How to Make Desserts for Easter 

I have learned how to make many desserts for Easter which are traditional in various countries. You will find each of the Christian countries which celebrate the resurrection of Christ to have special cakes, bread and other desserts for this very special holiday. Here in America we have a wide range of these recipes, many going back to the homeland of our immigrant families.


For instance, if you are learning how to make desserts for Easter from Greece you might find one called galaktoboureka. This is made with sheets of phyllo dough and layered with custard. Being one of the favorite desserts of the Greek cuisine, it is used to celebrate many holidays or special occasions. Although it is a little time consuming to make, it is well worth the effort. It should be eaten while fresh but that is no problem; I cannot believe it could last long around anyone who likes desserts.

In many countries, pies and tarts are the primary recipes when learning how to make desserts for Easter. These are most likely to be made with a filling of egg custard or cheese. In Ireland, one might be flavored with Irish coffee or whiskey and in Britain you might find one filled with lemon curd. I have found that in many countries it is common to flavor the desserts with lemon; that is also with the pies and tarts.

My five cream pie recipes have become my traditional desserts for Easter. Years ago I started making these for Easter for a couple of reasons. I always had so many recipes to make throughout the year that the creamed pies always came about on Easter by accident. I would start by thinking of making only two or three but my pie crust dough would make five pies; I simply started filling all five crusts.

For my desserts for Easter, I always make a chocolate cream, coconut cream, lemon meringue, butterscotch and banana cream pies. I have already given you my chocolate and coconut, so below I am giving you my butterscotch, lemon meringue and banana cream recipes. These Easter pie recipes quickly became such a hit that the family looked forward to the holiday just to get the pies.

If you only want to make one or two pies, the unbaked pie shells keep well in the freezer. Simply stack the lined pie pans with wax paper between them then wrap tightly with plastic wrap.

HOW TO MAKE DESSERTS FOR EASTER like this
LEMON PIE RECIPE

This is one of the fabulous desserts for Easter the lemon flavor signals that spring is here.

  • 1 Baked pie shell
  • 1 ¼ Cups sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 Cups water
  • 1/3 Cup lemon juice
  • 3 Eggs separated
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons lemon extract
  • 2 Teaspoons vinegar

Combine and mix sugar, cornstarch and water in a heavy saucepan.
Combine and beat together in a bowl the yolks with the juice; blend into the sugar mixture.
Place over medium heat and cook stirring constantly until mixture thickens like pudding (about 25 minutes).
Add lemon extract, butter and vinegar; stir to blend.
Pour pudding mixture into baked pie shell; top with meringue.
Bake pie until meringue is golden brown; cool completely before cutting.

BUTTERSCOTCH PIE RECIPE

  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 Cups scalded milk
  • 2 Beaten egg yolks
  • ½ Cup cold milk
  • 1 Cup brown sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla

Combine beaten egg yolks, cornstarch and cold milk; stir until smooth and set aside.
Melt butter in a heavy saucepan; add brown sugar and heat over low until sugar dissolves.
Stir in scalded milk; slowly stir cornstarch/yolk mixture into brown sugar mixture.
Continue cooking and stirring constantly until mixture thickened.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla; pour into baked pie shell.
Top with meringue and bake until golden brown; cool completely.

BANANA CREAM PIE RECIPE

This banana pie is also included in desserts for Easter; with its pastel coloring and tropical taste it is so refreshing.

  • 4 Egg yolks
  • ¼ Cup flour
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¾ Cup sugar
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • 3 Cups milk
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 Large bananas or more sliced

Beat egg yolks in mixing bowl and set aside.
In heavy saucepan stir together flour, cornstarch, sugar and salt.
Gradually whisk in milk blending until smooth.
Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until mixture thickens and comes to a full boil.
Cook mixture 2 minutes longer; remove from heat and stir in vanilla and butter.
Line baked pie shell with a layer of bananas; pour in half of pudding mixture.
Top with another layer of sliced bananas; spread remaining pudding mixture over the top.
Add meringue and bake until golden brown; cool completely.

PIE CRUST RECIPE

This pie crust serves as the foundation for many of the desserts for Easter.

  • 2 Egg yolks
  • 2 Tablespoons vinegar
  • Water
  • 5 Cups flour
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • 2 Cups solid white shortening
  • Egg white

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
Grease bottom of pie pans; not sides.
In measuring combine yolk and vinegar; fill cup to 1 cup line with cold water.
Combine flour and salt; cut in shortening with pastry cutter.
Add yolk mixture to flour shortening mix; stir until blended.
Turn dough out on floured surface and knead until smooth; divide into five balls.
Roll each ball to fit into prepared pie pans; trim around edges and crimp.
With fork pierce holes in bottom of crust and on sides; helps prevent shrinking while baking.
Whip egg white with fork and brush on crust to help prevent sogginess from filling.
Bake crusts until light golden brown; let cool.

BEST MERINGUE RECIPE

This meringue recipe is suitable to top many desserts for Easter; the presentation is great for any special occasion.

