19 Old-School Easter Recipes That Never Left the Church Cookbook

Some Easter dishes never go out of style, and these 19 recipes prove it. Pulled straight from the kind of church cookbooks passed around for generations, they’re made to feed a crowd and bring people together. These are the recipes that show up every year—tried, trusted, and written in the margins of stained pages. If you’ve ever looked forward to what’s on the folding table after the service, you’ll recognize why all 19 belong here.

Argentinian Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

Argentinian bread pudding with caramel sauce fits right in with the nostalgic desserts handed down through generations. Its soft, custardy texture and simple ingredients echo the kind of recipe you’d see scribbled in the margins of a worn church cookbook. This is the kind of dessert that shows up on folding tables after Easter services, where everyone takes “just a sliver” before going back for more. It’s the kind of crowd-pleaser that never needed updating.
Get the Recipe: Argentinian Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

Apple Cake

Apple cake has long been a go-to for church gatherings, and this version captures everything familiar about those old-time recipes. With tender apples baked into a moist, straightforward batter, it’s the kind of dessert that travels well and pleases everyone at the table. There’s nothing complicated here—just the kind of home baking you’d expect from any old-school Easter collection. It’s the type of cake that disappears faster than the folding chairs get put away.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cake

Carrot Soufflé

Carrot soufflé has been holding its place in holiday potlucks for decades, and it’s easy to see why. Light, slightly sweet, and comforting, it works as both a side dish and a dessert—exactly the kind of dual-purpose dish that church cookbooks have always embraced. It’s practical, easy to make ahead, and gets rave reviews without requiring anything fancy. This one feels like it was made with a 9x13 pan and handwritten notes from Grandma.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Soufflé

Cheesy French Toast Bake

This cheesy French toast bake has that hearty, bake-it-and-bring-it charm that defines so many old-school Easter brunch dishes. It's rich, savory, and designed for sharing—perfect for feeding a crowd after sunrise service. Recipes like this have always earned their place in church cookbooks for being dependable and familiar. It feels like something passed down from the lady who always brought the best casseroles to the potluck.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy French Toast Bake

Russian Blintzes

Russian blintzes, with their soft pancakes and sweet filling, may have roots outside the American South, but they’ve earned their place at Easter brunch tables across communities. The simplicity of the preparation and the make-ahead potential line up perfectly with what you'd find in older church collections. They hold up well on buffet tables and pair with both sweet and savory spreads, making them timeless. This is the sort of recipe that crosses cultures and still feels right at home.
Get the Recipe: Russian Blintzes

Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

Chicken hash brown casserole is one of those comforting, all-in-one dishes that practically defines old-school Easter meals. With easy prep, budget-friendly ingredients, and a golden-brown top, it has everything you want in a potluck classic. It’s hearty, satisfying, and comes out of the oven looking like it belongs on a folding table next to deviled eggs and ambrosia salad. This recipe feels like it’s been clipped out and passed around more than once.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole with Hazelnuts

Sweet potato casserole has long been a staple at holiday tables, and this version fits right into the kind of recipes that never left the church cookbook. The use of hazelnuts adds crunch, but the comforting base stays true to the roots of this side dish. It’s simple to make ahead and easy to reheat—perfect for big family gatherings. This is the dish people expect next to the ham and come back for when the marshmallows are gone.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Hazelnuts

Carrot Casserole

Carrot casserole is the kind of humble dish that shows up year after year on Easter tables. Made with pantry basics and warm spices, it's a nod to the tried-and-true recipes found in nearly every church collection. It doubles easily, travels well, and never gets left behind in the dish lineup. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a dish that’s been handwritten in the margins for generations.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Casserole

Vanilla Cupcakes with Spring Frosting

Vanilla cupcakes decorated for spring have been part of church bake sales and Easter buffets for decades. This version is simple, fluffy, and easy to decorate with whatever you’ve got on hand. Recipes like this stay around because they’re easy for anyone to make and always bring a smile to kids and adults alike. They're the first thing to vanish from the dessert table when everyone’s lining up after church.
Get the Recipe: Vanilla Cupcakes with Spring Frosting

