As we hurtle towards Easter, the kitchen once more becomes a hub of creativity and warmth, filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods and most particularly those of a chocolatey persuasion. From hot cross buns that fill the house with fragrant spices to intricately decorated Easter cakes symbolising rebirth and renewal, some confections tell a story of celebration and togetherness; others are simply just an excuse to indulge in a chocoholic’s idea of heaven. Wooden spoons at the ready: it’s time for some of us to break Lent’s sugar ban. For the rest of us, we for one have no quibbles with indulgence for indulgence’s sake.

Classic Hot Cross Buns


Olive Magazine
Hot Cross Buns Copy

No Easter feast – whether breakfast on the day itself or teatime in the general period – is complete without a stack of spiced hot cross buns dripping with melted butter to devour. We were won over by Olive Magazine’s claim that its recipe is ‘foolproof’ (always a draw) – and so it has proved. We can attest to that fact that it really is: easy, excellent and dangerously moreish. Get the recipe.


Crème Scotch Eggs


Jane’s Patisserie
Creme Egg Scotch Eggs!

There is no world in which Cadbury’s Crème Eggs reasonably need to be made any sweeter or indulgent than they already are. But, we’d argue, reason has nothing to do with any of our favourite Easter bakes. Simply encase your crème egg (or indeed any small chocolate egg of your choice) in a classic brownie, cover in sprinkles and serve to your particularly sweet-toothed friends. Or just save them all for yourself: just like the Cadbury’s Crème Eggs, how you eat yours is entirely your own affair. Get the recipe.


Chocolate Mini Egg Cake


Waitrose
Chocolate Mini Egg Cake

What is an Easter celebration without mainlining Mini Eggs? We love Waitrose’s take on that tradition: taking a classic Victoria sponge and topping it with generously scattered helpings of the pastel coloured sweet treats. The perfect thing to serve up with a proper pot of tea on the lawn if the weather is clement; or cosily at the kitchen table if not. Get the recipe.


Simnel Cake


Nigella
SIMNEL CAKE

For traditionalists, there is no substitute for Simnel Cake at Easter – although, as Nigella points out, it was not always thus. She writes, ‘Originally, this cake was made for Mothering Sunday, but it has for a long, long time been an essential Easter confection, the marzipan balls on top representing the apostles: eleven in total as, for understandable reasons, Judas is persona non grata. I make this a very light fruit cake, totally different in taste and texture from the damp, dark offerings of Christmas.’ We think that her classic recipe takes some beating; after all, you can rely on Nigella for all the sweetest things in life. Get the recipe.


Millionaire’s Cheesecake Easter Egg


Waitrose
Millionaire’s Easter Egg Cheesecake

Cheesecake is always a good idea. But why not give yours a stunning Easter twist by serving it up in a milk chocolate egg, and then topping with crunchy mini eggs. Absurdly over the top, sugar coma-inducing stuff – but when it’s once a year, we say why ever not? Get the recipe.


Easter Bundt Cake


Tesco
Easter Bundt Cake Recipe

A good Bundt cake reliably feels celebratory – and that goes double at Easter. Tesco’s winner of a recipe tops the whole affair off with mini eggs (what else?) as well as a classic crunchy chocolate Easter nest. Get the recipe.

By Nancy Alsop
March 2024