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Make Ahead Easter Recipes

Robyn Stone

Published Mar 21, 2025

These easy Make-Ahead Easter Recipes help you plan a delicious and stress-free Easter with recipes for brunch, dinner, and dessert! Celebrate with the recipes my family enjoys year after year on Easter Sunday that can easily be made in advance. You’ll find more Easter recipe ideas on my Easter category page.

Photograph of cooked ham on a white platter. - 1

Make-Ahead Easter Tips!

  1. Plan your menu . Start by planning a menu that includes items that can easily be made beforehand. Some great make-ahead dishes include ham, casseroles, vegetables, sauces, gravies, and desserts!
  2. Shop early. Purchase whatever items you can before the last-minute rush hits the stores. I like to purchase non-perishable items up to a month in advance and then any perishables, like fresh fruits and vegetables, closer to when I make that dish.
  3. Make a schedule. I have a schedule for preparing my holiday meals, which begins days before the holiday and ends when the meal is served.

Make Ahead Easter Dinner Recipes

Baked Ham

Cola Glazed Ham with garnish on a white tray. - 2

Take the stress out of the holiday by using my tips for making your ham ahead of time. It is perfect every time and so easy to make. It’s a recipe I turn to year after year!

Photograph of cooked ham on a white platter. - 3

Best Baked Ham Recipe

Additional Main Dish Recipes:

  • Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe
  • Smoked Turkey
  • Easy Roast Turkey Recipe
  • Roast Chicken Recipe

Make Ahead Easter Side Dishes

While the ham may get lots of attention, the side dishes are really the favorites! And the desserts (of course!).

Mashed Potatoes

Photo of mashed potatoes in a Dutch oven with wooden spoon on white background. - 4

These creamy, delicious mashed potatoes make the perfect side dish for every holiday!

Creamy golden mashed potatoes topped with butter, salt and pepper in a white Dutch oven. - 5

Easy Mashed Potatoes Recipe

More Potato Recipes:

  • Potato Salad
  • Scalloped Potatoes
  • Hashbrown Casserole

Slow Cooker Green Beans

Photo of green beans topped with bacon in slow cooker. - 6

When I serve these delicious green beans, they are always a favorite. Simply add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker and let it do all of the work. How easy is that?

Slow Cooker Green Beans Recipe - These are the best slow cooker green beans and have everyone coming back for more! // addapinch.com - 7

Slow Cooker Green Beans Recipe

More Green Bean Recipes:

  • Blistered Green Beans
  • Green Beans
  • Green Bean Casserole

Squash Casserole

Photo of squash casserole on blue plate. - 8

Squash casserole is so easy to make ahead and makes a favorite side dish!

Make Ahead Easter Recipes - 9

Squash Casserole Recipe

More Squash Recipes:

  • Oven Roasted Squash
  • Air Fryer Squash
  • Sauteed Squash

Garlic Roasted Carrots

Photo of Garlic Roasted Carrots on gray background. - 10

These carrots are such an easy and beautiful side dish.

Garlic Roasted Carrots Recipe - Garlic Roasted Carrots recipe make a quick, easy and delicious carrot recipe! The perfect side dish for easy weeknights as well as when entertaining! // addapinch.com - 11

Garlic Roasted Carrots Recipe

More Roasted Vegetables:

  • Roasted Vegetables
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • Garlic Butter Roasted Asparagus

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Photo of strawberry spinach salad with spinach, strawberries, onion and pecans in white bowl. - 12

A fresh salad is a great idea to include. This Strawberry Spinach Salad is always a fresh favorite for Easter.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe - Strawberry Spinach Salad topped with an easy Poppy Seed Dressing makes for a beautiful and delicious spring and summer salad recipe. Perfect for parties, picnics, and get-togethers! Always a crowd favorite. - 13

Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

More Salad Recipes:

  • Broccoli Salad
  • Wedge Salad
  • House Salad

Deviled Eggs

Closeup photograph of deviled eggs sprinkled with black pepper on a white platter. - 14

An Easter dinner at my house wouldn’t be complete without a platter of deviled eggs!

Deviled eggs make the perfect appetizer or side dish for family meals, parties, holidays, potlucks, picnics and more. This simple and classic deviled eggs recipe is a family favorite! // addapinch.com - 15

Classic Deviled Eggs

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Strawberry topping over a creamy cheesecake style filling and a pretzel crust is lifted with a fork from a white plate. - 16

This favorite recipe falls somewhere between dessert and a side dish in my family.

Plate with piece of strawberry pretzel salad cut with a fork. - 17

Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

Other Fruit Side Dishes:

  • Pear Salad
  • Fruit Salad
  • Honey Lime Fruit Salad

Dinner Rolls

Baked dinner rolls brushed with butter and sprinkled with salt. - 18

Dinner rolls have always been a favorite part of my family’s holiday meals.

Photo of buttery dinner rolls in a white baking dish on a marble counter. - 19

Dinner Rolls Recipe

Other Bread Recipes:

  • Sally Lunn Bread
  • Challah Bread
  • Three Ingredient Biscuits

Make Ahead Easter Dessert Recipes

Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake recipe topped with cream cheese frosting and pecans on a clear glass cake stand. - 20

This moist, delicious cake has become a family favorite for Easter.