Black-Eyed Pea Dip

Black-eyed pea dip may not be fancy, but it hits all the marks for a church cookbook classic: budget-friendly, easy to mix together, and packed with ingredients people recognize. Served with chips or crackers, it works as an appetizer that disappears fast at any Easter gathering. The simplicity makes it just right for handwritten recipe cards passed between pews. It’s the kind of dish that feels right next to the punch bowl and potato salad.
Get the Recipe: Black-Eyed Pea Dip

Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping

Cheesy cabbage casserole is exactly the kind of humble, comforting dish that never left the pages of a well-used church cookbook. The buttery cracker topping, melted cheese, and tender cabbage feel like something made in a big glass dish and passed around at fellowship hour. It’s straightforward, affordable, and feeds a group without any stress. This is the kind of casserole that gets scraped clean before you’ve made it through the dessert line.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping

Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole has been a mainstay of Easter and holiday meals for generations, and this version sticks to what works. Creamy sauce, tender beans, and a crisp topping make it recognizable in every bite. It’s the kind of dependable side dish that always makes the rotation because nobody complains when it’s on the table. This is one of those recipes that defines the phrase “never left the church cookbook.”
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Broccoli Rice Casserole

Broccoli rice casserole has long held its spot in the potluck canon, especially around Easter. It combines ingredients that are simple, familiar, and easy to stretch for a crowd. It’s the kind of side dish that pairs well with anything from ham to fried chicken, which is probably why it keeps showing up in community cookbooks. Every bite brings back memories of potlucks served out of aluminum pans and plastic tablecloths.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Rice Casserole

Pineapple Cheese Ball

Pineapple cheese balls are a throwback appetizer that has somehow never gone out of style, especially at church gatherings. Sweet, tangy, and rolled in crunchy pecans, it’s the kind of make-ahead recipe that earns its place by the punch every Easter. These recipes were designed to travel and to be made in big batches with minimal prep. It’s the kind of dish that gets more compliments than the main course.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cheese Ball

Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes are a classic Easter side that’s stayed popular for decades thanks to their simplicity and comfort. Made with thin-sliced potatoes and a creamy base, this recipe is the kind passed around church kitchens year after year. It pairs perfectly with glazed ham and balances out any holiday plate with familiar richness. There’s something about it that just belongs next to a casserole and deviled eggs.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot cake cookies with cream cheese frosting are a newer take on a very traditional Easter flavor. The ingredients—carrots, cinnamon, and cream cheese—tie them to the old-school cakes that have long been part of church cookbook lore. They’re easier to share than a layer cake and just as nostalgic in taste. They feel like something the younger generation added without changing what everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Deviled Eggs Without Mustard

Deviled eggs are as Easter as pastel dresses and folding chairs, and this version keeps things simple while skipping the mustard. The creamy filling and classic presentation make it a must for any traditional holiday spread. They’re easy to prep ahead, travel well, and fit neatly into the kind of dishes that never leave the church table. These are the eggs that disappear before the ham is even carved.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Eggs Without Mustard

Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham

A glazed ham is the centerpiece of many Easter meals, and this one stays true to that tradition while adding a bit of rich flavor. The combination of maple and bourbon keeps things classic while giving the dish the deep sweetness people expect on a holiday. It’s easy to bake and makes plenty to go around—perfect for a post-service gathering or big family table. This is the kind of main dish that gets you remembered year after year.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham

Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

Coconut cream pie is the kind of dessert that has earned its place on Easter tables through generations of handwritten recipes. With a creamy filling and toasted topping, it looks and tastes like something straight out of a vintage church gathering. It’s make-ahead friendly, slices clean, and feels right at home next to Jell-O salad and ambrosia. This is the pie that somehow always tastes better after the hymns are sung.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie