14 Recipes We Can't Wait to Make This April

The spring produce keeps coming in and we want to use it all.

Even before we were done cooking up recipes in March, we were excited to think about the dishes that would soon grace our tables in April. This month has a lot to offer, after all. We start to see color again! From the green vegetables like asparagus, peas, and artichokes, to the pink produce like strawberries, rhubarb, and radishes—and all the carrots and spring onions in between. We love to see it, and even more so, cook with it.

Whether you’re looking forward to an Easter brunch, Passover Seder, Eid al-Fitr feast, or even the beginning of baseball season, we hope this list of seasonal favorites will jumpstart your meal planning. Celebrate spring’s bounty with these recipes.

Hot Beef Sundae

Let's start off the list with an April Fool's joke everyone will love. While there are some clever ways to trick people with food, we love this play on dessert that is actually savory mashed potatoes and roast beef topped with gravy and cheese—all made to look like an ice cream sundae. See if you can serve this with a straight face and then enjoy the reactions (and the flavors!).

Simply Roasted Artichokes

I just know spring has arrived when I start to see lovely big green globes pop up in the produce section of the grocery store. This recipe here is basic but wonderful, allowing the flavor and texture of the artichokes to shine through. And if you’re not used to dealing with a whole artichoke, there is a helpful video on how to trim and prepare this vegetable (or read our in-depth artichoke guide here). Roasted artichokes make the perfect appetizer or side on any celebratory table.

Garlic Scape Pesto

Garlic scapes are a darling of spring and this twist on pesto is a great use for them. Make a batch and use it for this favorite tortellini pesto salad or freeze it to use later as a pasta sauce or dip. Take it from users Clint and Joana Murphy, "Yum! Wow. This is the first time I’ve ever used garlic scapes, and this is the perfect recipe to use to be able to fully appreciate their flavor... The simplicity of this recipe won me over, and the flavor is outstanding!"

Hot Cross Buns

If you've been wanting to finally tackle classic hot cross buns, now is your chance with Chef John's recipe. As he states, "Real hot cross buns have the cross baked into them, not piped on afterward. These are studded with rum-soaked currants." While these sweet rolls may be synonymous with Easter, we'll take any excuse to enjoy one (or two, or three).

Honey Glazed Ham

Speaking of synonymous with Easter, meet this Honey Glazed Ham perfect for any April occasion with its honey-butter glaze and spicy clove accents. With more than 1,000 5-star reviews, you know it has to be good. But the best part? As our editors point out, "This simple recipe is easy to make the day of and will impress everyone at your table."

Overnight Blueberry French Toast

We're always in for a breakfast casserole, especially one that can be made the night before. As recipe creator KARAN1946 says, "This blueberry French toast casserole is a very unique breakfast dish. Good for any holiday breakfast or brunch, it's filled with the fresh taste of blueberries, and covered with a rich blueberry sauce to make it one-of-a-kind!" (And perfect for spring.)

Easter Bird's Nests

Get the kids involved for this fun treat—whether you're getting ready for Easter or welcoming the robins. These edible bird's nests are made using marshmallows, peanut butter, and crispy chow mein noodles with candy-coated milk chocolate eggs nestled inside, but can easily be personalized to suit your tastes.

Roast Leg of Lamb

This leg of lamb is good any time of year, but especially this month for Passover and/or the transition of rainy April showers. Serve this thing of beauty with some Roasted New Potatoes and finish the meal with sweet Haroset.

Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)

Fresh spinach is easy to find right now, so turn it into a masterpiece with this dish. Working with phyllo dough can be a little tricky but this recipe spells out all the details to take out the guesswork so you can make a top-rated spanakopita.

Carrot Cake

There's always a carrot cake that shows up in our kitchen in April. Whether it's on a holiday table or to celebrate a birthday, we can count on this favorite dessert to make an appearance—usually in the shape of a lamb thanks to a decades-old cake mold. Our top-rated carrot cake recipe is moist, light, fluffy, and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. What's not to love?

Penne with Asparagus and Shrimp

Once you're done with all the fancy holiday meals, settle into an easy weekday dinner that still feels elegant with this pasta dish that features spring asparagus and shrimp. There's even a version with chicken too if that's your preference.

Skillet Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Potatoes

Take it from recipe creator Yoly and try this tasty dinner perfect for the warming temperatures. "These chicken thighs are cooked in one skillet for easy cleanup. Carrots, potatoes, and onions are added for a complete meal. Serve with a side salad and some crusty bread."

Lemon Cream Cheese Bars

It's no wonder these lemon desserts are one of the top recipes we've shared on Instagram, not only are they simple and delicious, but they're made for spring with their fresh tart flavor. Plus, we've rounded up tips to make prep even easier. Take these along to a shower, potluck, or Sunday dinner and everyone will thank you.

Macarons (French Macaroons)

Let's end on another sweet note as we wait for May flowers. These colorful, customizable macarons look like blossoms and are perfect for Passover, showers, and birthdays as well. "They turned out easier to make than I expected! The hardest part was to make them perfectly circular! I got around that using the cupcake baking sheet." Reviewer isochrome notes. It's a new season, let's give them a try. They will be worth the effort for their delicate crunch and sweet taste.