The Best Spring Recipe in Every State (2024)

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Everyone coast to coast is looking forward to spring! Check out our readers' best recipes from each state.

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Alabama: Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie

For my mother’s birthday, I made this strawberry pie recipe instead of a cake. Since it was mid-May in Oklahoma, the berries were absolutely perfect. It was a memorable occasion for the whole family. —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama

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Alaska: Rhubarb Custard Cake

Rhubarb thrives in my northern garden and is one of the few crops the pesky moose don’t bother! Of all the desserts I’ve tried, this rhubarb custard cake is my first choice. It has old-fashioned appeal but is so simple to prepare. —Evelyn Gebhardt, Kasilof, Alaska

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Arkansas: Creamy Baked Eggs with Chives

This recipe is so simple, and the eggs come out just as my husband likes them every time. If you like soft yolks, cook eggs for 9 minutes; for firmer yolks, cook for about 11 minutes. Don’t forget fresh spring chives for more flavor! —Macey Allen, Green Forest, Arkansas

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California: Easter Ham

I serve this Easter ham every year. The sweet-spicy glaze turns a plain ham into a mouthwatering sensation. Everyone who tries it loves this juicy main dish! —Jessica Eymann, Watsonville, California

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Colorado: Classic Lemon Bars

These bars are simple enough for a no-fuss dinner yet elegant enough for a special celebration. Regardless of when you serve them, they’ll be a hit. —Melissa Mosness, Loveland, Colorado

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Ham and Brie Melts

Melty cheese, ham and apricot preserves offer a special change of pace from the classic grilled cheese. These quick, crispy sandwiches remind me of baked brie. —Bonnie Bahler, Ellington, Connecticut

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Delaware: Can't Miss Coconut Custard Pie

This soft custard pie has a mild coconut flavor. Who wouldn’t love a hearty slice topped with a dollop of whipped cream? —Betty Swain, Bear, Delaware

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Florida: Overnight Asparagus and Egg Bake

This easy asparagus and egg bake is great for holiday mornings, especially when we have overnight guests. All you need is a fruit salad, and breakfast is served! —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida

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Georgia: Strawberry Jam Cake

Every year I make this special strawberry jam cake, my favorite strawberry dessert, for the Relay for Life cake raffle. It has raised lots of money for a good cause. —Tammy Urbina, Warner Robins, Georgia

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Idaho: Yogurt Pancakes

Get your day off to a great start with these yummy pancakes. Short on time? Make a batch on the weekend! — Cheryll Baber, Homedale, Idaho

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Overnight Cherry Danish

These rolls with their cherry-filled centers melt in your mouth and store well unfrosted in the freezer. —Leann Sauder, Tremont, Illinois

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Indiana: Amish Breakfast Casserole

We enjoyed hearty breakfast casseroles during a visit to an Amish inn. When I asked for a recipe, one of the women told me the ingredients right off the top of her head. I modified it a bit to create this version that my family loves. —Beth Notaro, Kokomo, Indiana

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Creamed Garden Potatoes and Peas

New potatoes and peas are treated to a creamy sauce for this special side. —Jane Uphoff, Cunningham, Kansas

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Kentucky: Lemon Chess Pie

This bright and creamy lemon chess pie cuts beautifully and has a smooth texture. It’s one of my favorites. —Hannah LaRue Rider, East Point, Kentucky

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Louisiana: New Orleans Beignets

These sweet, square and holeless French doughnuts are known as beignets. New Orleans’ traditional breakfast always includes a few of these powdered sugar delicacies. —Beth Dawson, Jackson, Louisiana

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Maine: Spanakopita Pinwheels

I’m enthralled with spanakopita, and this spinach and feta pinwheel recipe was a quick and easy way to enjoy it. I have used this for teacher get-togethers and family events. —Ryan Palmer, Windham, Maine

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Maryland: Shrimp Pasta Primavera

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. So when I invite that special guy to dinner, I like to prepare something equally wonderful. This well-seasoned pasta dish has lots of flavor, and it won’t hurt your budget! —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland

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Tuscan-Style Roasted Asparagus

This is especially wonderful when locally grown asparagus is in season. It's so easy for celebrations because you can serve it hot or cold. —Jannine Fisk, Malden, Massachusetts

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Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan

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Minnesota: Ham and Swiss Sliders

