Recipes: Sweet, Sweet Spring

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

Each cupcake combines a dense, buttery pound cake, a whole strawberry, and a dollop of cream cheese frosting. Involve the kids in making these treats with a sweet surprise. (Via ladybehindthecurtain.com)

Meyer Lemon Pastry

Everyone wins with this sophisticated and easy-to-make Meyer lemon pastry. It is perfect for pleasing a crowd this easter season, and kids will love the tart-sweet taste of Meyer lemons. (Via marthastewart.com)

Carrot Cake

Nothing says spring like a classic carrot cake. Although this recipe is a little more time-consuming, it is well worth the effort! Start a spring-time family tradition this week and indulge in some carrot cake! (Via gimmesomeoven.com)

Carrot Cake Cookies

For those of us who want the delicious taste and moist texture of carrot cake with whipped cream cheese frosting, but don't want the hassle of making a layer cake, try these sandwich cookies. Get the kids involved in stacking them for a fun family activity. (Via cookingclassy.com)

Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake

For a sophisticated cake that kids will love, try this lemon blueberry layer cake. Bursting with color, texture, and the tastes of butter, blueberries, and lemon, this is the perfect dessert for your spring table, or even a spring birthday surprise! (Via sallysbakingaddiction.com)

Pastel Rainbow Ruffle Cake

This cake recipe is really a family project. Get the kids involved in coloring, kneading, rolling, cutting, and assembling the fondant. This cake is the perfect springtime birthday centerpiece. (Via bubbleandsweet.blogspot.com)

Easy Vanilla Cheesecake

This vanilla cheesecake recipe uses cookies for the crust, and a classic combination of cream cheese, cream, and sugar for the filling. Cheesecake is always a classic choice for springtime, or anytime. Hint: get creative with the topping by trying out different fresh and dried fruits and berries. (Via jamieloliver.com)

Dairy-Free Pistachio Pudding

The color of this pistachio pudding screams spring, and your dining partners will never know that the surprise ingredient of this recipe is avocado. This spring, eat your vegetables for dessert, as the avocado provides not only health benefits, but a perfect pudding texture. As a bonus, this pudding is ready in under five minutes in the food processor.

Rhubarb Crumble

Serve this rhubarb crumble with a side of Greek yogurt for breakfast, or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. Enjoy this often under-appreciated spring produce as a quick weekday dish or to please a crowd this spring season. (Via oprah.com)

Peanut Butter Eggs

Try this simple, five-ingredient, vegan, gluten-free version of the Easter candy classic, Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs. (Via minimalistbaker.com)

Flourless Whole Meyer Lemon Cake

Highlight the tangy taste of Meyer lemons with the flourless cake recipe. (Via theviewfromgreatisland.com)