65 Easter Dinner Ideas: Mains, Sides, And Desserts For The Holiday Feast

Get fresh recipe inspiration for every kind of Easter gathering.

By

Alana Al-Hatlani

Updated on February 21, 2024

Southern Living Lemon Roast Chicken With Rainbow Carrots in roasting pan — Photo:
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

It's easy to find yourself boxed into making the same dishes for Easter every year. Even if you aren't sick of serving ham or lamb, you might want to mix up how you cook the centerpieces of the meal. Maybe a chicken is more appropriate for the size of your gatherings, especially if you don't want tons of leftovers. Perhaps it's the sides you need help with. These are our our favorite Easter dinner ideas, including carrots, glazed hams, cakes, and of course, plenty of casseroles

No matter the course or type of Easter feast, we have recipes for classic and new-school takes on all the staples. From casseroles to cakes, and everything in between, these are the Easter dinner recipes we reach for when entertaining.

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Sweet Tea-Brined Ham With Lemon Glaze

Southern Living Sweet Tea Brined Ham with Lemon Glaze on a platter to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

We used sweet tea to make the ultimate Southern ham. Just make sure to use an unseasoned ham so you can fully enjoy the flavors of this recipe.

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Corn Pudding Casserole

corn pudding casserole - southern living — Courtney West

Corn pudding is easy to make, yet is still impressive enough to be on the menu for Easter dinner. Plus, you can assemble the casserole the day before and keep it in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake.

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Classic Coconut Cake

Southern Living Classic Coconut Cake — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Your Easter dinner guests just may be tempted to eat dessert before the main meal when they see this decadent dessert sitting on the cake stand.

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Classic Make-Ahead Macaroni And Cheese

Classic Make-Ahead Macaroni And Cheese — Photographer: James Ransom; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

What's better than homemade mac and cheese? One that you can make ahead of time to make preparing the Easter meal a little easier.

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Pull-Apart Butter Roll Loaves

Pull-Apart Butter Roll Loaves on a marble serving dish — Photo: James Ransom; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

While we sometimes rely on store-bought rolls, Easter Sunday is an occasion that deserves a homemade bread. Don't skip the flaky sea salt and fresh rosemary which add flavor and create a pretty presentation.

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Classic Deviled Eggs

Classic Deviled Eggs — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Of course it's not Easter without deviled eggs. You may even want to double this recipe.

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Glazed Ham with Pineapple Chutney

Glazed Ham with Pineapple Chutney — Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

If your go-to pizza order is Hawaiian, then this is the ham recipe for you. Even if it's not, this recipe will still impress.

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Easy Bunny Cake

Southern Living Bunny Cake on a table with forks, plates, and extra candy — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Some cakes with 'easy' in the title still end up being a huge undertaking, but not this cake. It's as straightforward as it is cute, and it's a great recipe to get the kids involved with.

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Spice-Rubbed Tenderloin with Mustard-Cream Sauce

Spice-Rubbed Tenderloin with Mustard-Cream Sauce

A rosy-centered tenderloin is the perfect centerpiece to an Easter feast for those who don't eat or want ham.

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Lemon Lush

Two slices of Lemon Lush dessert on plates with forks with a glass of lemonade and a napkin. — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

The best part about this layered dessert is that no oven is required. It can also be assembled well in advance and then sliced when everyone is ready for dessert.

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Asparagus Gratin

Asparagus Gratin — Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin

The ideal way to eat veggies is blanketed in cream and cheese. Although you could give any vegetable this decadent treatment, we think asparagus is the perfect seasonal choice.

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Roasted Carrot Soup

Roasted Carrot Soup — Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Warm up the dinner table for the main course by serving this carrot soup as an appetizer. Homemade croutons are the ideal finishing touch.

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Slow-Cooker Green Beans

Southern Living Slow Cooker Green beans in a bowl to serve — Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Let your trusty slow cooker handle the green beans so there's plenty of room in the oven for the ham and casseroles.

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Best Carrot Cake

Best Carrot Cake — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

We're pretty sure the Easter Bunny will be happy to see carrot cake on the menu.

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Brown Sugar Bourbon-Glazed Ham

Brown Sugar-Bourbon-Glazed Ham — Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Though this recipe starts with a cooked ham, a decadent homemade glaze will transform it into a delicious Easter centerpiece. Basting throughout the cook time will ensure it stays tender and moist.

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Resurrection Rolls

Resurrection Rolls - Southern Living — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

The sweetest part of these rolls isn't the taste. It's the fact that the represent the true meaning of Easter.

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Carrot Cake Bars

Carrot Cake Bars — Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin

If you want to serve carrot cake on Easter Sunday but don't have the time to commit to a layer cake, these bars will deliver the same great flavors.

