After the main meal is cleared, family and guests can relish in any number of sweet offerings. From pastries to coconut-covered cakes cut in the shapes of bunnies, there’s often no shortage of tasty options. Carrot cake is a traditional dessert to serve after Easter dinner. Since it has shredded carrots mixed into the batter, it may be challenging to keep the Easter Bunny away, especially after whipping up this recipe for “Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting,” courtesy of the Food Network Kitchen.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

Cooking spray

2 cups pecan halves

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Kosher salt

4 large eggs

2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

3 cups finely grated carrots (about 1 pound carrots)

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Frosting:

1 pound cream cheese, cut into cubes, at room temperature

2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into cubes, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Kosher salt

1/4 cup heavy cream, cold

1. For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment and lightly coat with cooking spray.

2. Spread the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until light brown and fragrant, 7 minutes. Set aside 12 pecan halves to decorate the finished cake. Set aside 1 cup of the chopped pecans to use in the batter; reserve the rest for decorating the finished cake.

3. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.

4. Whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar in a large bowl until smooth, about 1 minute. Whisk in the oil until well combined. Add the grated carrots, vanilla and 1 cup chopped pecans, and mix well. Add the dry ingredients, and stir until just combined. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.

5. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cakes are nicely browned, about 30 minutes. Let cool on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Loosen the edges with a spatula, turn the cakes out and let cool completely, right-side up, on the cooling rack, about 2 hours. Remove the parchment before frosting.

6. For the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, scraping down the side as necessary, until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon salt; gradually increase the mixer speed to medium-high, and beat until the sugar is incorporated and the frosting is fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes. With the mixer on medium-high, add the cream a few drops at a time until it’s all incorporated. Continue beating for 1 more minute until the frosting is slightly lighter in color and creamy.

7. To assemble: Place one of the cake layers on a serving plate, and spread 1 cup of the frosting over the top. Top with the other layer, and use the remaining frosting to frost the top and sides of the cake.

Arrange the 12 whole pecans on top of the cake like the numbers on a clock face, and sprinkle the remaining chopped pecans in between. Serves 10.

Easter is a day of spiritual reflection and celebration, and also an opportunity to gather with family members for a delicious dinner.

Traditional main courses for Easter include lamb and ham, so home cooks may want to select side dishes that can work with both. Sweet potatoes are a healthy option that also are tasty and nutritious. While some people associate sweet potatoes with the marshmallow-covered dish common around Thanksgiving, they can be sweet or savory, depending on preference. This recipe for “Savory Sweet Potato Mash” makes a delicious side dish worth enjoying. Try it, courtesy of “Danielle Walker’s Eat What You Love.” (Ten Speed Press).

Savory Sweet Potato Mash

3 pounds Garnet sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

1/2 cup almond milk

1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup melted ghee

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme, plus whole leaves for garnish

Place the sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring the potatoes to a boil over high heat, then turn the heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 18 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the heat, drain the water from the pan, then return the potatoes to the pan.

Add the almond milk, salt and pepper to the potatoes and use a potato masher to mash to your desired consistency. Drizzle with the ghee, sprinkle in the chopped thyme, and stir gently until just combined. Garnish with thyme leaves and serve warm.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. Reheat in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until heated through, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Serves 4 to 6.