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Tag: Easter entertaining

  • Easter Baking Ideas Beyond Hot Cross Buns

    Easter Baking Ideas Beyond Hot Cross Buns

    Hot cross buns are a given at Easter…and they’re lovely! There are such a huge range of flavours available these days, but sometimes it’s nice to think a little outside of the box (within the Easter realms). If you’re hosting, or simply want something a little more memorable, it’s nice to have a few Easter baking ideas that feel unmistakably seasonal without being overly themed.

    Chocolate…marzipan…a little nostalgia (and a little tradition).

    These three recipes strike that balance. They work beautifully on a relaxed spring table, like the one I shared in my Easter table setting ideas, and pair naturally with my alternative Easter lunch ideas if you’re planning the full day.

    We’ll make:

    • Mini Egg brownie squares
    • No bake Creme Egg cheesecake
    • A lighter simnel cake with toasted marzipan

    All clearly Easter, just done with a bit of restraint!

    Choosing the Right Dessert from These Easter Baking Ideas

    Let’s be honest, as much as I could eat all three, you don’t really need them. So which one should you go for?

    If you’re hosting a larger lunch, the Creme Egg cheesecake makes a generous centrepiece.

    Keeping things smaller? The brownies slice easily and work well with coffee.

    Or, if you enjoy something slightly more traditional, the simnel cake brings that unmistakable Easter flavour without feeling heavy or dated.

    Think about:

    • How many people you’re serving
    • How much oven space you have
    • Whether you want something you can make ahead

    Easter baking should add to the day, not complicate it.

    Woman in her 30s sprinkling crushed Mini Eggs onto brownie batter in a square tin in a bright modern kitchen.
    Sprinkling Mini Eggs onto Brownie Batter

    1. Mini Egg Brownie Squares

    Chocolatey, slightly fudgy and topped with crushed Mini Eggs (who doesn’t love Mini Eggs…) for colour and crunch.

    They’re familiar for a reason, and they work!

    Ingredients

    200g dark chocolate
    180g unsalted butter
    250g caster sugar
    3 large eggs
    100g plain flour
    30g cocoa powder
    150g Mini Eggs, roughly crushed

    Equipment

    • Medium saucepan
    • Heatproof bowl
    • Whisk
    • 20cm square baking tin – a sturdy square brownie tin helps you get clean, even slices
    • Baking parchment
    • Spatula – a silicone spatula makes folding the mixture easier without overmixing
    • Cooling rack

    Method

    1. Preheat oven to 180°C fan.
    2. Melt chocolate and butter together in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until smooth.
    3. Remove from heat and whisk in sugar.
    4. Add eggs one at a time, whisking until glossy (make sure the mixture has cooled sufficiently before you do this!)
    5. Fold in flour and cocoa gently.
    6. Pour into lined tin and scatter crushed Mini Eggs over the top.
    7. Bake 25–30 minutes until set at the edges but slightly soft in the centre.
    8. Cool fully before slicing.

    Serve on a large wooden serving board for a relaxed feel – this works really well for casual Easter desserts.

    2. No Bake Creme Egg Cheesecake (my favourite of these Easter baking ideas!)

    The minute Creme Eggs arrive in the shop, you know that Easter is on its way! (for me, that’s usually the minute Christmas is over)

    This dessert is unmistakably Easter. Rich chocolate base, creamy filling, and halved Creme Eggs pressed gently into the top.

    Indulgent, yes. But styled simply, it feels grown up rather than novelty.

    Ingredients

    For the base:
    200g digestive biscuits
    100g unsalted butter, melted

    For the filling:
    300g full fat cream cheese
    100g icing sugar
    1 tsp vanilla extract
    300ml double cream
    6 Creme Eggs, chopped

    To decorate:
    3 to 4 Creme Eggs, halved

    Equipment

    Method

    1. Crush biscuits into fine crumbs and mix with melted butter.
    2. Press firmly into lined tin and chill 30 minutes.
    3. Beat cream cheese, icing sugar and vanilla until smooth.
    4. Whip cream separately until soft peaks form.
    5. Fold cream into cream cheese mixture.
    6. Stir through chopped Creme Eggs.
    7. Spoon onto chilled base and smooth.
    8. Chill at least 4 hours or overnight.
    9. Decorate with halved Creme Eggs before serving.

