So, it’s finally spring. Woo hoo! (She said while still seeing piles of melting snow in the yard.) I thought I’d round up some recipe ideas to really invite/usher/coax/beg the season in :) I’ve picked 15 Recipes to Make This Spring.
You’ll find some breakfast ideas, dessert (of course), a few sides and a main dish. I’ve included lots of citrus and recipes with fruit, and some dishes that use fresh herbs. Let’s kick the list off with breakfast…
Lemon Ricotta Crumb Cake. The perfect marriage of fresh citrus and rich ricotta cheese, crowned with a buttery shortbread cookie crumb topping. The crumb topping is so good, but the ricotta cake? It would be good regardless of what you put on top.
Berry Blintz Souffle. Cheese blintzes with no rolling or filling. Make it in one pan and feed a crowd! Seriously, this is sort of like eating cheesecake for breakfast. We’ve eaten it as a both a breakfast treat and for dessert.
Sour Cream Chive Biscuits. Savory biscuits that are light and fluffy with the mild tang of sour cream that pairs so perfectly with fresh chives. These would be perfect to add to a spring dinner and absolutely delish with eggs for breakfast.
Classic Banana Bread. This classic quick bread is chock full of banana flavor and updated with whole grains and Greek yogurt. This recipe doesn’t have anything specific to do with spring, but hey, I bet you’ve got some bananas that are bit past their prime :) Plus, it’s got some healthier ingredients, even though you’d never know it.
Ultimate Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal. Ok. So there’s all kinds of splurgy things on this list. This one will treat you to a trip to carrot cake land while delivering lots of oatmeal goodness. A surprising cream cheese center adds to the heartiness of this delicious baked oatmeal. When you hit the cream cheese center, trust me, it will feel like a splurge. Great for snacks or a breakfast to go!
Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bars. A thick, soft shortbread crust is topped with a lemony custard, fresh blueberries and a lemon crumb topping. C’mon, it’s shortbread…with delicious stuff on top. It has to be good, right? I get regular requests from friends to make this yummy bar.
Lemon Souffle Pudding Cakes bake up with a light sponge cake capped with a luscious lemon topping. An impressive dessert that’s easy to make! (I just had a reader post that he made a batch of 8 of these and it’s his new favorite dessert.)
Lemon Lime Cream Slab Pie. Creamy lemon lime filling, topped with fluffy whipped cream, sits upon a sweet vanilla wafer crust. One of the easiest slab pies I’ve made. The filling mixes up in a flash. It always gets rave reviews and it’s perfect for a crowd! (Or, cut the recipe in half and make a tart for a smaller group.)
Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Dip. No bake cheesecake layered with lemon curd and fresh blueberries. It’s a really easy dip that looks like a fancy dessert! If you need to bring dessert somewhere, this is one of the easiest things you can make. It’s great with home made lemon curd, but you can totally take a short cut and buy the lemon curd at the store.
Triple Citrus Pound Cake. Go big or go home! If you’re going to do citrus, DO CITRUS!!! Fresh orange, lemon and lime brighten this cake. Sour cream provides richness. Delicious plain or as a base for other desserts. (I made trifles and biscotti with the leftovers! Yep, that’s right. I said, “Biscotti.” Go check it out! And yes, you can cheat and make the biscotti with a store bought pound cake if you wish :)
Orange Olive Oil Cake. A refreshingly light tasting yet very moist cake made with fresh squeezed orange juice, orange zest and your favorite mild olive oil. This is another easy cake to make and it’s bursting with orange flavor. I usually serve it simply dusted with confectioner’s sugar, but I’ve had some readers cover it with chocolate!
Spring Recipes for The Dinner Table
Pineapple Stuffing. A sweet and savory side dish that’s a twist on classic stuffing. It’s perfect served with ham and pork dishes. I also include the recipe for the original pineapple stuffing that’s buttery and sweet and generally addictive. You can’t go wrong with either one.
Pineapple Coconut Glazed Carrots are simmered in coconut milk, glazed with a pineapple coconut syrup, then topped with toasted coconut and lime. I love classic orange glazed carrots, but the tropical twist on this one was ridiculously good!
Herb Roasted Potatoes. Tiny potatoes roast up quickly and full of flavor with fresh herbs. They get a little crispy and pop when you bite into them! Love ’em!
Greek Chicken with Capers and Raisins in Feta Sauce. This has been a favorite for quite awhile. Quick and easy chicken dish made with the most amazing pan sauce. It’s got so much flavor. It’s sweet and savory, citrus-y from the lemon and briny from the capers. The feta adds a layer of creaminess. This is a must make. It’s delicious served over orzo!
And there you have it. 15 Recipes to Make This Spring. Forget the piles of melting snow. Let’s get this season started!