
12 Of Grandma’s Favorite Easter Desserts
Once the Easter meal is over, Grandma knows it’s time to break out the desserts. And of course, there will be more than one on the table. Just like Grandma’s kitchen, these classic Easter desserts are filled with plenty of nostalgia (and sugar!). Since Easter often marks the beginning of spring, you’ll see the best flavors of the season represented in Grandma’s favorite dessert recipes to mark the occasion.
From cakes to pies to cookies and more, these are Grandma’s favorite dessert recipes to enjoy on Easter Sunday.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Requiring no special pan, this festive cake is loved by both kids and adults. The grandkids can even help Grandma decorate the bunny once it’s iced.
Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
These classic Birds Nest Cookies come together with just four ingredients and don’t actually require any baking. You can swap out the peanut butter chips for butterscotch, caramel, or other flavored chips if preferred.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you think fruit doesn’t belong in a cake, think again. This classic cake with pineapple and bananas in the layers is not only loved by Grandma but also by Southern Living readers as it’s our most popular cake recipe of all time.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
Not only are Resurrection rolls a delicious sweet treat to enjoy on Easter Sunday, but they also serve another reason. They also teach the grandkids about the real meaning of Easter.
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
Pineapple and coconut are a classic duo and Grandma knows it’s best served in cake form. And of course it’s finished off with a decadent cream cheese frosting.
As the name implies, this cool dessert is a true delight. Not only is it delightful to eat, but it’s just as delightful to make because it comes together easily.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
It’s not Easter without carrot cake, and Grandma knows that this is the best recipe that she relies on year after year.
While Grandma probably makes the crust from scratch, you can use a store-bought one to help this no-bake pie come together even easier.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
When Grandma serves up a layered dessert in a 13- x 9-inch pan, you know it’s going to be good and this Lemon Lush is no exception. The color is nice and springy, too.
The Easter menu isn’t complete without at least one layer cake and at least one dessert that features egg-shaped malted milk balls. Luckily, this cake checks both boxes.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
While Grandma’s meringue pies may almost look too pretty not to eat, they’re also too delicious not to.
Photo: Hector Sanchez
It’s easy to see why Grandma likes serving this pretty pink cake for Easter. Since it’s a sheet cake, it easily feeds a crowd and it showcases beautiful spring strawberries.