From a no bake Oreo tart to chocolate hot cross buns: 75+ Easter cakes and sweet treat recipes
It's not just chocolate eggs for Easter. Check out our decadent collection of Easter cakes and dessert recipes.
Easter is just around the corner and, for many of us, it marks the first proper gathering of the year. It’s a chance to spend time with friends and family, embrace the lighter days and celebrate the start of spring. It’s also the perfect excuse to indulge in hot cross buns (generously lathered with butter, of course), enjoy a slow Sunday lunch with a beautiful leg of lamb and finish with a showstopping dessert at the centre of the table.
Here are a few of our favourite Easter sweet treats to make this year:Hot Cross Buns
Traditionally eaten on Good Friday, with the cross symbolising the crucifixion, hot cross buns are a staple of the Easter weekend. If you’re baking your own, make sure your yeast is within date and that your milk is just warm rather than hot. Too much heat will kill the yeast and your buns won’t rise properly, resulting in dense, heavy buns.
Kneading is key. Aim for at least 10 minutes to properly develop the gluten, which gives you that smooth, elastic dough and a light, fluffy texture once baked. To test if your dough is ready, gently press it with your finger — it should spring back.
If you love the flavour but fancy something new this year, try our lemon drizzle hot cross buns for a fresh twist.
Simnel Cake
Simnel cake has long been associated with Easter. Traditionally enjoyed on Mothering Sunday, it later became a celebratory bake to mark the end of Lent. Lighter than a Christmas cake but still packed with dried fruit and topped with marzipan, it’s now synonymous with the season. The 11 marzipan balls on top are said to represent the 11 disciples (excluding Judas). If you want something simpler but just as flavourful, our Simnel traybake is a brilliant alternative.
Easter Eggs
Easter eggs symbolise new life and renewal, making them the ultimate springtime treat. If you’re not sure which to choose, our latest GHI Easter Egg Taste Test winners will help you pick the very best this year.
And if sweet treats aren’t your focus, we’ve also rounded up our best ever Easter lamb roast recipes for a fail-safe, crowd-pleasing lunch.
Hot Cross Cardamom Bun
We've mashed up a hot cross bun with a cardamom bun to give you possibly the greatest invention ever to exist! It's gently spiced and fruited just like a hot cross bun, but has that lovely cardamom spice and texture.
Recipe: Hot Cross Cardamom Bun
Hot Cross Bun Doughnuts
These epic hot cross bun doughnuts are filled with a zesty orange custard and make the perfect activity over the long weekend.
Recipe: Hot Cross Bun Doughnuts
No Bake Oreo Easter Tart
If you can't get enough or Oreo's and Easter chocolate. This is the hybrid tart you need in your life. And there's no baking involved either!
Recipe: No Bake Oreo Easter Tart
Hot Cross Bun Treacle Tart
We've whizzed up hot cross buns to make the base of this clever treacle tart and it is so moreish and delicious. The perfect dessert this Easter.
Recipe: Hot Cross Bun Treacle Tart
Crustless Honey and Ricotta Cheesecake
This recipe is inspired by a traditional Greek dessert called melopita.
Mini Egg Blondies
How could anyone resist these squares of Easter joy?! Fudgy, decadent and utterly delicious. Kids will love helping with these.
Recipe: Mini Egg Blondies
Mini Earl Grey Loaf Cakes
These pretty little cakes are delicately fragranced with earl grey tea and make a beautiful afternoon treat.
Recipe: Mini Earl Grey Loaf Cakes
Simnel Spiced Daisy Biscuits
These subtly spiced biscuits are sure to become a new favourite.
Recipe: Simnel Spiced Daisy Biscuits
Double Chocolate Shortbreads
These chocolatey shortbread biscuits are sandwiched with a rich white chocolate ganache, though you could always use a shop-bought chocolate hazelnut spread if you’re short on time.
Recipe: Double Chocolate Shortbreads
Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
If you love chocolate and orange then you'll love these spiced chocolate hot cross buns that are smothered with a spiced orange butter too.
Recipe: Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
Rhubarb & Rose Cupcakes
These rhubarb and rose cupcakes make the most of the short (but sweet) rhubarb season and make a lovely addition to your Easter lunch too.
Recipe: Rhubarb & rose cupcakes
Orange Blossom Baklava Cheesecake
Delicate floral notes and warm sweet spices perfume this silky cheesecake and crunchy topping.
Simnel Cupcakes
We’ve turned the traditional Easter cake into cute and colourful cupcakes.
Recipe: Simnel Cupcakes
Apricot and Cardamom Hot Cross Buns
Nothing beats a homemade hot cross bun! These are scented with cardamom and studded with dried apricots for a new twist. Divine served warm, split and slathered with salted butter.
Easter Egg Tiffin
A guaranteed hit with little ones, tiffins are good way of using up leftover dried fruit, nuts and biscuits so try experimenting with different combinations.
Recipe: Easter Egg Tiffin
Double Decker Rocky Road
Kids and adults will love this fun twist on classic rocky road. Swap the biscuit balls and Mini Eggs for any Easter treats you have left over.
Recipe: Double Decker Rocky Road
Crème Egg Traybake
Crème Egg Traybake: Celebrate Easter in all its glory with this colourful traybake. If you’re not a fan of Crème Eggs then top with your favourite chocolate instead.
Recipe: Crème Egg Traybake
Fried Egg and Bacon Biscuits
Who wouldn’t want breakfast at teatime?! Amuse your guests with these sweet egg and bacon biscuits.
Recipe: Fried Egg and Bacon Biscuits
Mini Egg Cheesecake Squares
Mini Egg Cheesecake Squares: These layered cheesecake squares are the perfect Easter teatime treat. If making for children you may like to swap the orange zest for 1tsp vanilla extract.
Recipe: Mini Egg Cheesecake Squares
Baileys Chocolate Loaf Cake
With a boozy Baileys twist and a delicious rich chocolate flavour, this fabulous bake with novelty bunny decoration is a celebration of all things Easter.
Recipe: Baileys Chocolate Loaf Cake
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