For centuries, and still today, Easter food traditions, such as rich, tender spring lamb and cured or smoked ham, marked the end of a Lenten fast โ 40 days before Easter, when people ate smaller and lighter meat-free meals.
Traditions from pre-Christianity, which celebrated the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, found their way into Easter holiday celebrations, and spring flowers, decorated eggs, and bounding bunnies came to symbolize the joy, warmth, and renewal of the Easter season.
Here, we offer dishes with spring’s bounty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and sweet selections for gathering with loved ones over a joyful Easter brunch. From easy-to-prepare yet plentiful egg dishes and nutrient-rich veggie sides to accompany a brunch spread or traditional holiday main course, to treats that satisfy a sweet tooth during one of the sweetest times of the year, these recipes are sure to become mainstays at all your future Easter gatherings.
Easter Eggs
Eggs are associated with rebirth and fertility, and symbolize Easter and spring's renewal. Culinarily speaking, they are versatile and can feed a crowd. For Easter morn, create a beautiful veggie-filledย frittataย โ an open-faced, thick Italian omelet that starts on the stove and finishes in the oven. Save time and order an assortment ofย irresistible quiches. And we love this mushroom, bacon eggย strata, a slow-baked bread and egg casserole. Try aย new cheeseย combination to make even a simple omelet eggs-tra celebratory!
French Toast Bake
Prep this scrumptious French toast bake the night before, and then pop it in the oven for your Easter brunch โ you'll save time and maximize flavor. The base ofย Wolferman's English muffinsย offers the thick texture you crave, but the light crumb is the secret to absorbing the rich milk and egg custard. It puffs up golden and fluffy in the oven for a gorgeous presentation. Top it with whipped cream, fresh berries, andย pure maple syrupย for a sweet start to your Easter feasting.
Ham it up
Easter ham is a tradition to welcome spring, and harkens back to a time when families enjoyed the last preserved meats that gave sustenance through winter. Follow theseย ham cooking tips, and get creative by using one of theseย sweet ham glazesย โ blood orange marmalade and mustard combined for a spicy kick, or sweet apricot and dried fruit for a sweet touch. Or just order a perfectly cooked, hardwood smoked slicedย spiral hamย โ tender, juicy, and delicious, whether served hot or cold.
Rack of Lamb
A crown roast of lamb comprises 16 ribs cut perpendicular to the spine, and, rather than cut them into separate lamb chops, the ribs are left intact in one long row. When trussed โ tied with twine to create a compact crown shape while cooking โ a crown roast makes an impressive Easter centerpiece. The unparalleled, rich lamb flavor of this cut comes from the fact that the rib is served attached to the robustly flavorful loin meat. Pair your roasted lamb with aย cabernet sauvignon. The cassis and black fruit flavors perfectly complement your rich lamb, as well asย chocolate.
Celebratory sides
Culling an array of savory side dishes or sweet spreads for Easter brunch โ such asย jams,ย nut butter, and assortedย fresh fruitย like berries, grapes,ย pears, andย citrusย โ add texture, comfort, and a pop of color to your feast. Reach for delectable spins on familiar classics, such as Gruyรฉre and garlicย mashed potatoesย or black truffle andย almond green beans. And the petite and full-grown spring vegetables fromย The Chef's Garden's "Best of the Season" boxes have endless possibilities for creatingย spring saladsย with eatable flowers orย roasted baby vegetables.
Think outside the basket
Easter basket treats are for kids and grown-ups alike! Create a sweet spread and set outย chocolate-covered cherries,ย yummy cake pops, moistย tea cakes, andย freshly brewed coffeeย to pair with buttery, cheer-filled, spring-themedย Easter cookies.
Ultimate Carrot Cake
We loveย carrotsย eaten out of hand, gently roasted to concentrate their natural sweetness, and, of course, baked into cakes,ย cookies, andย muffins! Theย Ultimate Carrot Cakeย makes the, well, ultimate last bite to your Easter feast, with its moist, tender crumb, warm spices, and just the right balance of earthy-sweet carrots, crunchy walnuts, raisins, and cream cheese frosting.
Pineapple Mimosa
This lightly sweet mimosa made with pineapple andย sparkling wineย is an easy-to-make twist on a classic brunch favorite. And it's a delightful accompaniment to anย Easter brunch spreadย of savory and celebratory offerings. Think rich sun-dried tomato and fetaย quiche,ย smoked salmon, freshย spring mesclun salad, seasonal fruit, andย Wolferman's signature bakery tray, which contains seven different baked goods, including cinnamon swirl, raspberry galettes, andย baklava.
