45 Pretty Easter Desserts to Celebrate Spring

These easy dessert ideas are sweeter than anything in your Easter basket.

Malted Vanilla Cake
Photo: Chia Chong

Ham might be the centerpiece, but let's be honest: the real star of any holiday meal is dessert! Our collection of cute Easter desserts, including egg-shaped Easter cookie recipes, Easter cheesecakes, and several twists on carrot cake. Everyone is sure to hop away from the table happy.

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Lemon-Lavender Poppy Seed Cake

Lemon-Lavender Poppy Seed Cake
Blaine Moats

You don't have to look too far for Easter cake recipe inspiration. Just take a peek into your garden! A touch of dried lavender in this batter adds an extra layer of flavor to the classic pairing of lemon and poppy seed.

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Easter Dirt Cake

Easter Dirt Cake
Matthew Clark

Gardeners must try this Easter cake recipe! Chocolate cookie "dirt" and candy-dipped strawberry "carrots" make up this faux farm. Assemble these components atop a chocolate cake base for accurately-hued ground work.

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Neapolitan Marshmallow Treats

Neapolitan Marshmallow Treats
Jason Donnelly

Classic crispy cereal treats, now strata-style! Strawberry jelly and strawberry marshmallows make up the pink layer and semisweet chocolate pieces and chocolate rice cereal combine for the brown layer, while the top layer is classic vanilla. Voila!

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Malted Vanilla Cake

Malted Vanilla Cake
Chia Chong

Traditional vanilla cake gets a holiday-worthy update when layered with buttercream frosting and topped with cotton candy and malted milk Easter eggs. Choose candy in pastel colors for a picture-perfect display.

Test Kitchen Tip: Can't find—or not a fan of—malted milk eggs? Try peanut butter Easter eggs instead.

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Burrowing Bunnies

Burrowing Bunnies
Jason Donnelly

Everyone will giggle—then dig in—to help decorate these cute easter desserts! The bunny bums are made from coconut-coated jumbo marshmallows, while the itty-bitty feet are constructed with small marshmallows. Pipe pink icing foot pads on each to make them look just like little hoppers.

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Hummingbird Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Hummingbird Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Blaine Moats

Hummingbird cake is a Southern favorite, and cream cheese frosting is the perfect complement to the classic spice cake flavors. While there are countless ways to have fun with frosting, we're fond of these Easter cupcakes. How cute are those sprinkle bunny "whiskers"?!

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Marshmallow Easter Fluff

easter fluff dessert cups with peep bunnies
Matthew Clark

Take a break from more-common Easter Jell-O recipes and try a creamy pudding this year. The fruit-studded fluff makes a sweet foundation for the rabbit-shaped marshmallows. Stuff both inside a which chocolate egg "shell" and watch them quickly fly off the table.

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Spring Flower Cake Pops

Spring Flower Cake Pops

Customize this fun dessert recipe with your preferred cake flavor and favorite colors. Hey, you don't even need to bake a cake. Snag a prepared one from the bakery to crumble up and craft into darling little daisies.

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Speckled Egg Sugar Cookies

Speckled Egg Sugar Cookies

Decorate this delicious sugar cookie recipe into brightly colored Easter eggs, speckled with brown sugar and vanilla to look like real eggs. Gather these edible Easter eggs in a woven basket or arrange them atop our Woven Easter Basket Cake for an unforgettable display.

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Chick Cupcakes

Chick Cupcakes

You might be able to guess that chocolate frosting branches build the cute Easter dessert "nest." But can you tell how the bird comes to life? We can't stop chirping about it: The body is built on a halved cream-filled oblong sponge cake!

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Dressed-Up Marshmallow Bunnies

Dressed-Up Marshmallow Bunnies
Matthew Clark

Are you someone who thinks the best Easter dessert recipe must include marshmallow bunnies? Then take your favorite Easter treat to the next level by coating it in chocolate and adding pizzazz with sprinkles, coconut, and mini marshmallows. These bite-size Easter desserts will be a must-have for kids.

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Zucchini-Carrot Cake

Zucchini-Carrot Cake
Blaine Moats

Vegetables and cake shouldn't work together...but they do in this recipe. And we're not just talking about the marzipan vegetable patch. Double up on the veggies in this Easter cake recipe with a tasty combination of zucchini bread and carrot cake.

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Pink Lemonade Cake

Pink Lemonade Cake
Andy Lyons

Add some pucker to the party! Citrus fans will clamor for another slice of this lemonade-flavor Easter cake recipe. With lemonade buttercream frosting and pretty pink lemonade layers, this gorgeous cake is sure to impress everyone at Easter.

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Sugar Cookie Cutouts

Easter sugar cookies
Steven McDonald

Lambs, rabbits, and chicks—oh, my! Roll out the dough and hand out the cookie cutters: This decorated Easter cookie recipe is perfect for the kids. Cutting out the cookies isn't the only fun—there's also the decorating and the eating, which is an all-ages activity.