    Serve on a simple glass cake stand to let the colours stand out – this clear glass cake stand elevates even a no bake dessert.

    Woman serving slice of Creme Egg cheesecake with biscuit base to her friend at pastel Easter table in natural daylight.
    A relaxed Easter dessert moment sharing Creme Egg cheesecake at a pastel spring table.

    3. Lighter Simnel Cake with Toasted Marzipan

    Simnel cake is traditional Easter baking, and comes steeped in tradition. But, it doesn’t need to be dense or overly decorated.

    This version keeps the almond flavour and marzipan layer, but feels lighter.

    Ingredients

    200g unsalted butter
    180g light brown sugar
    3 large eggs
    200g self raising flour
    100g ground almonds
    1 tsp baking powder
    1 tsp mixed spice
    150g mixed dried fruit
    Zest of 1 orange
    200g marzipan

    Equipment

    • 20cm round cake tin
    • Electric mixer
    • Spatula
    • Rolling pin
    • Pastry brush – this makes glazing the top much neater

    Method

    1. Preheat oven to 170°C fan.
    2. Cream butter and sugar until pale.
    3. Beat in eggs gradually.
    4. Fold in flour, ground almonds, baking powder and spice.
    5. Stir in fruit and orange zest.
    6. Spoon half into lined tin.
    7. Roll out half marzipan and lay over batter.
    8. Add remaining mixture and smooth.
    9. Bake 60–75 minutes until golden.
    10. Cool, brush with apricot jam and top with thin marzipan circle.
    11. Lightly toast under grill until just golden.

    If you’re a minimalist, keep decoration low key. But if you love marzipan and want to pay respect to tradition, then go all out with a few marzipan balls!

    Couple in their 40s glazing marzipan topped simnel cake in a bright home kitchen.
    A relaxed spring baking moment glazing a classic marzipan topped simnel cake in natural daylight.

    Make Ahead and Storage for These Easter Baking Ideas

    All three of these Easter baking ideas can be prepared in advance:

    • Brownies – These keep well for two days in an airtight container.
    • Cheesecake –The cheesecake benefits from being made the day before and kept chilled.
    • Simnel cake – This keeps for several days wrapped tightly, making it ideal if you want to bake earlier in the week.

    Planning ahead leaves you free to focus on your table and guests.

    Easter Baking Ideas: Frequently Asked Questions

    What are traditional Easter baking ideas?

    Traditional Easter baking includes simnel cake, hot cross buns and marzipan topped fruit cakes. Modern variations often include chocolate egg based desserts.

    Can I make Easter desserts ahead of time?

    Yes. Cheesecakes and brownies are ideal for preparing the day before. Simnel cake can be baked several days in advance.

    What makes a bake feel Easter themed?

    Chocolate eggs, marzipan, spring flavours and subtle pastel decoration all signal Easter without needing heavy themed decorations.

    Easter Baking Ideas That Feels Seasonal, Not Overdone

    The best Easter baking ideas feel recognisable but not exaggerated:

    1. A little chocolate nostalgia.
    2. A nod to tradition.
    3. A fresh spring table to sit around.

    You don’t need everything piled high with decorations. Just choose one recipe, bake it properly, and serve it simply!

    If you’re planning the wider celebration, you’ll find everything gathered in my Easter guide.

    And for more relaxed seasonal hosting inspiration throughout the year, explore the Food & Entertaining collection where gatherings are designed to feel manageable rather than overwhelming.

  • Alternative Easter Lunch Ideas: A Relaxed, Seasonal Way to Host

    Alternative Easter Lunch Ideas: A Relaxed, Seasonal Way to Host

    When people search for alternative Easter lunch ideas, it’s usually because they love the idea of hosting… but don’t love the pressure of a full traditional roast. And I completely get that!

    I do love a roast, but I don’t always want to spend the whole morning watching timers and juggling oven shelves. Sometimes I want Easter lunch to feel lighter, slower, and a bit more relaxed.

