The days are getting longer, the weather is slightly warmer, and a certain bunny is ready to hop by for a visit. It can only mean one thing: Easter is almost here. No matter how you celebrate, the spring holiday is an ideal time to enjoy a delicious get-together with family and friends. Whether the main event is a bountiful brunch or a deluxe dinner, no Easter spread is complete without something sweet. Once the eggs have all been found and devoured and everyone’s had their fill of ham, the real star of the show takes the spotlight—dazzling Easter desserts. We’re sharing our favorite Easter desserts featuring fresh flavors, bright colors, and a sprinkle of fun guaranteed to end your Easter gathering on a sweet note.
Chocolate Pudding Dirt Cups
Little ones can help assemble this whimsical treat that is both a dessert and an art project. An orange-dyed vanilla coating turns fresh strawberries into “carrots” growing in “dirt” made with crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and chocolate pudding to resemble a springtime veggie garden.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Pudding Dirt Cups
Strawberries and Cream Layer Cake
This centerpiece-worthy mashup dessert combines an airy sponge with a classic strawberry shortcake. Boxed cake mix and vanilla pudding mix help to fast-track prep for a luscious layer cake with a mousse-like creme filling and fresh berries.
Get the recipe: Strawberry and Cream Layer Cake
Lemon Pie Sandwich Cookies
These springtime flowers taste like lemon meringue pie but they come together with a fraction of the work. Store-bought lemon curd and marshmallow creme make up the sunny yellow filling sandwiched between daisy-shaped cookies cut from sheets of refrigerated pie dough.
Get the recipe: Lemon Pie Sandwich Cookies
Classic Carrot Cake
Our take on carrot cake lets you bake one of the most iconic Easter desserts, but it serves 14 with just 20 minutes of prep. Shredded carrot and buttermilk create an ultramoist crumb in this traditional cake studded with crunchy nuts and topped with cream cheese frosting.
Get the recipe: Classic Carrot Cake
Easter Candy Bark
This no-bake treat makes an eye-catching addition to the dessert platter and it’s also a tasty way to use up Easter basket leftovers. Kids can choose their favorite bite-sized candies and colorful sprinkles to adorn melted white chocolate that hardens into finger-friendly bark.
Get the recipe: Easter Candy Bark
Mini Chick Tartlets
These individual tartlets are ready to “tweet” with just 15 minutes of prep thanks to store-bought shortcuts, like jarred lemon curd and premade graham cracker pie crusts. Palm-sized lemon tarts transform into adorable Easter chicks with the addition of chocolate chip “eyes” and chewy candy “wings” and “beaks.”
Get the recipe: Mini Chick Tartlets
Vanilla Lemon Icebox Cake
This crowd-pleasing, make-ahead dessert sets up in the freezer, saving space in the oven for the rest of the big meal. With layers of lemony cream cheese filling in between vanilla cookies and a crown of fresh fruit on top, it tastes like cheesecake without the hassle.
Get the recipe: Vanilla-Lemon Icebox Cake
Better-for-You Bunny Cake
Low sugar doesn’t have to mean skimping on flavor or fun with this kid-approved Easter cake. A simple slicing technique turns a cake made from a boxed mix into a festive bunny topped with yogurt-based frosting and fresh fruit decorations.
Get the recipe: Better-for-You Bunny Cake
Daffodil Cake with Macerated Strawberries
This airy cake inspired by the season has white and pale yellow layers, just like its namesake flower. Topped with whipped cream and sweetened strawberries, it’s worthy of a special occasion and light enough to serve after a big meal.
Get the recipe: Daffodil Cake with Macerated Strawberries
Strawberry Pretzel Slab Pie
If you love a little salty with your sweet, this one-of-a-kind showstopping slab pie for a crowd (it serves 16) might become your new favorite springtime dessert. Crushed pretzels make the crust for a rectangular pie topped with creamy vanilla pudding and fresh strawberries.
Get the recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Slab Pie
Pink Lemonade Cake Roll
Pink lemonade moves from pitcher to dessert platter in this impressive cake roll. A creamy, raspberry-lemon filling spiraled inside tender lemon cake made from a boxed mix makes an epic Easter dessert and sweet centerpiece for any spread.
Get the recipe: Pink Lemonade Cake Roll