70+ Best Easter Recipes
Easter Sunday falls on the 31st March this year and we're so excited for all the delicious food and drink that comes with the long bank holiday weekend celebrations.
Whether you're cooking for friends and family or just want a special meal for yourself, we've got the perfect recipes to make this springtime occasion one to remember.
If you're looking for a classic leg of lamb recipe or a special starter (like these irresistibly moreish crab cakes with fennel remoulade), we've got you covered. For a more hands-off cooking approach, there's our slow cooker leg of lamb and slow roast ratatouille lamb shoulder, which provides a delicious main that is best served with our crispy stacked potatoes.
The thought of roasting lamb putting you off? We've got the perfect pointers on how to cook a tender and succulent roast lamb every time. Follow our step by step guide from our own cookery experts.
Looking for something sweet instead? There's a whole host of Easter baking ideas, too. From show-stopping cakes and biscuits, to those all-important hot cross buns (sweet and savoury!). It wouldn't be Easter without a light and fruity Simnel cake or you could try our traybake version for an easier option.
We've compiled our favourite Easter recipes in one place to provide inspiration, for both sweet and savoury cravings, and the recipes worth making over the bank holiday weekend. Let's just hope for sunny weather to accompany these delicious recipes!
Don't forget about your beverage options this Easter. Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have taste tested a whole range of champagne's that would make a brilliant addition to your Easter table. We'll be reaching for this top scoring red wine to go with our roast lamb. If you fancy white wine instead (or both!), we've rounded up our top scoring whites too.
Happy Easter!
Orange blossom baklava cheesecake
Delicate floral notes and warm sweet spices perfume this silky cheesecake and crunchy topping.
Recipe: Orange blossom baklava cheesecake
Rhubarb Frangipane Tart
Dainty pink stems of rhubarb nestled in a sweet frangipane – the prettiest dessert to end any Easter celebration meal.
Recipe: Rhubarb Frangipane Tart
Artichoke Stuffed Leg of Lamb with Red Wine Gravy
decadent rolled leg, generously stuffed with artichoke hearts, pine nuts and lashings of lemon zest and garlic, served with a simple but delicious roasting tin gravy.
Recipe: Artichoke Stuffed Leg of Lamb with Red Wine Gravy
Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
These chocolate hot cross buns are still fragrantly spiced like traditional ones but are doused with an irresistible orange glaze and served with an orange butter for a zesty taste.
Recipe: Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
Crab Cakes with Fennel Remoulade
This delicate starter celebrates the start of crab season, although you can keep costs down by using a mixture of fresh and tinned crab meat if you like. Look for tinned lump crab meat and use larger pieces of fresh crab meat if you can, to prevent the crab cakes from being mushy.
Recipe: Crab Cakes with Fennel Remoulade
Carrot salad with cumin and radish
Our carrot, cumin and radish salad recipe is a delicious side dish. Sweet and sticky carrots contrast with the crisp crunch of fresh radishes.
Recipe: Carrot salad with cumin and radish
Rhubarb & rose cupcakes
Make the most of rhubarb season and try these floral cupcakes. The rose gives them a lovely light flavour and the rhubarb spirals are a really tasty addition.
Recipe: Rhubarb & rose cupcakes
Butterflied Moroccan Lamb
Sliced, arranged on a platter and scattered with pomegranate jewels, this simple-to-serve lamb joint looks gorgeously impressive. Get a butcher to butterfly the meat for you, for maximum ease.
Recipe: Butterflied Moroccan Lamb
Greek stuffed lamb
This tasty roast lamb has a Mediterranean twist, with pistachios, oregano and cinnamon in the stuffing.
Recipe: Greek stuffed lamb
Jumbo salmon blini
This sensational starter can be served on a cake stand and will definitely impress your guests!
Recipe: Jumbo salmon blini
Easter Leg of lamb
This slow-roasted leg of lamb Easter recipe is the perfect main dish for a lovely, traditional supper.
Recipe: Leg of lamb
Easter Egg Tiffin
This Easter recipe is 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
Easter rocky road
Kids will love this fun twist on the classic teatime treat set on a crispy, chewy base.
Recipe: Easter rocky road
Iced Easter biscuits
A recipe that everyone will enjoy after a meal - the condensed milk also gives these Easter biscuits an extra crunch.
Recipe: Iced Easter biscuits
Griddled asparagus with broad beans and tahini
This tasty griddled asparagus recipe is tossed with broad beans and a nutty tahini dressing.
Recipe: Griddled asparagus with broad beans and tahini
Crème Egg Traybake Cake
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 Cake
Creme Egg chocolate fondants
You don’t have to be nervous about getting the timings for these melt-in-the-middle puddings spot on, as the Creme Eggs give them their gooey interior.