Carrot Cake recipe topped with cream cheese frosting, pecans on a clear glass cake stand. - 21

The Best Carrot Cake Recipe Ever

Carrot Cake Sheet Cake

Bite of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. - 22

This sheet cake is great for when you want to make a carrot cake that is a bit simpler than a layer cake.

Easy Carrot Cake Sheet Cake Recipe - This Easy Carrot Cake Sheet Cake recipe comes together easily and bakes into a beautiful, delicious carrot cake! Topped with a fluffy cream cheese frosting, this carrot cake is one everyone asks for the recipe! // addapinch.com - 23

Easy Carrot Cake Sheet Cake Recipe

Other Classic Cake Recipes:

  • Best Chocolate Cake
  • Best White Cake
  • Grandmother Verdie’s Strawberry Cake

Hummingbird Cake

Photo of Hummingbird Cake ion a pewter cake plate, topped with a cream cheese frosting. - 24

This moist, flavorful cake has been a family favorite for generations and is one my Grandmother made for Easter and other special occasions.

Hummingbird Cake Recipe | ©addapinch.com - 25

Hummingbird Cake Recipe

Other Fruit Cake Recipes:

  • Morning Glory Cake
  • Pineapple Upside Down Cake
  • Strawberry Shortcake

Ultimate Coconut Cake

Photo of coconut cake in white dish. - 26

What could be better for Easter than this scrumptious coconut cake?

Make Ahead Easter Recipes - 27

Ultimate Coconut Cake Recipe

Other Coconut Dessert Recipes:

  • Southern Coconut Cake
  • Coconut Lime Cheesecake Bars
  • Coconut Macaroons

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Slice of cream cheese pound cake with dollop of homemade whipped cream and red strawberry on a white dessert plate. - 28

It’s always a family favorite anytime, but especially for Easter dessert.

Slice of cream cheese pound cake with dollop of homemade whipped cream and red strawberry on a white dessert plate. - 29

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Other Pound Cake Recipes:

  • Chocolate Pound Cake
  • Lemon Pound Cake
  • Classic Pound Cake

Key Lime Pie

Photo of Key Lime Pie with whipped cream and lime wedges on a white pie plate. - 30

This classic pie has just the right flavor for a springtime or Easter meal.

Key Lime Pie Recipe - Key Lime Pie makes a classic, refreshing dessert recipe. Made of simple ingredients, this updated key lime pie recipe comes together quickly and chills to a light and airy consistency for an elegant dessert. - 31

Key Lime Pie Recipe

Other Lemon/Lime Dessert Recipes:

  • Key Lime Shortbread Bars
  • No Bake Lemon Cream Pie
  • Lemon Bars
  • Bruleed Lemon Tart

Coconut Cream Pie

Photo of coconut cream pie with toasted coconut topping with fork on a blue plate. - 32

This pie has been a generational favorite in my family.

Make Ahead Easter Recipes - 33

Coconut Cream Pie Recipe

Other Pie Recipes:

  • Strawberry Pie
  • Easy Cheesecake Pie
  • Easy Peach Cobbler
  • Peanut Butter Pie

Banana Pudding

Photo of banana pudding with meringue topping on a white background. - 34

This is the one you think of when you want the best Southern banana pudding! My family has loved this for Easter and family suppers for generations.

Southern Banana Pudding Recipe - An heirloom family recipe for banana pudding that is a classic, Southern dessert. Creamy, traditional banana pudding topped with airy meringue. // addapinch.com - 35

Southern Banana Pudding Recipe

Other Dessert Recipes:

  • Strawberry Cobbler
  • Southern Ambrosia
  • Blueberry Cobbler

Chewy Sugar Cookies

Photo of a stack of three sugar cookies on a dark background. - 36

When I serve sugar cookies, they are a hit with both the kids and the adults.

Photo of a stack of three sugar cookies on a dark background. - 37

The BEST Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe!

  • Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Key Lime Shortbread Cookies
  • Southern Tea Cakes

Peanut Butter Bars

Photo of a stack of three peanut butter bars with a layer of peanut butter filling topped with a layer of chocolate on a dark background. - 38

What is it about Peanut Butter Bars that make the world just feel right?

Photo of a stack of three peanut butter bars with a layer of peanut butter filling topped with a layer of chocolate on a dark background. - 39

Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

  • Peanut Butter Cookies
  • Cut Out Sugar Cookies
  • Salted Caramel Bars

Make Ahead Easter Brunch Recipes

French Toast

Photograph of French toast on a white plate with maple syrup and a bowl of fruit in the background. - 40

There’s something special about this rich and delicious French Toast drizzled with warm maple syrup, whether you are serving two or a crowd!

Make Ahead Easter Recipes - 41

Best French Toast Recipe

Other Toast/Waffle/Pancake Recipes:

  • Baked Blueberry French Toast
  • Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast
  • Buttermilk Waffles
  • Buttermilk Pancakes
  • Chocolate Chip Waffles
  • Dutch Baby Pancakes

Breakfast Casserole

Photo of breakfast casserole with sprinkles of green onion with egg and sausage. - 42

The breakfast casserole recipe is a family favorite. It is filled with eggs, sausage, cheese, and tender buttermilk biscuits.