  • 4 Egg whites at room temperature
  • Pinch salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ½ Cup water
  • 6 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Combine water, sugar and cornstarch in saucepan over medium heat; cook until thickened but pourable.
Combine egg whites, salt and cream of tartar in mixing bowl; beat until soft peaks form.
Gradually pour in hot mixture while beating until stiff peaks form.
Spoon on top of pie filling and spread with spatula to sides to seal the edges.
Bake at 350F degrees until meringue is golden brown; cool pies completely before cutting.

GALAKTOBOUREKO RECIPE

This galaktoboureko recipe is an all time favorite dessert in Greece. The creamy custard pie is bake in phyllo sheets of dough which is so familiar to the Greek cuisine. This dessert makes a great addition to your choice of desserts for Easter.

  • 4 Cups milk
  • 2 Cups whipping cream
  • ½ Cup plus 1 tablespoon quick enriched farina
  • ½ Cup sugar
  • 6 Egg yolks
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ½ Pound phyllo dough sheets
  • ¾ Cup melted butter
  • Syrup (recipe below)

Grease 9 X 13 inch baking pan.
In heavy saucepan heat milk and whipping cream JUST to boiling.
In small bowl combine farina and sugar; gradually sprinkle into hot milk mixture.
Stir mixture with wire whisk while heating to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium low and continue cooking stirring constantly;
Cook until mixture is slightly thickened about 5 to 10 minutes; remove from heat.
In large mixing bowl on high speed beat egg yolks and vanilla until thoroughly blended.
Reduce speed to medium and gradually beat in the farina mixture until well blended.
Preheat oven to 375F degrees.
In the prepared pan, place 1 sheet of phyllo letting it extend up the sides of the pan.
Brush sheet with melted butter; repeat process and lay 5 more layers.
Pour the farina and yolk mixture into the lined phyllo pan.
Cut remaining phyllo into 9 X 13 rectangles (about).
Place 1 sheet on farina mixture and brush with butter; repeat with remaining phyllo and melted butter.
With sharp knife cut top phyllo layer into 2 ¼ inch squares.
Bake 35 minutes or until top is golden brown; pour hot lemon syrup over the top.
Cool at least 1 hour; cut through the layers to serve warm or cold.
Lemon Syrup Recipe:
Cook over medium heat ¾ cup sugar and 1/3 cup water until boiling stirring occasionally.
Reduce heat to low and simmer about 8 minutes until syrup is thickened.
Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

RASPBERRY SWIRL DESSERT RECIPE

This is one of the easier to make desserts for Easter.

  • ¾ Cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 3 Tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 3 Eggs separated
  • 1 Package (8 ounces) softened cream cheese
  • 1 Cup sugar
  • 1/8 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Cup whipping cream
  • 1 Package (10 ounces) frozen raspberries partially thawed

Combine and blend thoroughly crumbs, melted butter and 2 tablespoons sugar.
Press mixture into greased 7 X 11 X 1 ½ inches pan.
Bake at 375F degrees for 8 minutes and cool completely.
Beat egg yolks until thick; add cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and salt and beat until smooth.
Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; whip cream until stiff.
Fold cream and egg whites into cheese mixture; crush berries in blender until pulp.
Gently swirl half of berry pulp through cheese filling; spread over baked crust.
Spoon remaining pulp over the top and swirl with knife; freeze until solid.

PINEAPPLE ICEBOX DESSERT

  • 1 ½ Cups powdered sugar
  • ½ Cup chopped pecans
  • 1 Cup drained crushed pineapple
  • Vanilla wafers
  • ½ Cup softened butter
  • 2 Egg whites stiffly beaten
  • Sweetened whipped cream
  • Strawberries, cherries or raspberries for garnish

Cream butter and sugar thoroughly; add pineapple and pecans and blend thoroughly.
Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites.
Line cake pan with vanilla wafers; cover wafers with half of pineapple mixture.
Add another layer of vanilla wafers; top with remaining pineapple mixture.
Place in refrigerator overnight or at least 12 hours; garnish with whipped cream and fruit to serve.

EASTER LAMB CAKE RECIPE (Made with Gold lemon cake recipe)

How to Make Desserts for EasterEaster Lamb Cake
  • 2 ½ Cups sifted cake flour
  • 2 Teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ Cups sugar
  • ½ Cup salad oil
  • 6 Eggs separated
  • ¾ Cup cold water
  • Drop yellow food coloring
  • 2 Teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Teaspoon grated lemon rind
  • ½ Teaspoon cream of tartar

Combine sifted flour, baking powder and salt; sift into large bowl and set aside.
Combine sugar and oil in mixing bowl; beat until blended.
Add egg yolks one at a time beating after each; blend in water, coloring, lemon juice and lemon rind.
Add flour mixture to yolk mixture gradually while beating.
Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff peaks form.
Fold beaten egg whites into batter 1/3 at a time; fold just until blended.
Pour batter into 1 large muffin cup 2/3 full; pour remaining batter into greased and floured loaf pan.
Bake in preheated oven at 325F degrees until pick comes out clean.
Muffin should take about 25 minutes.
Loaf should take about 55 to 60 minutes.

loaf cake and muffin to make Easter Lamb cake
loaf cake and muffin to make Easter Lamb cake