How to Plan a Simple Yet Memorable Easter Buffet

Celebrate Easter with a buffet menu that strikes the perfect balance—impressive enough to wow your friends and family, but easy enough to prepare in just a few hours. We’ll show you how with recipe ideas and a simple timeline to keep you on track.

We’ve carefully selected these simple recipes for your Easter buffet, along with make-ahead tips so you can get a head start on your preparations.

*Note: For this sample menu, the carrot cake should be baked the day before. The remaining dishes can be prepared on the day of the event.

A Traditional Easter Buffet Menu

1. Honey-Glazed Ham

Prep: 20 minutes | Total time: 1 hour 35 minutes.

"This ham tastes just like the famous honey-baked variety, but at a fraction of the price," says Colleen. "For convenience, buy the ham pre-sliced. It's absolutely delicious."

Get the Recipe: Honey-Glazed Ham

2. Whipped Sweet Potato Casserole

Prep: 10 minutes | Total time: 40 minutes.

This is an excellent make-ahead recipe that you can store in the fridge until you're ready to bake it.

Get the Recipe: Whipped Sweet Potato Casserole

3. Lemon Green Beans with Walnuts

Prep: 15 minutes | Total time: 30 minutes.

To save time, trim and steam the green beans the night before. Then, reheat them the next day in a steamer or briefly in the microwave. Be sure to slightly undercook them so they don’t become overdone when reheated.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Green Beans with Walnuts

4. Angel Biscuits II

Prep: 35 minutes | Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes.

You can prepare and freeze these biscuits up to a month ahead of time! Simply cut out the dough, arrange the unrisen biscuits on a lined baking sheet to freeze, and then transfer them to a freezer bag. On Easter morning, place the frozen biscuits on a lined sheet to thaw and rise, which may take 4 to 5 hours. Then bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Angel Biscuits II

5. Sam's Famous Carrot Cake

Prep: 20 minutes | Total time: 1 hour 40 minutes.

Bake this cake a day ahead for a moist, flavorful treat at your Easter buffet. Carrot cake often tastes even better after it’s had time to sit and let the flavors develop.

Get the Recipe: Sam's Famous Carrot Cake

How to Prepare for an Easter Buffet

Follow this timeline if you're handling all the cooking (except the cake) on the day of the party.

• The night before, bake and ice the carrot cake; toast the walnuts for the green beans.
• Two hours before the meal, make the angel biscuits and let them rise.
• Cook the ham, glazing periodically as instructed.
• Boil the sweet potatoes and prep the casserole while the ham is baking.
• Remove the ham from the oven; bake the sweet potato casserole.
• Steam the green beans while the sweet potatoes are in the oven. Garnish with the toasted walnuts
• Bake the biscuits.

Easter Buffet Decorating Ideas

• Set the table with pastel or cream-colored linens. Clean and ready serving dishes. Find a nice basket (or brightly colored Easter basket) to hold biscuits.
• Line miniature pots of spring flowers — daffodils or tulips — down the center of the table. Later, the flowers can be planted in the garden or in outdoor pots.
• Keep your centerpieces low so that guests can see each other. Use tall arrangements for dramatic displays near the serving area or on side tables. Try setting out florist buckets of forsythia or pussy willow branches in addition to the traditional lilies.

Explore our full collection of Easter Recipes, featuring appetizers, Easter breads, main courses, sides, desserts, and more.