon Chiffon Cake

This moist, airy lemon chiffon cake was my dad’s favorite. Mom revamped the original recipe to include lemons. I’m not much of a baker, but whenever I make this dessert my family is thrilled! (Psst! Find even more traditional Easter desserts.) —Trisha Kammers, Clarkston, Washington
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Marvelous Marble Cake

Pound cake and chocolate make the best marble cake. — Ellen Riley, Birmingham, Alabama
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Plum Upside Down Cake Exps Ugfbmz17 2045 B05 04 2b 8

Plum Upside-Down Cake

Since my husband liked pineapple upside-down cake, I decided to give this recipe a try one night when we were expecting guests for dinner. Everyone pronounced this cake "Delicious!" and asked for seconds.—Bobbie Talbott, Veneta, Oregon
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Easy Pistachio Tube Cake

Mixes make this light cake easy, and a fluted tube pan gets it holiday party-ready. Go for the pistachios on top—the extra crunch is worth it. —Dina Crowell, Fredericksburg, Virginia
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Moist Cream Cheese Pound Cake Exps Bmz21 6136 B10 29 3b 1

Moist Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Warm a slice of this cream cheese pound cake in the microwave for about 25 seconds. Then serve it with a scoop of butter pecan ice cream, fresh fruit or alone. —Betty Smith, Evans, Georgia
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Carrot Layer Cake Exps Ftts20 1728 B03 05 8b 20

Carrot Layer Cake

Looking for classic Easter cake ideas? My sister gave me this recipe for what she calls “the ultimate carrot cake,” and it really lives up to the name. When people taste it, they’re bowled over by the tender, not-too-sweet cake and unexpected pecan filling. —Linda Van Holland, Innisfail, Alberta
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Grandma S Strawberry Shortcake Exps Mcsmz17 4508 D01 05 2b 2

Grandma's Strawberry Shortcake

Here’s a family-sized version of my grandma’s summertime dessert. I can still taste the sweet juicy berries piled over warm biscuits and topped with a huge dollop of fresh whipped cream. My father added even more indulgence to his serving by first buttering his biscuits. —Shirley Joan Helfenbein, Lapeer, Michigan
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Pineapple Pudding Cake Exps Ft20 26937 F 0406 1 Home 17

Pineapple Pudding Cake

My mother used to love making this easy pineapple sunshine cake in the summertime. It’s so cool and refreshing that it never lasts very long! —Kathleen Worden, North Andover, Massachusetts
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Classic Tres Leches Cake Exps Bake22 28462 Md 02 11 2b 9

Classic Tres Leches Cake

Tres leches means "three milks." This cake gets its name because it uses three kinds of milk—evaporated, condensed and cream. This tres leches cake's light and airy texture has made it a classic in Mexican kitchens for generations. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Best Angel Food Cake

For our daughter's wedding, a friend made this lovely, angel food cake from a recipe she's used for decades. It really is one of the best angel food cake recipes I've found. Serve slices plain or dress them up with fresh fruit. —Marilyn Niemeyer, Doon, Iowa
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Lemon Lover S Pound Cake Exps Toham20 20353 B11 07 1b 24

Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake

Everyone raves about this pretty lemon sour cream pound cake—and it sure doesn’t last long with my family. It also freezes beautifully, so why not make two and pop one into the freezer for another day? —Annettia Mounger, Kansas City, Missouri
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Sandy's Chocolate Cake

Years ago, I drove 4-1/2 hours to a cake contest, holding my entry on my lap the whole way. But it paid off. One bite and you'll see why this velvety beauty was named the best chocolate cake recipe and won first prize. —Sandra Johnson, Tioga, Pennsylvania
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Blue Ribbon Butter Cake Exps Ghbz18 37065 B08 15 1b 33

Kentucky Butter Cake

I found this Kentucky butter cake recipe in an old cookbook I bought at a garage sale and couldn’t wait to try it. I knew it had been someone’s favorite because of the well-worn page. —Joan Gertz, Palmetto, Florida
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Pina Colada Tube Cake

We named this a “pina colada” cake because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
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Brown Sugar Pound Cake

This tender pound cake is the first one I mastered. You'll want to eat the browned butter icing by the spoonful. It tastes like pralines. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida
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Chocolate Angel Cake

When I was married in 1944, I could barely boil water. My dear mother-in-law taught me her specialty—making the lightest angel food cakes ever. This chocolate version is an easy, impressive treat. —Joyce Shiffler, Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Strawberry Jam Cake Exps Tohfm22 92780 B09 16 4b

Strawberry Jam Cake

Every year I make this special strawberry jam cake for the Relay for Life cake raffle. It has raised lots of money for a good cause. —Tammy Urbina, Warner Robins, Georgia
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Moist Lemon Angel Cake Roll Exps Hrbz16 39665 C09 07 3b 7

Moist Lemon Angel Cake Roll

Tart and delicious, this pretty cake roll will tickle any lemon lover's fancy. Its feathery, angel food texture enhances its guilt-free goodness. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Banana Skillet Upside-Down Cake

My grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I've been cooking and baking with it ever since. Sometimes I add drained maraschino cherries to this banana skillet dessert and serve it with a ice cream. —Terri Merritts, Nashville, Tennessee
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Peeps Sunflower Cake Exps Wrsm17 39605 C03 22 5b 14

Peeps Sunflower Cake

Looking for Easter cake ideas? It doesn’t get more festive than this! 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. This cake is easy, but looks quite impressive. —Bethany Eledge, Cleveland, Tennessee
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Orange Dream Angel Food Cake Exps45551 Hcka143243d08 28 1bc Rms 10

Orange Dream Angel Food Cake

A basic angel food cake becomes a heavenly indulgence, thanks to a hint of orange flavor swirled into every bite. The orange color makes slices of the cake look so pretty when arranged on individual dessert plates. Serve this Easter cake idea with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Lauren Osborne, Holtwood, Pennsylvania

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Pink Lemonade Stand Cake

If you love a moist and creamy cake, this one’s for you. The lemon juice and lemonade give the layers a tangy, citrusy touch, and the cream cheese frosting with sprinkles makes it extra pretty. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake Exps Toham23 48510 Dr 11 16 1b

Classic Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

This pineapple upside-down cake is a classic recipe that never goes out of style! It’s delicious with the traditional pineapple, but try it with peaches or a combination of cranberries and orange. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas
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7UP Pound Cake

My grandmother gave me this 7UP pound cake recipe. On top of being delicious, this 7UP cake represents family tradition, connection and love. —Marsha Davis, Desert Hot Springs, California
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Mini Blueberry Bundt Cakes Exps Toham23 23812 P2 Md 11 02 7b

Mini Blueberry Bundt Cakes

These pretty berry cakes from Cathy Isaak of Rivers, Manitoba are topped with a yummy lemon-flavored glaze.
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Strawberry Mascarpone Cake Exps Ffdrdtb21 78863 E04 08 3b

Strawberry Mascarpone Cake

Don’t let the number of steps in this recipe fool you —it’s easy to assemble. The cake bakes up high and fluffy, and the berries add a fresh fruity flavor. Cream cheese is a good substitute if you don’t have mascarpone cheese handy. —Carol Witczak, Tinley Park, Illinois
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Moist Lemon Chiffon Cake Exps Tohfec22 12238 Gns 03 23 1b 4

Glazed Lemon Chiffon Cake

This fluffy cake is a real treat drizzled with the sweet-tart lemon glaze. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Raspberry Chocolate Cake Exps Diyd21 37105 E04 29 8b

Chocolate Raspberry Cake

Whenever I make this chocolate raspberry cake, I get rave reviews. It’s impressive, and the raspberry filling is wonderful. —Marlene Sanders, Paradise, Texas
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Lemon Ricotta Cake Exps Ghbz18 41570 B08 15 4b 5

Lemon Ricotta Cake

This lemon ricotta cake recipe is a family gem that was passed down from my grandmother and mother. Garnished with shaved lemon zest, the moist four-layer cake is a terrific Easter cake idea. —Nanette Slaughter, Sammamish, Washington
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Raspberry-Almond Jelly Roll

With a whipped cream, almond and raspberry filling, the lovely swirled slices taste as good as they look. —Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
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Decadent Chocolate Crepe Cake Exps Cmz18 125434 C10 31 4b 5

Decadent Chocolate Crepe Cake

No other dessert has wowed family and friends the way this stunning crepe cake did the first time I made it. A showstopper in every sense of the word, it features layers of tender chocolate crepes and rich white chocolate buttercream frosting draped in a semisweet chocolate ganache. —Tina Sawchuk, Ardmore, Alberta
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Vanilla Bean Cake With White Chocolate Ganache Exps129488 Hc2379809b04 03 5b Rms 8

Vanilla Bean Cake with White Chocolate Ganache

For a distinctive dessert with unforgettable flavor, I recommend this cake. Feel free to substitute your favorite jam and lend your own touch to this signature treat. —Lisa Bogar, Coventry, Vermont
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Chocolate Carrot Cake Exps Cmz18 26433 D10 26 4b 3

Chocolate Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is a go-to Easter cake idea, but why not make it chocolate? Finely shredding the carrots gives this cake an extra-nice texture. The walnuts sprinkled on top add crunch, but you can leave them off if you prefer. —Pamela Brown, Williamsburg, Michigan
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Makeover Peach Upside Down Cake Exps Hcka19 17195 D10 20 5b 4

Makeover Peach Upside-Down Cake

This peachy delight has charmed folks for years. Our lightened version is even better with less fat and calories than other similar recipes.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Caroline Stanko
As Editor, Caroline writes and edits all things food-related and helps produce videos for Taste of Home. When she’s not at her desk, you can probably find Caroline cooking up a feast, planning her next trip abroad or daydreaming about her golden retriever, Mac.