From Latin American Flans to Hot Cross Buns: We find out your favourite Easter bakes!

As many of us look forward to wholesome gatherings with friends and family over the Easter bank holiday weekend, we asked you to share the Easter bakes that are a hit in your homes – all to give us a little eggs-tra (sorry, we had to!) inspiration for the weekend ahead.

Perhaps unsurprisingly (because they’re full of childhood nostalgia, sticky fingers and melted chocolate memories), one classic, magical treat stood out as a firm favourite: Easter Egg Chocolate Nests! Whether you stick with Cornflakes (a classic choice), go for Shredded Wheat (a bolder move), or use Rice Krispies, these nostalgic delights – coated in melted chocolate, butter, and syrup, and topped with your favourite mini eggs – never fail to bring a smile!

We caught up with renowned pastry chef and author, Matt Adlard who’s baking his incredible Soft Hot Cross Buns this weekend! Matt has honed his ingredients and recipe over the years to create a match made in bun heaven - packed with warming spices, fragrant orange zest, and a secret twist – Earl Grey tea – that elevates the flavour to the next level. Matt’s recipe will not only make your kitchen smell heavenly, but your guests will also be counting down the minutes until they can enjoy them warm with a generous spread of salted butter. Pure perfection!

We also found out about Loli Patisserie, Laura Jaramillo’s plans to create her Latin American Flan, which sounds utterly delicious: “We usually have a flan every Easter,” said Laura, “it’s called Flan de Pascua and is eaten in most Columbian homes on Easter Friday. The flan is comprised of a gently cooked custard with a clear glaze of caramel on top – a bit like a Crème Caramel.

“I like it when the caramel has been cooked until it’s an auburn brown, the texture of the custard is silky smooth, and when I can really taste a hint of vanilla.”

Laura also swears by using Mexican vanilla pods in her version: “The best vanilla pods grow in southern Mexico, I think they have an even better flavour than the Madagascan vanilla beans.”

Sarah Hayley from The Stylists Notebook swears by adding a Creme Egg twist to rich, fudgy brownies for a delicious treat that everyone will love. In fact, speaking of Creme Eggs – did you know that Hetty’s Kitchen in Gloucestershire is famous for its Brownie Scotchie Eggs? They have levelled them up even more this year – ordinarily Hetty’s Scotchies feature a whole Cadbury’s Creme Egg in the centre. This year, in a bid to reduce palm oil use, Hetty’s Kitchen has cleverly created their own gooey fondant centre – complete with a rich, golden “yolk”.

And if you're looking for something easy, indulgent, and fun to bake this Easter, we have our own family-friendly recipe to share with you! Cookies have always been heralded in our house – especially when they’re warm and just out of the oven. These Mini Egg Cookies are perfect for keeping little hands busy during the school holidays and if your children are a bit older, why not set them the challenge of baking a batch for you?

Use your favourite chocolate – or sneak a few bits from the Easter egg stash! The cookie dough can be stored in the fridge for up to three days or frozen until you're ready to shape and bake, making them the ideal minimal fuss treat to whip up for guests.

If you try making them, we’d love to see them! And don’t forget to show off your Easter tablescapes featuring your favourite Prop Options stands – please tag us in your photos on Instagram and Facebook!

Whatever your Easter weekend holds – whether it’s work, rest, play, or a bit of holiday chaos – we hope it’s a joyful one.

On your marks, get set, BAKE!

Daisy’s Mini Egg Cookies

Makes 12

Ingredients:

  • 125g unsalted butter (or
    dairy free butter, softened at room temp)
  • 100g caster sugar
  • 125g light brown sugar
  • 1 medium egg
  • 1tsp vanilla extract or
    vanilla bean paste
  • 225g self-raising flour,
    sifted (GF also works)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 125g Dairy Milk or your
    favourite chocolate (dairy free if needed)
  • 100g Mini Eggs or simply add an extra 100g of your chosen
    chocolate if you’re not using Mini Eggs
  • Sea salt flakes (optional)
1. Give it some shade

How to make:

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C, gas mark 4 or 160°C fan. Line a tray with baking paper.
  2. Chop the chocolate into smaller chunks and bash half the mini eggs with the back of a rolling pin until slightly smashed. Reserve the other half of the mini eggs to pop on the top of your cookies.
  3. In a separate large bowl, cream together the butter, sugars, salt and vanilla with a wooden spoon. Add the egg and mix until combined.
  4. Add the flour and mix until almost combined, then add the chocolate. Stir it all together until just incorporated (try not to overmix as the cookies will flatten out in shape rather than puff up slightly). Dough can be wrapped in cling film and chilled/frozen at this stage if making ahead.
  5. To bake: Roll cookie dough into golf ball size balls and space 3cm apart on the baking tray. Press the cookie balls down slightly, add one or two whole mini eggs to each one and a sprinkling of sea salt.
  6. Bake for 9 - 12 minutes depending on how soft you like your cookies, cool on a wire rack or enjoy warm!
  7. Store in an airtight container for 3 – 4 days.

Written by Daisy Pratt - our resident press officer and owner at Very Vanilla.

With huge thanks to our
contributors: