Easter is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, yet no two countries celebrate it in exactly the same way. From festive parades to egg hunts, religious gatherings to lively feasts, each culture brings its own unique flavour to the holiday.
One of the most delightful ways to experience these different traditions is through food — especially desserts! While some Easter treats, like chocolate eggs, are enjoyed universally, many countries have their own signature sweets that have been passed down for generations. This year, why not take your Easter celebration to the next level by featuring traditional Easter desserts from around the world?
Whether it's a classic Australian hot cross bun, a beautifully braided Greek tsoureki, or a rich Italian pastiera Napoletana, there are endless ways to add an eclectic flavour to your celebration. Read on for a delicious journey through some of the most traditional Easter desserts from Australia and beyond.
When is Easter in 2025 and Why Do We Celebrate it?
Easter Sunday in 2025 falls on April 20th. This important Christian holiday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, celebrated by millions around the world. While Easter is an autumn holiday in Australia, for many countries in the northern hemisphere, the holiday is marked by the arrival of spring, symbolizing renewal and joy. But no matter the season, Easter is traditionally a time for feasting, family gatherings, and of course, indulging in delightful desserts.
What Do Easter Desserts Embody?
Easter desserts embody themes of renewal, celebration, and tradition. Many incorporate symbolic ingredients, such as eggs for new life, spices for the flavours of the season, rising yeast for the resurrection of Jesus, and sweet, rich elements to mark the joyous occasion. Easter desserts are a treasured part of the holiday for both the symbolism they bring as well as the delicious taste!
Traditional Australian Easter Desserts
Australia brings its own unique spin on Easter desserts, blending some traditional British influences with local creativity. Here are a few of the beloved Easter treats from the Land Down Under:
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Hot Cross Buns – A staple in Australian households, these spiced, dried fruit-filled buns are marked with a cross on top, symbolizing the crucifixion of Jesus. They are typically enjoyed warm and fresh out of the oven or toasted with butter.
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Pavlova – A light and airy meringue dessert with a crisp crust and soft centre, topped with fresh fruit and cream. While it’s a Christmas favorite, pavlova with seasonal fruits like kumquat, kiwi, or passion fruit is a treasured dessert at Easter gatherings as well.
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Easter Bilbies – In an effort to raise awareness about the endangered bilby, Australian chocolatiers have created chocolate bilbies as an alternative to the traditional Easter Bunny.
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Caramel Slice – A delicious layered treat consisting of a biscuit base, a smooth caramel filling, and a thick chocolate topping. This dessert is a simple and beautiful option for Easter tables and celebrations.
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Chocolate Easter Eggs – No Easter is complete without chocolate eggs! Australian brands create delightful variations, from basic foil-wrapped milk chocolate options to luxurious hand-painted artisan eggs to decorate your table. Chocolate Easter Eggs are one of those particular treats that can be found around the world.
Traditional Easter Desserts Around the World
Beyond Australia, each country has its own cherished Easter sweets, reflecting local ingredients and culinary traditions. Here’s a look at some of the best Easter desserts from around the globe.
Traditional Easter Desserts in the UK
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Simnel Cake – A spiced fruit cake with layers of marzipan and decorated with eleven marzipan balls, representing the apostles of Christ (excluding Judas who was the apostle that betrayed Jesus).
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Hot Cross Buns – A shared tradition with Australia, these delicious, traditional buns are a classic Easter treat across the UK.
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Easter Biscuits – Lightly spiced and studded with currents, these biscuits have a crisp outer texture from the egg white and sugar mix brushed on top.
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Spring Lamb Cake – A symbolic dessert, this classic Easter centrepiece is made with light sponge cake in a lamb-shaped mold and dusted with powdered sugar.
Traditional Italian Easter Desserts
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Colomba Pasquale – A dove-shaped sweet bread symbolizing peace, this Easter treat is a cross between the Italian Christmas breads of panettone and pandoro, made with candied orange peel and almonds.
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Pastiera Napoletana – A much loved Neapolitan ricotta sweet pie made with cooked wheat and flavoured with orange blossom water.
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Cassata Siciliana – A rich, colorful sponge cake originating from Sicily, layered with ricotta cheese, candied fruit, and coated with bright green marzipan.
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Pigna – A traditional Italian Easter bundt cake, symbolizing Jesus’s resurrection (since the dough rises considerably), topped with rainbow sprinkles.
Traditional German Easter Desserts
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Osterzopf – A braided sweet bread enriched with a generous amount of butter, vanilla sugar, and almonds, often served at Easter brunch.
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Marzipan – An almond-based confection shaped into Easter-themed figures which can be found across Europe.
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Osterlamm – The German version of the lamb-shaped cake, symbolizing Jesus as the Lamb of God, made with vanilla and rum or almond extract and covered with powdered sugar.
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Quarkkuchen – A light and fluffy German cheesecake made with quark, a soft fresh cheese.
Traditional Greek Easter Desserts
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Tsoureki – A braided sweet bread flavoured with mahleb (ground cherry seeds) and mastic (pine resin natural gum from the island of Chios), often topped with red-dyed eggs symbolizing the blood of Christ.
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Koulourakia – Crunchy, twisted butter cookies with a hint of vanilla and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
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Melachrinoi – An aromatic and citrusy cake from the island of Naxos made with walnuts and drenched in honey syrup.
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Fanouropita – A simple, dense cake nicknamed “the cake for lost things” because it is traditionally baked when something is lost. Often made with olive oil, cinnamon, and nuts, this cake doesn’t contain any eggs or dairy, so it is naturally vegan.
Traditional Mexican Easter Desserts
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Capirotada – A bread pudding made with sweet piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar) syrup, salty cheese, nuts, and dried fruit.
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Chongos – A traditional milk-based dessert flavoured with cinnamon and sugar that has a cheese-like consistency.
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Garapiñados – A simple and delicious snack of caramelised peanuts coated with a crunchy sugar glaze.
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Arroz con Leche – A creamy rice pudding made with both whole and evaporated milk and infused with cinnamon and sugar.
Shop for Cake Decorating Supplies in Our Shop
Bring the magic of Easter baking from around the world into your home with our premium cake decorating supplies! Whether you need baking mixes, icings, edible decorations, or biscuit boxes for gifting, we have everything to make your Easter treats extra special. Shop now and create unforgettable, international desserts this season!