The only 5 dessert recipes you'll need this Easter, according to an Instagram Food blogger.

Our favourite time of year is steadily approaching. 

You know, the one where the shelves are chock-a-block with Easter-related items and even though they're probably made exactly the same way, you know that it'll be the best chocolate you eat all year. 

So, in preparation for this very special time, I’ve pulled together the best adult-friendly, Easter-themed dessert recipes that your guests will truly thank you for.

The best thing about some of these recipes? They contain a cheeky hint of alcohol, which I found at my local Cellarbrations store — the best place for all your Easter drinks (and alcoholic baking ingredients). 

The second best thing about these recipes? All of them contain pretty simple ingredients you most likely have already in your pantry. 

Happy cooking!

1. Decadent Red Wine Chocolate Cake

Image: Supplied.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups Barossa Valley Uppercut Shiraz
• Chocolate icing and left-over Easter Eggs to garnish

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C degrees. Grease a 24cm cake pan.

2. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.

3. Beat together butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time until combined. Add vanilla extract. 

4. Fold in the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating it with the wine in 2 additions, starting and ending with the flour. Do not over-mix.

5. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out on a wire rack to cool completely. 

6. Drizzle chocolate icing over the cake and decorate as you please with shaved chocolate, chocolate pieces or Easter eggs to serve.

7. Serve and enjoy!

2. Baileys Chocolate Mousse

Image: Supplied.

Ingredients

• 200mL Baileys Original
• 2 medium eggs, separated
• 150g dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 tsp unsalted butter
• 250mL double cream
• Chocolate shavings or eggs to garnish

Instructions

1. Melt the chocolate, allow to cool slightly then beat in the egg yolks and butter.

2. Lightly whip the cream and Baileys, then fold half into the chocolate mix.

3. Whisk the egg whites until just stiff, then fold with the chocolate mixture. Add pieces of chocolate until it melts.

4. Spoon half the chocolate mousse into four glasses, followed by some chocolate shavings and then half the cream.

5. Repeat the layers and top with the remaining chocolate shavings or some Easter eggs!

6. Put in the fridge for three hours before serving.

7. Serve and enjoy!

3. Mini Easter Cheesecakes

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp boiling water 
• 2 tsp powdered gelatine 
• 6 plain biscuits (chocolate or plain) 
• 20g butter, melted 
• 250g cream cheese, softened 
• 2 tbsp caster sugar 
• 1/4 cup cream, lightly whipped 
• 50g milk chocolate, melted 
• 8 chocolate mini Easter eggs 
• Cocoa powder, for dusting
• Dash of Baileys (optional)

Instructions

1. Place boiling water in a heatproof jug. Sprinkle with gelatine. Allow to sit for a moment, then whisk to dissolve gelatine.

2. Blitz biscuits until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add butter. Process to combine. Divide mixture between 8 paper or silicone cupcake liners and press mixture using a fork or base of shot glass. Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until firm.

3. Using an electric mixer or processer, beat cream cheese and sugar in a bowl until smooth. Add cooled dissolved gelatine mixture. Beat to combine. Fold in whipped cream, an optional dash of Baileys and melted chocolate. Gently fold mixture to create a swirled effect. Spoon evenly into liners.

4. Push 1 Easter egg into the centre of each cheesecake.

5. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight.

6. Remove cheesecakes from liners once set, then dust with cocoa. 

7. Serve and enjoy!

4. Easter Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs

Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.

2. Using an electric mixer, in a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until combined.

3. Beat in eggs. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing just until combined.

4. Divide dough in 2 sections and roll each section in 6mm thickness. Place in the fridge for around 30 minutes.

5. Heat oven to 180°C. Line baking sheets with baking paper. Cut out cookies using floured cookie cutters. Place on prepared sheets and chill at least 20 minutes before baking to help hold shape. Repeat process with any leftover dough.

6. Bake for around 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

7. Decorate using icing pens, Easter eggs and Easter decorations. 

8. Serve and enjoy!

5. Best-ever Vanilla Raspberry Sheet Cake

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 egg (room temp)
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt (my secret ingredient for a moist cake)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C. Grease approximately an 11-inch sheet, slice or brownie pan.

2. In a medium bowl combine the sugar, egg, yogurt, oil, milk, and vanilla then whisk until well combined. Set aside. 

3. In a separate large bowl stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. 

4. Add the dry ingredients into the wet and whisk until just combined. Do not over mix, as this will make the cake dense. Gently fold in the raspberries.

5. Pour the batter into the brownie pan.

7. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the pan comes out clean.

8. Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool before removing from the pan. 

To make sure you're stocked and ready for all your adults only Easter recipes, head to Cellarbrations. 

Feature Image: Supplied/Mamamia.