Make-ahead Easter recipes
Put together a low-stress spring feast with our make-ahead Easter recipes. Whether you fancy doing some baking, making homemade gifts or are hosting the big lunch, these Easter recipes will help you get ahead in the kitchen.
Rustle up Easter Sunday lunch with our make-ahead mains, like slow-roast lamb and chicken pies. Prep some seasonal sides like baked chicory with ham, roast carrots with sesame or tender sherry-braised leeks. Starters are always a canny dish to make ahead of time and stash in the fridge or freezer. Our make-ahead Easter starters include a vibrant and fresh pea soup, and Gill Meller’s rich trout terrine with capers.
Follow with a dessert that you can whip out of the fridge when you’re ready to serve.
If you’re making the most of the long weekend with a relaxed potter in the kitchen, then try some of our make-ahead Easter bake recipes. Perfect if you’ve got family or friends dropping in for a cuppa, or need something to serve while the kids are scrambling in the flowerbeds for the Easter egg hunt.
Finish off your Easter menu by taking a look at our Easter lunch recipes, hot cross buns for Good Friday and ways to use up any leftover chocolate. Happy Easter!
Showing 1-16 of 55 recipes
Cheesecake recipes
Caramelised white chocolate cheesecake
This showstopping cheesecake has a high-sided chocolatey biscuit base, a creamy filling spiked with nutty caramelised white chocolate and a...
Gratin recipes
Baked chicory with ham
Slightly bitter white chicory, grown in the dark as a ‘forced’ salad vegetable, is at its peak in early spring....
Soup recipes
Pea soup with dill and wasabi crème fraîche
This elegant pea soup makes an excellent Sunday lunch or Easter starter. The garnish of wasabi peas is optional, but...
Baking recipes
Hot cross banana bread
Banana bread meets hot cross buns in this delicious Easter loaf – or ‘bunana’ bread. A brioche-style dough is spread...
Ragù recipes
Lamb ragù
Slow-cooked lamb shoulder makes the perfect base for a rich and meaty sauce for pasta. It can be made a...
Pannacotta recipes
Marsala pannacotta
The addition of marsala wine and rum, plus the light coating of caramel, creates a complex flavour to this irresistible...
Chocolate mousse recipes
Michel Roux Jr’s chocolate mousse
Learn how to make the perfect chocolate mousse, with this masterclass recipe from leading chef Michel Roux Jr. Michel Roux...
Make-ahead Easter recipes
Mashed potatoes with greens and bacon
For mash with a difference, try our silky mashed potatoes with bacon and greens. Serve alongside beef, lamb or chicken...
Dinner party dessert recipes
Chocolate orange pithivier
Chocolate orange lovers won’t be able to resist this decadent dessert. Our chocolate pithivier has a rich chocolate, hazelnut and...
No-bake desserts
Chilled chocolate soufflés with salted almond praline
Looking for an impressive make-ahead dessert? These decadent chocolate soufflés topped with salted almond praline can be made 1-2 days...
Make-ahead Christmas dessert recipes
Chocolate coconut meringue wreath
This is one epic dessert for Easter or other special occasions. A chocolate coconut meringue wreath is topped with fruit...
Baked cheesecake recipes
Chocolate Guinness cheesecake
The greatest chocolate cheesecake ever? Very possibly. Our chocolate Guinness cheesecake has an Oreo base, thick cheesecake layer and malted...
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