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Adorable Lamb Cake

Adorable Lamb Cake
Courtesy of Tessa Huff

A charming lamb cake is never a baaah-d addition to the spring dessert spread. This creative Easter cake recipe gets a fur-like look from the simple lacy frosting pattern. Easy fondant shapes give the face personality.

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Best-Loved Carrot Cake

Best-Loved Carrot Cake
Jason Donnelly

This Easter cake recipe is a certified classic, inspired by the Easter bunny's favorite veggie. You'll need 3 cups of shredded carrots for this lush layered cake. Don't skimp on the final flourishes: cream cheese frosting and chopped pecans.

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Sweet and Salty Chocolate Flowers

Sweet and Salty Chocolate Flowers
Matthew Clark

These poppable treats might just top the cute Easter dessert list! They're the perfect light dessert after Easter dinner—or for sneaking a quick snack before the meal. You can also keep them on the menu all spring long to put extra Easter candy to good use.

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Malted Brownies

Malted Brownies
Blaine Moats

Fans of malted milkshakes know the taste—a nutty, almost caramel richness from malted barley. This old-time drink powder flavors our brownies and the cocoa-marshmallow creme frosting.

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Layered Sherbet Cake

Layered Sherbet Cake
Kritsada Panichgul

Our Easter take on ice cream cake will give your holiday table a touch of pretty pastels. After carefully layering sherbet flavors, be sure to top your confection with coordinating sprinkles.

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Rhubarb Chess Pie

Rhubarb Chess Pie
Andy Lyons

An amazing Easter dessert doesn't have to be aggressively sweet. A delicious buttery filling provides a smooth base for tart rhubarb to shine. Just be sure to crown each slice with a "bunny tail" of whipped cream or ice cream!

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Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Mascarpone Frosting

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Mascarpone Frosting
Jennifer Davick

Give one of our favorite Easter cake recipes—carrot—a delicious update with subtle flavor upgrades like mascarpone in the frosting and cardamom in the cake. And the thatched pattern is actually a cinch. Frost as usual, then use an angled spatula to press and pull out individual shingle-like pieces.

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Berry Trifle

Berry Trifle
Karla Conrad

Here's an easy Easter dessert idea that can be made up to 24 hours in advance! This berry trifle is stacked high with vanilla pudding, pound cake, and juicy strawberries and blueberries. The semi-homemade dessert is pretty, portable, and takes less than 25 minutes of prep time.

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Strawberry-Rhubarb Bars

Strawberry-Rhubarb Bars
Jennifer Levy

Strawberry and rhubarb are a match made in spring flavor heaven. Combine this dream team to make these springtime bars. Don't fear the tang of the rhubarb: A sweet ginger glaze tames any lingering tartness.

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Coconut Layer Cake

Coconut Layer Cake
Jason Donnelly

A delicate toasted coconut chip crown elevates this creation over the Easter cake recipe competition. For even more nutty goodness, the layers are sandwiched with a luscious and creamy coconut filling. Ice with creme fraiche frosting—or your favorite snow-colored flavor.

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Hyacinth Flower Cake Pops

Hyacinth Flower Cake Pops
Amber Spiegel

Floral cake pops are a cute Easter dessert trend that's really growing on us! These bright and festive cake pops are made to resemble a spring bloom: hyacinths. Try it as a springy centerpiece at any Easter brunch or dinner.

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Deluxe Lemon Bars

Deluxe Lemon Bars
Blaine Moats

Get ready—these classic lemon bars will disappear from your dessert table in a hurry! Made with lemon juice and lemon peel, they're full of citrus flavor. Bake them up the night before Easter brunch, then cover and chill until it's time to serve the easy Easter dessert recipe.

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Mother Hen and Chicks Dessert

Mother Hen and Chicks Dessert
Kritsada Panichgul

Get into the spirit of spring with a mother hen cake and her lovable cupcake chicks. Make one layer cake for the hen, then make cupcakes for her head and tail. Decorate with homemade vanilla frosting, toasted coconut flakes, and candy pieces for a truly delightful Easter cake recipe.

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Carrot and Zucchini Bars

Carrot and Zucchini Bars
Andy Lyons

Yes, we already shared a mash-up Easter cake recipe featuring carrot and summer squash, but these bars are different. And they are the best Easter dessert recipes for those watching what they eat, bar none! Even with our creamy citrus frosting, these warmly-spiced delights are just 125 calories per serving.

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Apple-Almond Brave Betty

small white ramekins with Apple-Almond Brave Betty dessert and whipped cream
Jason Donnelly

This spin on brown betty, a dessert similar to apple crisp, is made with bourbon, Amaretti cookies, and cinnamon. Look for a tart apple like Granny Smith for this Easter dessert. Finish each bowl with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream.

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Vanilla Ruffle Cake

Vanilla Ruffle Cake
Andy Lyons

Talk about pretty in pink! With swirls of frosting and tender white layers, this deliciously fluffy Easter cake recipe makes a statement. To create rows of gorgeous vanilla-buttercream ruffles, use a decorating bag with a petal tip.

