There’s more to Easter than Cadbury Eggs and chocolate bunnies. From hot cross buns to strawberry skillet cake, you’ll be baking these breads and desserts for years to come. The options are endless—and without a foil-wrapped chocolate in sight.
Literally translated as “Easter Bread,” the Pane di Pasqua with its colorful eggs is Italy’s signature version of the holiday staple. We chose it to star on the cover of our March/April issue (where you can find even more traditional Easter bread recipes from Greece, Russia, and the Czech Republic!) Sometimes designed to resemble a doll or newborn, the intricately braided loaf symbolizes the rebirth of the spring season and Christ’s resurrection. This soft, slightly sweet bread with its iconic brightly colored eggs (we used blue) can be found well beyond the borders of Italy as a symbol of the season.
2. Carrot Cake
Our traditional carrot cake recipe, brimming with raisins, walnuts, carrots, and crushed pineapple then slathered in cream cheese frosting, is as timeless as it is flavorful.
This dish has the tart flavor of cheesecake and can be served as an appetizer or as an add-on to spruce up a basic cheese plate. Shop your local farmers’ markets for any locally-made goat cheese. We used Belle Chevre from Elkmont, Alabama.