Breakfast casserole in a glass pan. - 43

Easy Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Other Breakfast Casseroles:

  • Spinach Bacon and Mushroom Casserole
  • Baked Cheese Grits Casserole
  • Ham and Cheese Croissant Casserole

Southern Sausage Cheddar Quiche

Photo of sausage cheddar quiche with pastry crust and fork with bite of quiche on white plate. - 44

This delicious, savory Southern Sausage Cheddar Quiche makes a perfect entree for a holiday brunch!

Photo of sausage cheddar quiche with pastry crust and fork with bite of quiche on white plate. - 45

Southern Sausage Cheddar Quiche Recipe

Other Quiche Recipes:

  • Mini Quiche
  • Bacon and Mushroom Quiche
  • Ham and Gruyere Crustless Quiche
  • Crustless Quiche with Sundried Tomatoes and Spinach

Breakfast Potatoes

Photograph of Breakfast Potatoes in a blue bowl. - 46

Breakfast Potatoes take a breakfast or brunch menu to the next level.

Make Ahead Easter Recipes - 47

Breakfast Potatoes Recipe

Other Brunch Recipes:

  • Easy Eggs Benedict
  • Ham Frittata
  • Bacon Egg Cups

Angel Biscuits

Angel Biscuits with golden brown tops are stacked on a white plate. - 48

Made from simple ingredients, these angel biscuits have gone from being a quick bread that accompanies a meal to being the most favored item on the buffet on many occasions.

Make Ahead Easter Recipes - 49

Angel Biscuits Recipe

Other Biscuit Recipes:

  • Three Ingredient Biscuit
  • Sweet Potato Biscuit
  • Two Ingredient Cream Biscuit

Blueberry Muffins

Picture of blueberry muffins on white plate. - 50

Blueberry Muffins are one of my family’s favorite muffin recipes and are perfect for an Easter brunch!

Blueberry Muffins on white platter - 51

Blueberry Muffins Recipe

Other Muffin Recipes:

  • Cranberry Orange Muffins
  • Chocolate Chip Muffins
  • Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Oven Baked Bacon

Photo of crispy bacon on a white plate. - 52

No brunch would be complete without crispy bacon.

Photo of bacon on a white plate. - 53

How to Cook Bacon Recipe

Other Brunch Meat Recipes:

  • Sausage Cheddar Biscuit Bites
  • Sweet Potato Hash
  • Sausage Balls

Citrus Scones

Photo of citrus scones topped with orange glaze on a white plate. - 54

These bright and fresh scones are so full of flavor and are so easy to make.

Make Ahead Easter Recipes - 55

Citrus Scones Recipe with Orange Glaze

Other Scone Recipes:

  • Lemon Blueberry Scones
  • Cranberry Orange Scones
  • Cream Scones

Fruit Pizza

Fruit pizza on a marble surface surrounded by bowls of blueberries, strawberries, and cream cheese frosting. - 56

This fruit pizza recipe is so fun and easy to make. It’s perfect for serving any time of the year, especially at Easter.

Photo of fruit pizza with a slice for serving. - 57

Fruit Pizza Recipe

Other Fruit Brunch Recipes:

  • Mini Fruit Pizzas
  • Bruleed Grapefruit
  • Southern Fried Apples

Rice Krispie Treats

Rice cereal treats stacked on a white cake plate along with one on the marble surface. - 58

Rice Krispie Treats are a favorite, quick, and easy snack or dessert I know my family and friends will love.

Stack of rice krispie treats on a white platter. - 59

Best Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Other Brunch Dessert Recipes:

  • Banana Bread
  • Chocolate Zucchini Bread
  • Peach Bars
  • Blackberry Breakfast Cobbler

Drinks

Lemonade

Photo of a clear pitcher of lemonade with lemon slices and 2 clear glasses of lemonade with lemon slices on a white background. - 60

What better drink for an Easter meal or brunch than a fresh glass of lemonade?

Photo of a clear pitcher of lemonade with lemon slices and 2 clear glasses of lemonade with lemon slices on a white background. - 61

Fresh Lemonade Recipe

Other Lemon/Lime Drink Recipes:

  • Strawberry Lemonade
  • Cherry Limeade
  • Easy Limeade

Southern Sweet Tea

Photo of clear pitcher of tea and two clear glasses filled with tea, ice, and topped with mint leaves with lemon slices and ice cubes on a white background. - 62

No Easter meal is complete at my house without Southern sweet tea!

This Southern Sweet Tea recipe is smooth, sweet, and delicious! It includes tried-and-true tips for how to make sweet tea that everyone loves! // addapinch.com - 63

Southern Sweet Tea Recipe

Other Drink Recipes:

  • Peach Tea
  • Cold Brew Coffee
  • Salted Caramel Mocha

Make Ahead Easter Meal Plan (with Shopping List)

Happy Easter!

Robyn xo