With spring around the corner, floral notes and fresh flavors are in. The State Hornet has you covered with eight delectable desserts that take the seasonal flavors you already love and spin them into simple recipes.
Strawberry Shortcake Cups
Nothing says spring like fresh strawberries, clouds of whipped cream and layers of soft vanilla cake. These strawberry shortcake cups take the classic dessert you know and love and transform it into a lighter, layered treat that feels bakery worthy but comes together in minutes.
The recipe is simple: bake a vanilla cake (or use a boxed mix), stir together a quick strawberry sauce if you want extra flavor, slice fresh berries for layering and make a batch of whipped cream to finish everything off.
Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Hopefully, you aren’t too allergic to what’s coming up next. If you’re craving something tangy, these lemon cheesecake bars are bright, simple and perfectly suited for spring.
Simply make the crust, stir up the cheesecake filling and adjust the flavors to your liking. Mixing two popular desserts into one, this recipe is sure to impress.
Cherry Blossom Rice Krispie Treats
Soft pink hues, floral-leaning and incredibly aesthetic, these cherry blossom Rice Krispie treats turn a childhood classic into a perfect party dessert. Swirling in vibrant pops of cherry flavor and a drizzle of white chocolate, these bite-sized treats are the easiest way to bring the cherry blossom season straight to your kitchen.
The recipe is simple: stir up Rice Krispies cereal in a large bowl with melted butter and marshmallows. Add cherry-flavored gelatin into the mixture, let cool and then dip the bars in dark chocolate for a fancy, finished touch.
Carrot Cake Cookies
Want the cozy spice of carrot cake but in a sandwich-sized, frosting-filled format? These carrot cake cookies balance a soft texture with a tangy cream cheese center that tastes like a dream. These treats are perfect for Easter gatherings, spring picnics or any day you want something nostalgic but not too heavy.
Mix together spices, shredded carrots, coconut, brown sugar, flour and other ingredients into a big bowl. Then, prepare the dreamy cream cheese frosting and assemble the simple sandwich cookies in minutes.
RELATED: Bites, brews and baking: A guide for fall treats
Peach Dump Cakes
Imagine a dessert where juicy peaches bubble under a golden, buttery cake mix topping that tastes like half the work. These peach dump cakes are warm, sweet and ideal for those first sunny afternoons when you want something fresh and fruity without overheating your kitchen.
Slice fresh peaches, drizzle with melted butter in a baking dish and sprinkle with your choice of toppings. After air frying, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Blueberry Lavender Mini Pies
Tiny, flaky and filled with a jammy blueberry-lavender center, these blueberry lavender mini pies bring the essence of spring in pastry form to your table. The lavender adds an extravagant, elevated floral note, and the blueberries bring a fresh, fruity flavor. This dessert looks delicious on a plate and tastes even better warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
To make this recipe, whip up the delicious filling in minutes, make or purchase the pie crust, and then bake until it’s golden and crispy.
Cadbury Mini Egg Cookie Bars
Ready for a chaotic, colorful upgrade to classic cookie bars just in time for Easter? The crushed mini eggs add a satisfying crunch, pops of pastel color and that unmistakable sweetness of Easter candy. These Cadbury Mini Egg cookie bars are the kind of dessert you make once and immediately get asked to bring to the next party.
For this recipe, start by crushing a handful of Cadbury Mini Eggs using a plastic bag and a rolling pin and make the cookie bar Base. Fold the pastel pieces of goodness into the dough, then bake.
Pistachio Honey Blondies
Nutty, chewy and naturally pastel green, these blondies bring a festive nod to St. Patrick’s Day without being overly sweet. The pistachios add texture, while the subtle drizzle of honey gives a warm, floral finish. These pistachio honey blondies are elegant and easy enough for a brunch spread.
Stir together instant pistachio pudding, flour, butter and other ingredients for the base. Then bake, cut into even squares, and drizzle with honey and chopped pistachios for extra pizazz.