Recipe: Creme Egg chocolate fondants
Easter rainbow cake
This stunning Easter cake is made with Simnel-inspired flavours. The icing is easier than it looks.
Recipe: Easter rainbow cake
Hot cross bun layer cake
This centrepiece pudding is full of spice and ideal to prepare ahead.
Recipe: Hot cross bun layer cake
Courgette cake
This delicious savoury show piece cake will make a good side dish for an incredible Easter feast.
Recipe: Courgette cake
Rolled leg of lamb with anchovy, parsley and lemon
This rolled leg of lamb is quicker to cook and easy to carve. An Easter recipe to have ready to go.
Recipe: Rolled leg of lamb with anchovy, parsley and lemon
Pesto potato salad
This super simple pesto potato salad is packed full of flavour. You’ll never need to buy potato salad again!
Recipe: Pesto potato salad
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
Slow roast ratatouille lamb shoulder
An all-in-one roast that’s full of the flavours of France. You might want some crusty baguette on the side to dip into the ratatouille.
Recipe: Slow roast ratatouille lamb shoulder
Speckled egg cupcakes
You'll turn to this fail-safe chocolate cupcake recipe again and again.
Recipe: Speckled egg cupcakes
Spiced chocolate hot cross buns
Hot cross buns with melting chocolate chunks and orange butter.
Recipe: Spiced chocolate hot cross buns
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
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.
Recipe: Apricot and Cardamom Hot Cross Buns
Ice cream eggs
These ice cream-filled eggs are a quirky end to an Easter supper, and guaranteed to raise a laugh!
Recipe: Ice cream eggs
White chocolate and pistachio profiteroles
This fail-safe pudding looks impressive and is guaranteed to be a success.
Recipe: White chocolate and pistachio profiteroles
Bird's custard pinwheels
This egg-free recipe uses Bird’s Custard Powder which was invented in 1837 and is still a trusty store cupboard staple today. They will make a great end to the meal for both adults and children.
Recipe: Bird’s custard pinwheels
Treacle tart
Sticky, sweet and lightly spiced – the perfect end to a festive meal!
Recipe: Treacle tart
Asparagus soup with dippy egg
This delicate soup tastes of Spring – perfect for making the most of homegrown British asparagus at its very best. Poach eggs in advance, if you like, or leave them out.
Recipe: Asparagus soup with dippy egg
Blinis with whipped goat's cheese and honey
These speedy little bites are a doddle to make. If you’re not a fan of goat’s cheese, use plain cream cheese instead.
Recipe: Blinis with whipped goat's cheese and honey
Lemon and poppy seed pancakes
Light, zesty and easy, these puffed pancakes are a delectable start to your Sunday and a fun Easter recipe to enjoy together.
Recipe: Lemon and poppy seed pancakes
Courgette and pesto tart
If serving for vegetarians, make sure to use Parmesan-free pesto.
Recipe: Courgette and pesto tart
Nutella banana bread
A glorious combination of Nutella and bananas - a slice of this loaf is perfect with a cup of tea.
Recipe: Nutella banana bread
Creme egg cheesecake
This all-out Easter pud makes no apologies for being decadent!
Recipe: Creme egg cheesecake
Coconut and lime shortbread biscuits
Decorating Easter biscuits is a great way to spend the holidays with the kids or just to brush up on your own skills. Simply stock up on piping bags and get messy!
Recipe: Coconut and lime shortbread
Egg and spoon biscuit bunting
These sweet biscuits look so pretty iced and hung up like bunting.
Recipe: Egg and spoon biscuit bunting
Fried egg soup
In fact, it's cauliflower soup with a squash yolk!
Recipe: Fried egg soup
Slow roast lamb shoulder with salsa verde
This meltingly tender roast lamb recipe is a luxurious but inexpensive way to feed a family – and can be roasted ahead of time.
Recipe: Slow roast lamb shoulder with salsa verde
Rhubarb and custard profiteroles
Use a star nozzle to pipe filling into the buns to prevent the rhubarb clogging the nozzle.
Recipe: Rhubarb and custard profiteroles
Crispy oregano potatoes
Polenta adds a wonderful crunch to these potatoes.
Recipe: Crispy oregano potatoes
Carrot and goats cheese tartlet
Carrots take centre stage in this tart recipe - perfect for a vegetarian main course.
Recipe: Carrot and goats cheese tartlet
Easter bark
This chocolatey, tasty treat is SO easy to make and is the perfect gift for friends and family this Easter.
Recipe: Easter bark
Chocolate babka
Rippled with thick, rich dark chocolate, this Eastern European sweet bread is delicious served for brunch.