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Pineapple Casserole

Southern Living Pineapple Casserole serving on a plate — Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

The uniquely Southern combination of canned pineapple chunks, Cheddar cheese, and crispy Ritz crackers will always have a spot on our Easter dinner lineup.

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Slow-Cooker Ham

Southern Living Slow Cooker Ham finishing the ham with more glaze — Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Don't monopolize oven space with a ham. Use our slow-cooker method and free up the oven for all sorts of sides and desserts.

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Carrot Soufflé

Carrot Souffle — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Everyone will love eating their carrots on Easter Sunday when you serve them up in soufflé form.

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Lemon Meringue Cheesecake

Lemon Meringue Cheesecake — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This twist on the flavors of the classic pie is an impressive way to finish Easter dinner.

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Asparagus with Cheese Sauce and Herb Breadcrumbs

Asparagus with Cheese Sauce and Herb Breadcrumbs — Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This refined looking side couldn't be easier to put together. Double the delicious breadcrumb mixture to use on top of pasta or casseroles later in the week.

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Romaine Salad With Oranges And Radishes

Southern Living Romaine Salad With Oranges and Radishes on serving platter — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Every holiday table needs something green, and this crunchy romaine salad with juicy orange segments is as colorful as it is flavorful.

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Potato-And-Rutabaga Gratin

Southern Living Potato-and-Rutabaga Gratin Recipe in baking dish — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

For a healthier take on the classic cheesy side, we use rutabagas as well as potatoes and lean on nutty Gruyére cheese for added flavor.

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Easter Egg Lemon Cake With Whipped Cream Topping

Easter Egg Lemon Cake With Whipped Cream Topping — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Everyone will be hunting for a second slice of this Easter egg sheet cake after dinner.

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Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird Cake - Southern Living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

There isn't an occasion in the South that a Hummingbird Cake isn't welcome to.

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Lemon Roast Chicken With Rainbow Carrots

Southern Living Lemon Roast Chicken With Rainbow Carrots in roasting pan — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

A spring chicken for Easter? Sounds great to us.

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Ginger Carrots

Southern Living Ginger Carrots — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Orange juice, ginger, and butter make these carrot coins a great zesty side for ham, lamb, and chicken.

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Roasted Lamb With Fresh-Herb Sauce

Southern Living Roasted Lamb With Fresh-Herb Sauce on serving platter — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

The herb-and-garlic mixture in this lamb recipe doubles as a marinade and serving sauce. With just the right amount of lemon, it’s a tangy, herby punch of flavor that balances the rich roasted lamb.

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Chicken-And-Rice Bake With Broccolini

Southern Living Chicken-and-Rice Bake with Broccolini in pan with serving spoon — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

A comforting casserole is welcomed on any holiday, and this quick chicken and rice bake happens to be as easy as it is cozy.

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Prime Rib With Horseradish Dipping Sauce

Prime Rib With Horseradish Dipping Sauce — Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Swap lamb for beef this Easter with a prime rib roast that is bound to impress all your relatives.

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Creamy Spring Vegetable Slaw

Creamy Spring Vegetable Slaw — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Like colorful confetti, this salad is the festive addition to the Easter table you need.

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Maple-Bourbon Glazed Ham

maple bourbon glazed ham — Photographer: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Maple and bourbon are a perfect flavor pairing, especially when used to glaze ham.

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Baked Pork Tenderloin

Baked Pork Tenderloin with Shaved Vegetable Salad — Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

If you want to serve pork, but not a ham, try a pork tenderloin. This cut is not only less expensive, but cooks up in no time.

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Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

garlic parmesan green beans — Photographer: Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Every Easter dinner needs a straightforward vegetable side with bacon and this recipe is exactly that.

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Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli

Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Salty Parmesan, spicy baby arugula leaves, and creamy white beans combine to form a hearty salad perfect for vegetarian guests or carnivores craving greens.

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Mac And Cheese With Ham

Southern Living Mac And Cheese With Ham — Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayliss

Don't limit ham to the main dish; throw it into a classic side too!

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Lemon Tiramisu

Lemon Tiramisu — Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

Try this spring version of the classic Italian dessert. This version may not contain coffee, but it's packed with zingy lemon flavor.

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Deep-Dish Ham Pot Pie

Deep-Dish Ham Pot Pie — Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Pot pies don't always have to be chicken. Even if you don't want to serve this for Easter dinner, save the recipe for ham leftovers later in the week.

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Scalloped Potatoes With Ham

Scalloped Potatoes with Ham — Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

You can't go wrong with cheesy scalloped potatoes. With added ham, they're even more delicious, if that's possible.

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Hot Cross Buns

hot cross buns - southern living — Molly Bolton

It wouldn't be Easter without Hot Cross Buns, whether you serve them with dinner or as dessert.

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Strawberry Patch Cake

Southern Living Strawberry Patch Cake sliced on plates to serve — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Freeze-dried strawberries lend the frosting its vibrant pink hue and sweet strawberry flavor.

