Hosting Easter this year? Heading somewhere for dinner and need to bring something? I’ve got you covered. Here are some Easter recipes that’ll make a memorable meal.
Ham is traditionally the centerpiece of Easter dinner. If you’ve ever wondered why you can read why here. Annette W. (Lincoln, NE) shared her divine Ham With Peachy Brown Sugar Dijon Glaze that’ll be delicious on any table.
“I came up with this recipe when I found out my mother-in-law was making ham loaf for Easter and was in charge of cooking for 11,” reveals Annette. “Let’s just say from experience I knew we’d need more food than what would be prepared and what is Easter without a real ham?”
While a ham loaf is great, when cooking for a larger crowd a baked ham is a necessity. Pineapple is typically used in baked ham recipes so peach adds an unusual flavor profile. The combination of peach preserves, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and juice is a delicious glaze with the savory ham.
Creamy au gratin potatoes are a must on my dinner table and I’ve fallen in love with Christina Dicken’s (Mayfield, KY) Sassy & Savory Au Gratin Potatoes. When tested in the kitchen, we literally wanted to lick the plate they were so good.
“Just added a twist to a classic comfort favorite side dish,” shares Christina. “Flavorful, hot and melty with a smidgen of WOW!” The cheese sauce has plenty of seasoning and even has a little kick to liven up the potatoes. I also loved the flavor the fresh onions gives the dish – an extra punch of flavor.
Since the Easter bunny loves carrots, I always add them to my menu. Debbie Lopez’s Honey Roasted Carrots are a very easy holiday side dish.
The carrots are sweet and buttery with a slightly spicy undertone from cayenne pepper. The hardest part of this recipe is washing the baby carrots prior to tossing in the honey butter sauce.
Another really simple carrot recipe is Vivian Queen-Chase (Benton, AR) Carrot Croquettes. It’s an ingenious way to prepare carrots.
There’s a nice crunch from the outer fried section of the croquettes and then a sweet warm bite from the middle. These are best served right after they’re made. I’d suggest prepping the croquettes and frying right before the meal is served.
“I’ve been making this recipe for 23 years ever since my mother-in-law gave it to me and she’s been making it for decades longer,” says Melody U. (Jackson, MI) about her Nanner Rolls recipe. “I’ve not found one the family likes better.”
Homemade rolls are a great addition to any meal and these are fluffy, soft, and cooked to perfection. They’ll become your go-to rolls.
Easy to make, the hardest part is waiting for the dough to rise. Once baked, add a pat of butter to the airy center, take a bite and you’ll be in heaven.
Aneisha DeArman’s (Washington, DC) Best Carrot Cake is moist and dense with fruity little gems in every bite. A delicious ending to Easter dinner.
Adding crushed pineapple is a lovely addition to the carrot cake. The cream cheese frosting is silky smooth and tangy. A bit of pineapple juice gives the frosting a delicious hint of pineapple flavor. This is definitely not your grandma’s carrot cake!
If looking for a smaller dessert, take a look at Chris T’s (East Hampton, NY) Ricotta Cookies for Easter. “This is a soft Italian-style cookie,” explains Chris. “I have had this recipe for many years and I like to make it for Easter because I can do pastel glazes on them.”
Delicately sweet and soft, these cookies are scrumptious. Ricotta makes these cake-like cookies extremely moist. The flavors are subtle in the cookie but, as Chris suggests, additional extracts can be used in the cookie and/or the glaze. Almond or lemon would be perfect for spring.
Hopefully, these recipes will take a little bit of stress out of preparing an Easter meal. Is there a recipe always on your table? Share a link to it below. Happy Pinching!