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.
35 Genius Easter Food Ideas to Try This Year
Updated on Feb. 15, 2024
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
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
1 loaf (16 slices)
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 157 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 264mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
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Bunny Pancakes
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 bunnies
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 547 calories, 29g fat (17g saturated fat), 163mg cholesterol, 1329mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein.
4/35
Hot Cross Buns
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 bun: 171 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 145mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
5/35
Deviled Eggs
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed egg half: 73 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 81mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
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Carrot Sheet Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
30 servings
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 311 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 193mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
7/35
Au Gratin Potatoes
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These cheesy potatoes are always welcome at our dinner table, and they're so simple to make. A perfect complement to ham, the versatile, homey side dish also goes well with pork, chicken and other entrees. —Cris O'Brien, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 225 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 602mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.
8/35
Peeps House
From the Recipe Creator:
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
9/35
Bunny Cinnamon Rolls
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 290 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 685mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
10/35
Asparagus Tart
Total Time
35 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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 piece. —Heidi Meek, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 142 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 202mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
11/35
Marmalade Candied Carrots
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 211 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 4g fiber), 2g protein.
12/35
Peanut Butter Eggs
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 eggs
From the Recipe Creator:
Get the kids involved in making these chocolate and peanut buttery treats, well worth the sticky fingers! —Mary Joyce Johnson, Upper Darby, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 egg: 346 calories, 21g fat (10g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 128mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
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Pretzel Gelatin Dessert
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 401 calories, 22g fat (14g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 401mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
14/35
Strawberry-Rhubarb Muffins
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 muffin: 243 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 155mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
15/35
Carrot Cake Jam
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 half-pints
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 88 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
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Plum-Glazed Lamb
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked lamb: 338 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 137mg cholesterol, 283mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 2g fiber), 39g protein.
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Easter Egg Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 126 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 102mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
18/35
Pickled Eggs and Beets
Total Time
10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 egg: 168 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 212mg cholesterol, 200mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
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Parmesan Asparagus
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
6 ounce-weight: 107 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 273mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
20/35
Easter Bunny Treats
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Our whole family has fun making these bunny-riffic treats together. They are just so cute! —Holly Jost, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 treat: 128 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 48mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
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Bird Nests
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 nest: 276 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 215mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
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Ricotta Bread
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
18 servings.
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 376 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 247mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
23/35
Carrot Garden Ice Cream Dessert
Total Time
15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 414 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 228mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
24/35
Mimosa Floats
Total Time
5 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My granddaughters and I came up with this clever and easy idea for Easter. —Kelly Ciepluch, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 29 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 8mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
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Carrot Cake Pancakes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 dozen (0.50 cup syrup)
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
2 pancakes: 388 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 673mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 4g fiber), 10g protein.
27/35
Bunny Rolls
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll (calculated without butter): 80 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 105mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
28/35
Chocolate-Covered Eggs
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 180 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 22mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
29/35
Meringue Shells with Lemon Curd
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 meringue shell with 2 tablespoons curd: 146 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 77mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
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Sangria Gelatin Ring
Total Time
15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This gelatin is enjoyed by everyone because you just can't go wrong with fresh berries. —Nicole Nemeth, Komoka, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 117 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 52mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
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Carrot Cake Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 4-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I took my favorite carrot cake recipe and slightly tweaked it to make cookies. Just like the cake, the yummy bites are filled with shredded carrot, pineapple and raisins—and topped with a homemade cream cheese frosting. —Lawrence Earl, Sumner, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 129 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 81mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
32/35
White Chocolate Easter Egg Candies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 2 dozen (1-1/2 pounds)
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 76 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 22mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
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Orange Chocolate Ricotta Pie
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 525 calories, 31g fat (16g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 346mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 0 fiber), 17g protein.
34/35
Kiddie Crunch Mix
Total Time
10 min
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 266 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 159mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein.
35/35
Meringue Bunnies
Total Time
2 hours
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