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Carrot Cake With Maple-Cream Cheese Frosting

Southern Living Carrot Cake With Maple-Cream Cheese Frosting cut on serving platter — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Easier to assemble than a layer cake, this carrot cake is an adorable way to serve the Easter classic without the hassle.

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Old-School Squash Casserole

Old-School Squash Casserole in a green casserole dish — Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman

This classic casserole is the most searched for in the South and for good reason. Filled with butter and cheese-smothered squash, it's an assured crowd-pleaser.

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Easter Egg Cake

Easter Egg Cake — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

Robins egg blue might be our favorite cake color of all time. Topped with candy eggs and a coconut nest, this cake is almost too pretty eat. Almost.

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Strawberry Pound Cake

Southern Living Strawberry Pound Cake on a platter to serve — Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

We all love a classic pound cake, but the addition of fresh strawberries throughout this recipe make it extra festive for spring celebrations.

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Chocolate Chick Cake

Southern Living Chocolate Chick Cake — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Spring desserts are often filled with rhubarb, lemon, and strawberries, but this cake appeals to the chocolate lovers attending Easter this year.

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Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie Recipe

Strawberry Pretzel Icebox Pie — JENNIFER DAVICK

Turn your favorite salad into a memorable dessert. Top with fresh strawberries and lots of whipped cream for a sweet finish to Easter festivities.

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Slow-Cooker Pork Roast

Slow-Cooker Pork Roast with Carrots, Turnips, and Potatoes — Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Break out the slow-cooker and relax, this recipe practically cooks itself.

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Sautéed Radishes with Bacon

Sauteed Radishes with Bacon — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Radishes are crisp and a little spicy, making them a perfect pair for smoky and fatty bacon.

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Parker House Rolls

Parker House Rolls — Photographer: Alison Miksch / Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn / Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

While store-bought rolls are fine, they can't compare to homemade. Especially when eaten warm straight out of the oven.

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Oven-Roasted Corn On The Cob

Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob — PHOTOGRAPHER: FRED HARDY II, FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL, PROPS STYLIST: CHRISTINA BROCKMAN

You don't need to fire up the grill to serve perfect corn on the cob this Easter.

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Easter Birds' Nest Coconut Cupcakes

Easter Birds' Nest Coconut Cupcakes — Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This coconut cupcake recipe is lighter and more tender than a boxed mix, and is enriched with extra coconut flavor thanks to the coconut milk in the batter.

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Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs

Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This spin on a Caesar salad uses Greek yogurt to lighten up the dressing; and you'll need at least one lighter side to balance Easter dinner out.

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Watergate Salad

Watergate Salad — Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Every Easter meal needs one nostalgic side, so may we suggest this Jell-O salad? The maraschino cherry on top helps pull together the fluffy, simple dessert.

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Herbed Chicken-and-Rice Salad

Herbed Chicken-and-Rice Salad — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Chicken and rice are Southern staples, so why not serve them together in a salad as one of your many Easter sides? Lots of tender herbs and a bright lemon dressing give the salad plenty of vivid colors and a fresh taste.

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Chocolate Poke Cake

Chocolate Poke Cake — Stacy Allen, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke, Food Stylist: Jen Riley

Store-bought shortcuts like cake mix and instant pudding make this dessert easy to whip together after a long day of cooking Easter mains and sides.

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Lemon Granita

three cups of lemon granita on marble with a striped yellow napkin — Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Here's a dessert for all the non-bakers out there. The frozen treat is easy to make, but still feels fancy.

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Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad

Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Salad is a flexible term in the South and this is one of the salads that stretch the definition of the term. Nonetheless, it's a delicious addition to the Easter table.

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Éclair Cake

Eclair Cake — Molly Bolton

This cake has all the flavor of the French pastry, but none of the technical skill required.

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Ambrosia Trifle

Ambrosia Trifle — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Giulietta Pinna; Food Styling: Ali Ramee

Ambrosia doesn't have to be only for Christmas. Assembled into a trifle, it's a lovely way to end Easter with the family.

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Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder

Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder — Alison Miksch

Pork shoulder doesn't always have to mean barbecue. Braised in apple cider, honey, and mustard, it becomes a meaty main perfect for Easter entertaining.

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Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Southern Living roasted fingerling potatoes recipe in serving bowl with forks and plates beside — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

For a fancier potato side dish, give these slender potatoes a try. Roasting turns them crispy and tender. The butter-and-herb coating is all the flavor you need.

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Glazed Spiral-Cut Ham

Glazed spiral-cut ham on white platter — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford

One ham, three glazes. Pick the one that matches your meal's flavors, and use the fail-proof glaze ham recipe to turn it into a centerpiece.

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Cheesecake Fruit Salad

Southern Living Cheesecake Fruit Salad in a bowl to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A creamy way to enjoy this fresh, colorful side.

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