Baking Memories & Easy Easter Desserts: A Slow Sunday Filled with Love

There’s something magical about waking up to the smell of cinnamon and vanilla swirling through the house on a slow Easter morning—especially when tiny feet are running around with chocolate-stained smiles and big bunny stuffies in tow.

Easter morning was everything I wanted it to be—slow, sweet, and full of togetherness. The boys started their day unwrapping Easter gifts—some candy, and two big, plush bunny stuffies they immediately hugged like old friends. We had breakfast as a family while the smell of sage sausage filled the kitchen. There was laughter, sugar-fueled excitement, and eventually, a much-needed run around the yard to burn off the jellybeans. Meanwhile, Jerry got the smoker going for the chicken we were bringing to my mom’s for dinner.

Inside, our home smelled like the night before—warm cinnamon from the carrot cake and sweet vanilla from the bunny cake, both cooling on the counter overnight. That scent is one I want my kids to remember forever.

Baking Together: The Heart Behind the Whisk

When I bake with the boys, it’s not about getting it perfect. It’s about being together, slowing down, and showing them the kind of love that gets poured into every spoonful. For us, baking is more than a recipe—it’s a tradition, a lesson, and a memory in the making.

We started with this amazing carrot cake recipe from Southern Living. The boys helped mix the wet ingredients first—eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla—before carefully folding in the dry mix. Then came the fun stuff: shredded carrots, crushed pineapple, and sweet coconut. It got a little messy, but that’s part of the joy. There was flour on the counter and batter splatters on shirts, but also big smiles and “Can I taste it?” every few minutes.

While the cakes baked and filled the house with the scent of spice and sweetness, we talked about why we bake. I told them how baking is one way I show my love. I could see them really taking it in, connecting the dots between what we were doing and how it made them feel—safe, cared for, included.

Creating Sweet Traditions with Easy Easter Desserts

Later, the boys helped me frost the carrot cake, taking their time smoothing each layer with cream cheese frosting. They were so focused and proud, and honestly, they did a great job. It was one of those moments where I could feel time slowing down, even just for a bit.

Then came their favorite part—the bunny cake. This one’s become a tradition, partly because it’s one of those easy Easter desserts that’s also a showstopper, and partly because they get full creative control. After dyeing their Easter eggs, they were ready to decorate.

They covered the bunny in white frosting, then piped on the pink ears, black whiskers, and little eyes. One of them took on the challenge of the bow tie while the other focused on the bunny’s smile. I just watched—soaking it all in, snapping a few pictures, and feeling so much joy watching them work together.

Why We Bake: Love, Lessons, and Legacy

Baking like this—on a holiday, side by side—reminds me of what really matters. It teaches patience, creativity, and care. And honestly, it teaches me too. It reminds me to slow down, to be more present, and to let go of control in the name of connection.

I want my kids to remember these moments. Whether or not they choose to bake when they’re older, I hope these memories stick. I hope they think of the smell of vanilla and cinnamon, the way the frosting felt under the spatula, the laughter, the warmth, and the love.

The Root of It All: Faith, Family, and Food

Faith is a big part of why this time together feels so meaningful. For us, it’s about more than celebrating a holiday—it’s about nurturing a home where love is felt in daily routines, where structure brings comfort, and where teaching moments happen over cracked eggs and sticky hands.

This year, through two simple and sweet easy Easter desserts, I got to live out something that matters deeply to me: giving my kids not just a holiday, but a tradition. Not just a cake, but a memory.

And that’s what made it the sweetest Easter yet.

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Molly Ancel and Jerry Anderson are Minnesota-based real estate investors helping homeowners overcome financial challenges with flexible solutions. Former business professionals, they now focus on empowering families and strengthening communities. Learn about how they help at peerpointmn.com.