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Champagne Cake with Fresh Strawberries

Champagne Cake with Fresh Strawberries
Jason Donnelly

Nothing else says "hooray!" quite like a little bubbly. This beautiful cake is a breeze to make. Simply prepare packaged cake mix, but use sparkling wine instead of water. Bake and frost with tinted canned frosting for a pretty spring dessert.

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No-Bake Lime Crunch Cheesecake

No-Bake Lime Crunch Cheesecake Eggs
Adam Albright

Instead of filling colorful plastic eggs with candy, coins, or other treasures, fill the eggs with citrus cheesecake. Press a crunchy shortbread cookie crumb crust into the base of each medium-size egg, then pour in a creamy, no-bake lime-cream cheese filling and chill.

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Lamb and Ducky Cupcakes

Lamb and Ducky Cupcakes
Jason Donnelly

These too-cute cupcakes made to look like baby animals are the perfect treats for Easter. Marshmallows, flaked coconut, and small candies come together to make these spring cupcakes super cute. They're super tasty, too!

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Bacon-Chocolate Bark

Bacon Chocolate Bark
Blaine Moats

Three ingredients and 30 minutes are all you need for this easy Easter dessert recipe. This salty-savory-sweet combo proves that homemade candy can be just as tasty as store-bought. Break up the bark and wrap in a see-through bags for a fun addition to this year's Easter baskets. Or send them home as favors!

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Easter Cupcakes

Easter Cupcakes
Kate Mathis

Bake Easter cupcakes from our simple white cupcake recipe, then get creative! Think of it like a blank canvas for all of your spring spirit. For an adorable Easter egg design, pipe green frosting onto the cakes to form grass, then add assorted jelly beans for eggs. Bring spring flowers to life with the remaining colored frosting or mini candies.

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Tangerine Cheesecake Bars

Tangerine Cheesecake Bars
Jason Donnelly

Put a modern spin on orange cheesecake with these mouthwatering tangerine Easter cheesecake bars. It's worth the extra effort to candy the peels for the topping. Plus you can use any leftovers for cocktail garnishes come happy hour!

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Strawberry Hand Pies

Strawberry Hand Pies
Matthew Clark

Skip the traditional piecrust and make these individual hand pies for a creative Easter dessert idea. Stuffed with a sweet strawberry filling, they're sure to be a hit after dinner. Feeling decadent? Dunk in whipped cream or warmed-up icing.

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Stuffed Churro Puffs

Stuffed Churro Puffs
Jason Donnelly

A plate of these creamy churro puffs is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. This Easter dessert idea is filled with luscious whipped cream and purchased dulce de leche.

Test Kitchen Tip: Try swapping the whipped cream for scoops of vanilla ice cream!

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Strawberry, Mango & Rose Pavlova

Strawberry Mango Rose Pavlova
Andy Lyons

This decadent pavlova is topped with fresh mascarpone whipped cream and fresh fruit. Make it holiday-ready with a sprinkle of edible rose petals just before serving.

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Carrot Cake Cream Pies

Carrot Cake Cream Pies
Carson Downing

When carrot cake meets an oatmeal cream pie, yumminess transpires. Chewy oversize oat cookies contain traditional carrot cake ingredients: shredded carrots, toasted pecans, and warm spices. Instead of billowing on top, lemon-cream cheese frosting is sandwiched between the cookies. For an added touch, decorate with piped frosting carrots.

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Spice Market Carrot Cake

Spice Market Carrot Cake
Carson Downing

This carrot cake recipe gets Moroccan-inspired flavors from dried fruit and a ras el hanout spice blend. If you've never had ras el hanout, it's a mix of coriander, pepper, ginger, peppercorns, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, and cardamom. Having trouble finding it in the store? We've included a recipe to create your own blend.

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Chocolate Chess Pie

chocolate chess pie

Kelsey Hansen

This classic Southern pie deserves a spot on your Easter dessert spread. A rich, fudgy pie is topped with piles of chocolate whipped cream and chilled until until ready to serve. The result is a perfect combination of flaky crust, rich chocolate, and airy cream.

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Grapefruit and White Chocolate Cookies

Grapefruit and White Chocolate Cookies
Carson Downing

If you need a make-ahead Easter dessert idea, try these sweet citrus cookies. Dipping the grapefruit cookies in sweet white chocolate helps balance the fruit's naturally bitter flavor. Finish the cookies with colorful sanding sugar or flaky sea salt.

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Ice Cream Sandwich "Tiramisu"

ice cream sandwich tiramisu pink plates
Carson Downing

Skip the ladyfingers and assemble a creamy tiramisu recipe using ice cream sandwiches. Layer them up with crushed chocolate cookie crumbs and coffee liqueur-spiked cream. As one BHG home cook raves, "Everyone loved this version of tiramisu!"

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Polka-Dot Neapolitan Pie

Polka-Dot Neapolitan Pie
Carson Downing

This pastel Easter dessert idea is perfect for spring. Create a pretty ice cream pie using three flavors and an ice cream scoop. Finish with fluffy strawberry meringue and crushed freeze dried strawberries. A quick toasting with a torch is the finishing touch!

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