Andrew JanjigianEaster is one of those holidays that can be celebrated in a number of different ways. Whether you're planning a Sunday brunch, a special dinner, or an egg hunt, we're sure to have an Easter recipe or two to make your celebration more festive and delicious. In addition to our recipes for holiday feasts below, be sure to check out our in-depth guides to buying and preparing leg of lamb and sourcing the best ham.
Apps and Small PlatesMustardy Deviled EggsSerious Ears / Erik DrobeyHomemade mayo, dijon, and pickled cherry pepper brine give the filling for these eggs an extra punch, but the pickled mustard seeds spooned on top truly set these deviled eggs apart.
Torrijas Caramelizadas (Spanish-Style Caramelized French Toast)Serious Eats / Sasha MarxTorrijas, Spain's answer to French toast, are traditionally made during the semana santa, the holy week at Easter time. Custardy, crunchy, and creamy, they're perfect for serving at a special Easter brunch.
Asparagus, Mushroom, Leek, and Cheese GaletteSerious Eats / Vicky WasikEasy to throw together, this springtime vegetable tart is ideal for an Easter brunch spread.
Choreg (Armenian Easter Bread)Serious Eats / Andrew JanjigianNigella seed and ground mahlab give this eggy, aromatic, and plush Armenian bread its unique, intoxicating aroma and flavor.
Mains and RoastsHarissa (Armenian Wheat and Chicken Porridge)Serious Eats / Andrew JanjigianThis hearty, soothing dish is typically served around Easter—a perfect meal for lingering cold weather. The savory porridge is topped with Aleppo pepper-spiced browned butter and traditionally served with sheets of lavash to scoop it up, along with crisp pickled vegetables.
Tender Braised Lamb Shanks With Bitter Herb SaladSerious Eats / Vicky WasikA fragrant spice blend and a long, slow braise produce flavorful lamb shanks that practically melt off the bone.
Slow-Roasted Boneless Leg of LambSerious Eats / Jen CauseyThis aromatic roast lamb is seasoned throughout with garlic, shallot, anchovy, rosemary, lemon zest, and chile flakes. Using Kenji's reverse-sear method, the lamb turns out a perfect, rosy medium-rare from edge to center.
Maple-Glazed Spiral HamSerious Eats / Vicky WasikThis tender, moist city ham is finished off with a simple, sweet-spicy glaze of maple syrup, molasses, and mustard. If you're short on oven space, try Kenji's sous vide method, which only requires a brief 15-minute glazing at 500°F before serving.
Crown Roast of Lamb With Couscous Stuffing and Pistachio-Mint SauceSerious Eats / Vicky WasikThis impressive centerpiece is perfect for an Easter feast. Slowly cooking the lamb roast before it's stuffed and browned results in lamb that's a perfect, rosy medium-rare.
Cherry Coke-Glazed Country HamSerious Eats / J. Kenji López-AltFor those of you who are only familiar with spiral-cut hams or the moist, wet-cured ones that are sliced at the deli counter, country ham is a whole new ballgame. If you seek one out online from fine purveyors like Benton's, Colonel Bill Newsom's, and Edwards, you need to pay attention to a few key details. Kenji's recipe walks you through the basics of desalting country ham and balances its briny intensity with a Cherry Coke-honey-brown sugar glaze seasoned with clove, black pepper, and cinnamon.
DessertsMeringue Nests With Orange Curd Cream and Easter EggsSerious Eats / Nila JonesCrisp meringue "nests" filled with swirled orange curd cream and topped with fresh berries and chocolate Easter eggs make a lovely Easter dessert.
Dark Chocolate Easter CookiesSerious Eats / Vicky WasikHave extra Easter candy around? Stella's solution: "Make up the most ridiculously dark, bitter, and generously salted cookie dough imaginable" and mix in a medley of candy. This bitter, salty dough balances the sweetness of typical mass-produced candy.
Homemade Peanut Butter Cup EggsSerious Eats / Elizabeth BarbonePeanut butter-filled chocolate eggs are a classic Easter treat. They're especially tasty when you make them yourself!