With a long weekend stretching out in front of you, there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate with friends and family and share some homemade Easter goodies. Here are some seasonal baking ideas for you to try, from traditional classics to quick and easy treats to make with the kids.

Traditionally eaten on Good Friday, with the bun’s cross symbolising the crucifixion, these days hot cross buns are so popular they seem to appear on supermarket and bakery shelves not long after Christmas. But once you’ve used this simple step by step recipe to make your own with your stand mixer, you won’t want to go back to shop bought again. The dough tool ensures the fruit and spices are evenly incorporated throughout the dough, while the beauty of making your own is you can make them as fruity or spiced as you like. Or why not change things up by adding different spices like cardamom, saffron or cinnamon, or even chocolate, caramel or cranberries to give these classic Easter treats a special twist.

Best enjoyed still warm from the oven or lightly toasted, and topped with plenty of butter.

Taking under 30 minutes to prepare using your stand mixer, kids will love to help make and decorate these lightly spiced fruit biscuits- and we guarantee that everyone will enjoy eating them.

Decorated with flaked coconut and with an iced vanilla sponge, this Easter nest cake makes a nice change from all that chocolate.  While it takes a bit of patience and a delicate hand to decorate, the cake itself takes no time at all to prepare using your stand mixer, with all the wet and dry ingredients going into the bowl together.  A stunning centrepiece for any special gathering over the Easter weekend.

Te złociste gniazdka z ciasta odzwierciedlają włoskie umiłowanie do pięknej formy. Tradycyjnie są spożywane na śniadanie w Niedzielę Wielkanocną a wykonuje się je ze słodkiej brioszki i dekoruje jajkiem w środku. I choć wyglądają niezwykle efektownie, są zaskakująco proste w przygotowaniu. Nasz przepis pokaże Ci, jak używają kCook Multi do mieszania i potwierdzania ciasta, wyczarujesz je na święta. Pomysły na dekorację pozostawimy już Twojej wyobraźni.

Simnel to tradycyjne angielskie ciasto wielkanocne, ozdobione 11 kulkami marcepanu, które symbolizują 11 wiernych apostołów (z pominięciem Judasza). Pełne suszonych owoców, lekkie, cudownie słodkie i wilgotne zachwyci Twoich gości, a dodatek aromatycznego brandy nadaje mu wyjątkowej głębi smaku. 

Take this year’s chocolate treats to the next level by making your own one of a kind eggs. Use your Cooking Chef XL and a large egg mould to make your own dark, milk or white chocolate egg and then get creative with the decorations- it’s a great activity to get the kids involved in. Use icing or melted chocolate (in a different colour to the egg) to create patterns or personalise by writing someone’s name or a seasonal greeting. Or simply stick on chocolate buttons, sweets or candied fruit. For an egg-stra special Easter gift, tie your egg with ribbon or wrap in cellophane or tissue paper.

These delicious doughnut-like pastries are a popular French street food originating from south eastern France, traditionally made just before Lent. Make the pastry using your stand mixer and the dough tool attachment, before cutting into diamond shapes and deep frying. Sprinkle with icing sugar and enjoy while still warm with your morning coffee. Be warned, eating just one is never enough.