    If that sounds like you, these alternative Easter lunch ideas are about creating something beautiful and seasonal. They’re designed to feel special without the stress, so you can actually sit down and enjoy it too.

    For a full celebration, pair this with my elegant Easter decor ideas.

    Equipment You’ll Need for Alternative Easter Lunch Ideas

    You don’t need anything complicated for these alternative Easter lunch ideas, but a few good basics make everything feel easier and more polished.

    • A large wooden serving board
    • Small ceramic dipping bowls
    • A sturdy roasting tray
    • A large ceramic serving platter
    • Wide pasta bowls
    • A 20cm cake tin
    • A simple glass cake stand

    I always think investing in a few timeless pieces makes hosting feel calmer. When you’re not scrambling for the right dish at the last minute, everything flows better.

    Alternative Easter Lunch Ideas: Start With a Sharing-Style Starter

    Alternative easter lunch ideas featuring a spring grazing board with cheeses, smoked salmon, asparagus and sourdough on a wooden serving board in soft daylight.
    Relaxed yet refined spring grazing board styled with cheeses, smoked salmon and seasonal produce in natural light.

    One of my favourite alternative Easter lunch ideas is beginning with a grazing-style board. It instantly feels generous without being formal, and it sets the tone for a relaxed afternoon.

    Rather than just placing random bits on a board, I follow a simple formula.

    Spring Grazing Board Formula

    • 1 soft cheese such as brie or goat’s cheese
    • 1 hard cheese
    • Smoked salmon or prosciutto
    • Crusty sourdough
    • Fresh fruit such as grapes or figs
    • Lightly blanched asparagus
    • A handful of nuts
    • Good olive oil and sea salt

    Blanch the asparagus for two minutes, then toss with lemon zest and olive oil before adding it to the board. That small step makes it feel intentionally spring-like rather than thrown together.

    A large wooden serving board works beautifully here, especially if you want everything to feel abundant and relaxed. I also like using small ceramic dipping bowls for olive oil and nuts so everything feels considered rather than cluttered.

    I actually think sharing-style starters feel warmer than formal plated ones. There’s something about everyone reaching in that just sets the mood.

    A Main That Isn’t a Roast

    Golden roasted lemon herb chicken traybake with asparagus and baby potatoes in a ceramic dish on a spring table.
    Golden roasted chicken with lemon, asparagus and baby potatoes styled for a relaxed spring lunch.

    If you still want a centrepiece dish, choose something oven-friendly and forgiving.

    This lemon and herb chicken traybake is one of my go-to alternative Easter lunch ideas because it looks impressive but doesn’t demand constant attention.

    Lemon & Herb Spring Chicken Traybake

    Ingredients

    • 6 chicken thighs, skin on
    • 500g baby potatoes
    • 1 bunch asparagus
    • 1 lemon, sliced
    • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • Fresh thyme
    • Salt and black pepper

    Method

    1. Preheat oven to 200°C (fan 180°C).
    2. Toss potatoes with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a roasting tray.
    3. Nestle chicken on top, scatter over lemon slices and thyme.
    4. Roast for 35 minutes.
    5. Add asparagus for the final 10 to 12 minutes.
    6. Rest briefly before serving.

    Transfer everything to a large ceramic serving platter and let people help themselves. Soft neutral linen napkins instantly make the table feel more elevated without any extra effort.

    I’ve realised I enjoy hosting so much more when I’m not watching the clock every five minutes! If the food can sit happily for a while, so can I.

    Alternative Easter Lunch Ideas: A Lighter Option That Still Feels Special

    Smoked salmon and dill pasta served in a ceramic bowl on a linen napkin in soft natural daylight.
    Elegant smoked salmon and dill pasta styled in natural light for a relaxed Easter lunch table.

    If chicken still feels too heavy, this smoked salmon and dill pasta is another beautiful alternative Easter lunch idea.

    It’s fresh. It’s spring-like. And it feels far more impressive than the effort involved!

    Smoked Salmon & Dill Pasta

    Ingredients

    • 300g linguine or tagliatelle
    • 200g smoked salmon
    • 150ml crème fraîche
    • Zest of 1 lemon
    • Small bunch fresh dill
    • Black pepper

    Method

    1. Cook pasta according to packet instructions.
    2. Reserve a splash of pasta water before draining.
    3. Stir crème fraîche, lemon zest and chopped dill together.
    4. Toss through hot pasta with a little reserved water.
    5. Gently fold through smoked salmon.
    6. Finish with black pepper.

    Wide ceramic pasta bowls make even a simple dish feel restaurant-level, and a fine microplane grater is worth having for fresh lemon zest.

    A Little Bit of Cliché (Because It’s Easter!)

    Carrot cake on a glass cake stand with pastel chocolate eggs and spring flowers in soft natural daylight.
    Classic carrot cake styled on a glass stand with pastel chocolate eggs for relaxed Easter dessert inspiration.

    Even when you’re leaning into alternative Easter lunch ideas, I still think you need one nostalgic moment.

    For me, Easter without carrot cake just feels slightly wrong. Yes, it’s predictable….Yes, everyone does one. But some clichés are worth keeping!

    Classic Easter Carrot Cake

    This version is soft, lightly spiced and not overly sweet. It feels traditional without being heavy.

    Ingredients

    For the cake

    • 200g self-raising flour
    • 1 tsp baking powder
    • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
    • ½ tsp mixed spice
    • 150g light brown sugar
    • 150ml sunflower oil
    • 3 large eggs
    • 200g grated carrot
    • 50g chopped walnuts (optional)
    • Zest of 1 orange

    For the cream cheese icing

    • 200g full-fat cream cheese (room temperature)
    • 100g unsalted butter (very soft)
    • 250g icing sugar, sifted
    • Zest of ½ orange
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

    Method

    1. Preheat oven to 180°C (fan 160°C). Grease and line a 20cm round cake tin.
    2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and mixed spice.
    3. In a separate bowl, whisk the sugar, oil and eggs until smooth.
    4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently, then stir through the grated carrot, orange zest and walnuts if using.
    5. Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
    6. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before icing.

    Cream Cheese Icing

    This is where carrot cake becomes Easter carrot cake.

    1. Beat the butter until very soft and smooth.
    2. Add icing sugar gradually and beat until pale and fluffy.
    3. Add cream cheese, orange zest and vanilla, then beat briefly until just combined.

    Do not overmix once the cream cheese goes in or it can loosen too much.

    Spread generously over the cooled cake.

    How to Decorate It (Without Going Overboard)

    You don’t need piped carrots or fondant rabbits.

    Keep it simple and seasonal.

    Here are a few elegant options:

    • A light scattering of chopped walnuts around the edge
    • A dusting of cinnamon
    • A few edible dried flowers
    • Mini chocolate eggs grouped in the centre
    • A soft nest of pastel eggs for a subtle nod to Easter

    Place it on a simple glass cake stand and use a classic cake serving knife for a polished finish.

    I like to keep the decoration (somewhat) restrained. Just enough to say “it’s Easter”… but not so much that it feels novelty.

    How to Build the Full Menu of Alternative Easter Lunch Ideas

    Starter
    Spring grazing board (see above)

    Main
    Lemon and herb chicken traybake or smoked salmon pasta (see above)

    Side
    Simple green salad with lemon dressing

    Dessert
    Carrot cake (see above)

    Drink
    Elderflower spritz or chilled rosé

    You don’t need ten dishes. You just need enough to make it feel considered.

    How to Make Your Alternative Easter Lunch Ideas Feel Effortless

    • Lay the table the night before.
    • Choose dishes that can sit at room temperature.
    • Prep dessert in advance.
    • Light candles, even during the day.
    • Don’t overcomplicate it.

    Some of the best alternative Easter lunch ideas are the simplest ones.

    You could also send guests home with something from my thoughtful Easter gift ideas.

    Explore More Easter Inspiration

    If you’re planning the wider celebration, you’ll find all my seasonal decor, hosting and gifting ideas gathered together on the Easter guide page.

    And if you enjoy thoughtful entertaining throughout the year, the food and entertaining section shares more relaxed, seasonal ideas designed to feel beautiful without being overwhelming.

    Relaxed hosting is your thing? Then you’ll also like my Mother’s Day menu you can prep ahead.