Recipe: Chocolate babka
Earl grey celebration cake
We’ve given the classic lemon and poppy seed cake a subtle, Earl Grey twist. Covered with decadent lemon curd buttercream, it’s the perfect teatime celebration cake. If you’re not a fan of Earl Grey, simply leave the tea out.
Recipe: Earl grey celebration cake
Simnel cookies
These American-style cookies are inspired by simnel cake, with almonds, raisins and spice. We’ve added white chocolate for extra indulgence, but for a double almond hit, swap it for 50g (2oz) marzipan cut into chunks.
Recipe: Simnel cookies
Goat's cheese hot cross bun loaf
We love the mix of sweet and savoury flavours in this loaf! Serve warm with butter and extra honey, or toast slices and top with crispy streaky bacon for brunch.
Recipe: Savoury hot cross bun loaf
Traditional Simnel cake
This light and fruity simnel cake recipe is an essential for Easter.
Recipe: Traditional simnel cake
Easy Easter Simnel cake
If you're not in the mood to create a full simnel cake, this easy traybake is an ideal Easter recipe.
Recipe: Easy Easter simnel cake
Fennel and orange roast leg of lamb
Buy the best-quality lamb you can afford – you’ll be rewarded in the flavour stakes.
Recipe: Fennel and orange roast leg of lamb
Butternut and mushroom wellington
The miso might sound out of place in this vegan wellington, but it adds a delicious savoury flavour that really boosts the mushrooms.
Recipe: Butternut and mushroom wellington
Cheesy duchesse leek gratin
When retro deliciousness covers buttery leeks, magic happens!
Recipe: Cheesy duchesse leek gratin
Rhubarb meringue pie
The biscuits in the pastry add subtle gingery warmth and help keep the pie case crisp.
Recipe: Rhubarb meringue pie
White chocolate, raspberry and passionfruit trifle
This failsafe pudding is sure to please both adults and children.
Recipe: White chocolate, raspberry and passionfruit trifle
Vegan hot cross buns
These vegan hot cross buns are so easy to make and super tasty served warm and slathered in vegan spread.
Recipe: Vegan hot cross buns
Pea, mint and asparagus soup
Fresh, bright and light, a great start to a spring meal.
Recipe: Pea, mint and asparagus soup
Easter recipes: Crab and Ricotta Tartlets
Best served warm, these delicate tartlets come together quickly
Recipe: Crab and Ricotta Tartlets
Slow cooker leg of lamb
The perfect main for your Sunday lunch - this tender slow cooker leg of lamb recipe is delicious with gravy.
Recipe: Slow cooker leg of lamb
Crispy stacked potatoes
Swap the butter for duck or goose fat, for a more indulgent flavour. Dried rosemary would work well here, too.
Recipe: Crispy stacked potatoes
Pea Scotch Eggs
If you’re short on time, use cooked and peeled quail eggs. You won’t get the joy of the runny yolks, but they will still go down a treat.
Recipe: Pea Scotch Eggs
Crumbed Lamb Guard of Honour with Quick Mint Gravy
Lamb racks are typically sold with 8 bones, so we’ve kept them whole (rather than trimming to 2 x 6 bone racks). So some lucky guests will get 3 cutlets each.
Recipe: Crumbed Lamb Guard of Honour with Quick Mint Gravy
Fennel Gratin
If cooking for vegetarians, replace the Gruyère with Jarlsberg or a suitable comté and use vegetable stock.
Recipe: Fennel Gratin
Roasted Onion and Sage Yorkshire Pudding
A classic accompaniment to any roast, and the onion and sage complement the lamb beautifully.
Recipe: Roasted Onion and Sage Yorkshire Pudding
Twice Baked Spinach and Goat’s Cheese Soufflés
This tasty vegetarian main can easily be doubled. Make sure you use a baking dish that’s just big enough to fit the soufflés without them touching and check your goat’s cheese is vegetarian, if needed.
Recipe: Twice Baked Spinach and Goat’s Cheese Soufflés
Individual Chocolate Ripple Pavlovas
Frangelico is a wonderful hazelnut liqueur, but you can use Amaretto, Cointreau, Kahlúa or even Baileys if you like (or replace the booze with 1tsp vanilla bean paste).
Recipe: Individual Chocolate Ripple Pavlovas
Roasted Spring Vegetables
Look for seasonal Jersey Royals – their nuttiness and firm texture are ideal in this Easter recipe.
Recipe: Roasted Spring Vegetables
Egg and bacon biscuits
Who wouldn’t want breakfast at teatime?! Amuse your guests with these sweet egg and bacon biscuits.
Recipe: Egg and bacon biscuits
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