Top 10 showstopping Easter bakes

1) Triple chocolate & peanut butter layer cake

Calling all chocolaholics – this triple chocolate & peanut butter layer cake is for you. To get ahead of the Easter rush, you can prepare the chocolate sponge up to eight weeks in advance if kept frozen and wrapped well. Then cover with a creamy chocolate peanut butter icing. Add a generous drizzle of dark chocolate ganache and shards of pretzel bark. Add different-sized chocolate eggs, gold lustre, toffee popcorn and pretzels for decoration.

Find more classic cakes and rich tortes with our chocolate cake recipes.

2) Carrot patch cake

What says Easter more than carrot cake? This carrot patch cake is an easy loaf cake, perfect for an afternoon tea or mid-morning treat. It’s full of grated carrot, raisins or sultanas, finely chopped pistachios and delicately spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Ice with a tart cream cheese frosting and decorate with marizpan carrots.

Use up a glut of carrots with our carrot cake recipes.

3) Easter egg brownies

Try these fully loaded Easter egg brownies for an extra-special dessert. Top off a batch of rich dark chocolate brownies with a mix of small Easter eggs and cream-filled eggs. Kids will love experimenting with loads of colour and fun toppings. They’re also a great way to use up any extra Easter chocolate.

Find more ideas in our brownie collection.

4) Duck egg sponge cake

Finish off your Easter lunch with this gorgeous duck egg sponge cake. Using duck eggs keeps the delicate vanilla sponge extra light and fluffy. Add a touch of blue food colouring to the buttercream frosting for a dreamy pastel result. Finish up with a sprinkling of cocoa powder and a selection of small Easter eggs.

Whip up another bake with our sponge cake recipes.

5) Easter nest cake

While this Easter nest cake is certainly a showstopper, it’s deceptively easy. Start with the chocolate sponges, then leave to fully cool. Make the chocolate nest by melting marshmallows and butter in the microwave, then mixing with cocoa, pretzels and shredded wheat. Make a chocolate icing, then assemble the layers. Kids will love filling the nest on top with their favourite Easter treats.

Find more inspiration with our easy cake recipes.

6) Easter egg cookies

Give classic chocolate chip cookies a makeover with these springy Easter egg cookies. They’re packed full of white chocolate, dark chocolate and crushed chocolate eggs. To plan ahead, you can freeze the dough for up to three months before you’re ready to bake. Try swapping the eggs for chopped orange chocolate and orange zest. For choconana cookies, use broken banana chips. And for toffee pecan cookies, swap white choc chips for toffee pieces, and chocolate eggs for chopped pecans.

Bake another dozen with our cookie recipes.

7) Hot cross cinnamon buns

Switch up your hot cross buns with this luxurious breakfast bake. Our hot cross cinnamon buns are loaded with lemon zest and fruit, rolled with brown sugar and cinnamon, then coated in rich cream cheese icing. Try soaking the fruit in orange juice or booze overnight for extra plump and juicy fruit. Use extra spices like ground cardamom, mixed spice or ground cloves for spicier buns.

Find more ideas with our hot cross bun recipes.

8) Double chocolate Easter egg cheesecake

Serve this double chocolate Easter egg cheesecake on Easter Sunday for a dessert that’s sure to please a crowd. Use chocolate bourbon biscuits as a crunchy base. Flavour the filling with milk chocolate, strong black coffee and a vanilla pod. Decorate the cake dollops of whipped cream and tart passion fruit curd, and top with creme eggs.

Discover more springtime treats with our Easter cheesecake recipes.

9) Little carrot cakes with orange & honey syrup

Make these delicate carrot cakes with orange & honey syrup for a batch of gorgeous cupcakes. First, bake the sponges – made with grated carrot, orange zest and mixed spice. Then simmer runny honey and fresh orange juice in a pan to make a syrup to spoon over the cakes. Cover the cakes with a mascarpone icing and finish with beautiful edible flowers.

See more ideas with our Easter cupcake recipes.

10) Meringue nest cheesecake with mini eggs

Assemble this easy meringue nest cheesecake with mini eggs in under 15 minutes, with no baking required. Blitz chocolate digestives in a food processor for a simple base, then fill with a mixture of cream cheese, condensed milk and lemon juice. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight, then top with the meringue nests. Fill the nests with mini eggs, toasted coconut flakes or white chocolate curls, and hundreds and thousands.

Find more easy cakes in our no-bake cheesecake collection.

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What are you baking this Easter? Let us know in the comments...