If you’re planning an Easter brunch or looking for what to bring to your next spring potluck, you’re in the right place. As the world warms up and the season’s new produce appears (hello, carrots and leeks!), us cooks are excited to lean into cheery, celebratory dishes. Leading up to the holiday, we dug into the data to see which Easter dishes BHG readers love the most. From a fluffy frosted carrot cake to garlicky swirl rolls to deviled eggs worth a million bucks, these are the holiday dishes our readers make every year.
Credit:
Jake Sternquist
No Easter menu would be complete without a show-stopping ham, and this glazed beauty is made to be a centerpiece. Coat a spiral ham with a sweet-savory sauce made with brown sugar, pineapple juice, mustard, and warm cinnamon and cloves. And be sure to choose a juicy orange for this recipe, the juice and the zest livens things up in a big way.
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Brie Goldman / Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly
This stunning layer cake has a moist, dense crumb, thanks to a mountain of finely grated carrots, and a hint of tang from the classic cream cheese frosting. You can flavor your cake with ground cinnamon or switch things up with dried ginger for a lightly spiced version. Whatever you do, don’t skip the chopped walnuts, which add some nice texture and make a simple garnish.
Credit:
Brie Goldman / Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly
These cute bites look like a party, especially if you break out your swirly piping tip (though a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off will also do the trick). Dusted with bright paprika and flavored with butter, mayonnaise, and mustard, these deviled eggs are rich, flavorful, and right at home on your Easter table.
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Jason Donnelly / Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman
We love a dump cake here, and this citrusy version is made for Easter dinner. It’s made with a handful of simple ingredients and comes together with just 10 minutes of hands-on prepwork. Canned lemon pie filling, cake mix, and frozen blueberries make this one of the easiest cakes you’ll bake. Scoop out slices and serve them with vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream for the full effect.
Credit:
Jacob Fox
Don’t let the name fool you; these potatoes have nothing to do with mud. Far from it—they’re topped with the always tantalizing combination of bacon and melted cheese. A few key additions really send this side dish over the top for the holiday, including sour cream and mayonnaise for extra creaminess.
Credit:
Jake Sternquist
Start your holiday morning on a sweet note with this smart shortcut recipe that tastes like a freshly-baked cinnamon roll without any fussy steps. It starts with canned cinnamon rolls, which get stirred into a creamy custard made with eggs and half and half. A generous sprinkle of nuts adds some crunch on top for a breakfast that fills your home with mouthwatering aromas.
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Gabe Grecco
If you prefer your swirlled rolls savory, these loaded garlicy bites are for you. The dough is fluffy and soft, and the filling is packed with fresh herbs, garlic, and three kinds of cheese (mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan). Be warned: you might need a double batch!
Credit:
Jason Donnelly
Every party appetizer board needs a dip, and this light and fluffy spread is perfect for Easter. Whole milk ricotta is rich and spreadable, Parmesan is savory, and a refreshing blend of fresh basil, oregano, and chives makes the whole thing taste like spring. Serve it with crostini, pita wedges, or a colorful array of fresh veggies.
Credit:
Gabe Greco
Crispy potatoes are a delicious vehicle for just about any flavor, and they’re especially great drizzled with hot honey. The secret to these ultra-crispy spuds is duck fat. The high smoke point (375 degrees) beats out other cooking fats like olive oil and vegetable oil because the potatoes can take on a super crisp crust without burning. Preheating your baking sheet and giving the potatoes plenty of breathing room in the oven also helps. The hot honey is just the cherry on top of an already winning side dish.
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Photo: Greg DuPree
Carrots abound in the spring, and this creative way to serve them will have guests coming back for seconds. They’re lightly charred on the grill until crisp-tender (never mushy!), then coated in a sweet and spicy Buffalo-style sauce. Add crumbled blue cheese for creaminess and tang, and garnish your dish with carrot tops for a pop of green.
Credit:
Grant Webster
Also known as Tsoureki, this traditional Greek bread is flavored with orange zest and mahlab spice, which is made from wild cherry pits and can be found online or at specialty stores. The bread has a lovely bright and floral flavor with a hint of nuttiness. It’s made with whole eggs and butter for a rich, hearty texture, and topped with three dyed hard-boiled eggs to celebrate the holiday.
Dining and Cooking