Easter is just around the corner, which means it's time to start planning your holiday menu. Whether you're hosting a large family gathering or a small get-together with friends, no Easter celebration is complete without a delicious dessert. Here are five popular Easter dessert ideas that are sure to impress your guests. We made one last year, #5 on the list, which we may want to make again this year! It was a delicious Easter dessert and sweet snack to munch on. 

Carrot cake is a classic Easter dessert that is loved by many. This moist and flavorful cake is made with shredded carrots, walnuts, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The cream cheese frosting is the perfect finishing touch, adding a tangy and creamy sweetness to the cake.

To make a classic carrot cake, start by combining flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, vanilla extract, and shredded carrots. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Stir in chopped walnuts, then pour the batter into a greased baking pan. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool before frosting with cream cheese frosting. Here's a similar recipe from Cake By Courtney. 

Hot cross buns are a traditional Easter dessert that are typically eaten on Good Friday. These sweet buns are made with raisins, spices, and a cross-shaped icing on top. They are best served warm and fresh from the oven. Have you had one before or made them from scratch? 

To make hot cross buns, start by combining flour, sugar, salt, and spices in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let the yeast mixture sit for a few minutes until it becomes frothy, then add it to the dry ingredients. Add eggs and butter, then knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Fold in raisins and let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour. Divide the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Let the buns rise for another 30 minutes, then brush them with an egg wash and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes. Mix together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the icing, and pipe it onto the buns in the shape of a cross. Here's a similar recipe to follow along to by recipetineats.

Lemon bars are a light and refreshing Easter dessert that are perfect for spring. These tangy and sweet bars are made with a shortbread crust and a lemony custard filling.

To make lemon bars, start by mixing together flour, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Cut in cold butter until the mixture becomes crumbly, then press it into the bottom of a baking dish. Bake the crust at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until it becomes golden brown. Meanwhile, whisk together eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour to make the filling. Pour the filling over the baked crust, then bake at 350°F for another 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set. Let the bars cool before dusting them with powdered sugar. Similar recipe found on Sally's Baking Recipes.

Easter egg nest cupcakes are a fun and festive Easter dessert that are perfect for kids and adults alike. These cupcakes are topped with a nest made of chocolate and chow mein noodles, and filled with candy eggs.

To make Easter egg nest cupcakes, start by making your favorite chocolate cupcakes. While the cupcakes are baking, melt chocolate in a double boiler. Once the chocolate has melted, stir in chow mein noodles until they are fully coated. Spoon the chocolate mixture onto a piece of parchment paper in small mounds, then use your fingers to shape them into nests. Let the nests cool and harden. Similar recipe by Pillsbury using sprinkles instead of chow mein noodles.