36 Genius Easter Food Ideas to Try This Year

These Easter food ideas take your holiday celebration to a new level. In this collection you'll find bunny-shaped recipes, clever uses for Easter candy, traditional favorites and more.

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Peeps Hacks

Put that package of Easter Peeps to work! These clever ideas show you how to turn the sweet candy into s’mores, pancakes, drink toppers and more.

Get step-by-step instructions for the Sunflower Cake here.

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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
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Fluffy Bunny Pancakes

Kids will love that these bunny pancakes are as tasty as they are cute. If you need to hightail it out of the kitchen in no time, you can substitute pancake mix. —Shannon Norris, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Bourbon-Spiced Glazed Ham

This amazing bourbon-spiked ham makes a wonderful main course for a holiday feast. And leftovers (if there are any) make delicious sandwiches. —Karen Sublett-Young, Princeton, Indiana
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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
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Best Deviled Eggs

Herbs lend amazing flavor to these deviled eggs, which truly are the best you can make! The recipe includes tasty variations that feature bacon, chipotle peppers and crab.—Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
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Carrot Sheet Cake

We sold pieces of this to-die-for carrot cake at an art show. Before long, we sold all 10 cakes we had made! —Dottie Cosgrove South El Monte, California
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Simple au Gratin Potatoes

These homemade au gratin potatoes are always welcome at our dinner table, and they're so simple to make. A perfect complement to ham, this homey potato gratin also goes well with pork, chicken and other entrees. —Cris O'Brien, Virginia Beach, Virginia
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Peeps House

Create a sweet house for your favorite Easter basket treat. Use pastel candies to decorate the roof and nest. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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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
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Fontina Asparagus Tart

This lemony tart is loaded with fontina cheese and fresh asparagus. It's a snap to make but looks really impressive. Be advised…your guests will be vying for the last tasty slice. —Heidi Meek, Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Marmalade Candied Carrots

My favorite way to make baby carrots is to steam them, then drizzle with an orangey glaze that makes them candy-sweet. —Heather Clemmons, Supply, North Carolina
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Peanut Butter Easter Eggs

Get the kids involved in making these chocolate and peanut buttery treats, well worth the sticky fingers! —Mary Joyce Johnson, Upper Darby, Pennsylvania
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Pretzel Gelatin Dessert

This is one of my mother's absolute favorite desserts. The salty pretzel crust is the perfect complement to the sweet cream cheese filling. —Erin Frakes, Moline, Illinois
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Nut-Topped Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

A sweet, crispy topping highlights these tender muffins that are filled with two favorite spring foods, rhubarb and strawberries. They're perfect for a brunch or a grab-and-go breakfast. —Audrey Stallsmith, Hadley, Pennsylvania
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Carrot Cake Jam

For a change of pace from berry jams, try this unique option. Spread on a bagel with cream cheese, it tastes almost as good as real carrot cake! —Rachelle Stratton, Rock Springs, Wyoming
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Plum-Glazed Lamb

Fruity and flavorful, this wonderful glaze is simple to prepare, and its hint of garlic really complements the lamb. The recipe makes enough glaze to baste the lamb during roasting and leaves plenty to pass when serving. —Ann Eastman Greenville, California
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Easter Egg Cookies

My mother started baking these cookies 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
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Pickled Eggs with Beets

Ever since I can remember, my mother served this pickled egg recipe at Easter. It was a tradition that my family expected. I made them for my granddaughter the last time she visited and they were all gone before she left. —Mary Banker, Fort Worth, Texas
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Parmesan Asparagus

Nothing could be more simple than this side dish. Since it has just four ingredients, I assemble it in no time, then pop it into the oven for about 15 minutes. It turns out perfect every time. —Mary Ann Marino, West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Easter Bunny Treats

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

This is a fun, kid-friendly recipe I pulled together a few years ago. My kids love helping me make these. —Jessica Boivin, Nekoosa, Wisconsin
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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 Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
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Carrot Garden Ice Cream Dessert

When I was a kid, my mom made an ice cream dessert topped with gummy worms. I’ve riffed on it with carrots made out of frosting. —Karen Enns, Kamloops, British Columbia
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Mimosa Floats

Everyone needs a little treat at brunch! I wanted to kick things up a notch, so I added a scoop of ice cream to my mimosas. Sometimes I add chocolate, too.—Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Bunny Tails

My granddaughters and I came up with this clever and easy idea for Easter. —Kelly Ciepluch, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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Carrot Cake Pancakes

Here's a way for fans of carrot cake to have their favorite dessert for breakfast. These delicate, decadent pancakes are drizzled with sweet and spicy maple syrup that complements the sour cream and nut topping. —Leane Goering, Salem, Indiana
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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
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Chocolate-Covered Eggs

These pretty little candies beat any store-bought variety hands down! Decorating them can take as little or as much effort as you like. The looks of delight on the faces of those who try them make every minute worth it. —Louise Oberfoell, Bowman, North Dakota
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Meringue Shells with Lemon Curd

We love a dazzling dessert of meringue shells filled with sunny lemon curd. It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy. Top this lemon curd dessert with whipped cream and berries. —Kris Brill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Sangria Gelatin Ring

This gelatin is enjoyed by everyone because you just can't go wrong with fresh berries. —Nicole Nemeth, Komoka, Ontario
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Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies

This cookie's always been a favorite with my kids, and a best-seller at bake sales. If you want to gild the lily, you can add toasted chopped walnuts or pecans to the frosting. —Linda Ross, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
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White Chocolate Easter Egg Candies

Candy 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
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Orange Chocolate Ricotta Pie

The orange and chocolate flavors make a classic pairing in this traditional Italian dessert. I serve it during the holidays and for special occasions. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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Kiddie Crunch Mix

This no-bake snack mix is a delightful treat for kids, and you can easily increase the amount to fit your needs. Place in individual bags, or pour some into colored ice cream cones for a fun presentation. —Kara de la Vega, Santa Rosa, California
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Meringue Bunnies

These cute meringues are a great addition to your table when entertaining at Easter. Enlist the kids to help shape the bunny rabbits. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Katie Bandurski
As Senior Shopping Editor, Katie connects Taste of Home readers with the best gifts, deals and home products on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments. When she’s out of the office, you’ll find her exploring Wisconsin, trying out new vegetarian recipes and watching Christmas movies.