My next-door neighbor shared this ham and Swiss sliders recipe with me, and I simply cannot improve it! You can make it ahead and cook it quickly when company arrives. The combo of poppy seeds, ham and cheese, horseradish and brown sugar makes it so delicious. —Iris Weihemuller, Baxter, Minnesota

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Brandy-Glazed Carrots

Carrots sport a light brandy sauce for a beautiful side with mass appeal. —Tammy Landry, Saucier, Mississippi

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Missouri: Upside-Down Strawberry Shortcake

For a tasty twist, this special shortcake has a berry layer on the bottom. The tempting strawberry upside-down cake is a sweet that our family has savored for years. —Debra Falkiner, St. Charles, Missouri

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Overnight Pancakes

Our kids love waking up to these golden, fluffy pancakes. The buttermilk batter is refrigerated overnight, making them perfect for busy mornings and special occasion breakfasts alike. —Lisa Sammons, Cut Bank, Montana

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Asparagus Ham Dinner

I've been making this low-fat ham dinner for my family for years, and we always look forward to it. With asparagus, tomato, pasta and chunks of ham, it's a tempting blend of tastes and textures. —Rhonda Zavodny, David City, Nebraska

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Nevada: Challah Bread Pudding

I created this challah bread pudding recipe after my mother-in-law told me that she liked bread pudding. I was on a mission to create a version that was so good she’d ask me for the recipe. It worked! This can be served for breakfast, brunch or dessert. —Marsha Ketaner, Henderson, Nevada

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New Hampshire: Rhubarb Crisp

I found this strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe on a box of Quaker Oats about 20 years ago. It’s quick and easier to make than pie. It’s versatile, too, because you can add strawberries in spring or apples in fall. I usually pop it into the oven shortly before we sit down to eat so it’s still warm for dessert! —C.E. Adams, Charlestown, New Hampshire

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New Jersey: Passover Rainbow Cookies

The name “rainbow cookies” is actually a bit of a misnomer for these classic New York treats. To make the pretty layered cookies, you’ll bake three thin cakes, spread jam between them and coat with smooth melted chocolate. —Shannon Sarna, South Orange, New Jersey

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New Mexico: Rhubarbecue

This simmered sauce is a roller-coaster ride for your tongue. It’s a wonderful blend of complex flavors that goes with any meat. — Rd Stendel-Freels, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

Although my coffee cake makes a large pan, it never lasts very long! It's great for a Sunday brunch after church and nice to bring to family reunions, too. —Dorothy Morehouse, Massena, New York

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North Carolina: Prosciutto Pasta Toss

I love quick, simple dishes, and this pasta with prosciutto and peas is one of my favorites. I prepare a tossed green salad while the pasta cooks and serve up a lovely light supper in minutes! —Laura Murphy-Ogden, Charlotte, North Carolina

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North Dakota: Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus with Raspberry Sauce

Grilling the prosciutto with the asparagus gives this dish a salty crunch that’s perfect for dipping into a sweet glaze. When a delicious appetizer is this easy to prepare, you owe it to yourself to try it! —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

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Ohio: Spring Pea Soup

Truly a soup for the pea lover, this recipe originated with an idea in an old cookbook about eating better to live longer. Sauteed potatoes add body to an easy soup with good texture and superb pea flavor. —Denise Patterson, Bainbridge, Ohio

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Oklahoma: Cheeseburger Pie

This cheeseburger pie tastes so much like its namesake—right down to the pickles in it! We home-school our children so I like easy recipes like this that get them involved in cooking. —Rhonda Cannady, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

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Oregon: Roast Leg of Lamb with Rosemary

Roast lamb is perfect for Eastertime or any special occasion. This succulent dish calls for a flavorful rosemary, garlic and onion rub.

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Rhode Island: Strawberry Rhubarb Cream

A friend gave me this recipe a long time ago. It’s rich and creamy yet refreshing. I make this often in early summer when rhubarb is readily available. —Norma DesRoches, Warwick, Rhode Island

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South Carolina: Lemon Yeast Puffs

The lemon flavor in these yeast muffins makes them unique. My husband is a minister, and we’re invited to many potlucks. People love these muffins.—Marilyn Davis, Elloree, South Carolina

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South Dakota: Old-Fashioned Rhubarb Cake

My great-aunt gave me this rhubarb cake recipe. It’s especially delicious when rhubarb is in season, and tastes even better with the old-fashioned milk topping. But you’ll love it even with frozen rhubarb and “modern-day” whipped topping! —Marilyn hom*ola, Hazel, South Dakota

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Tennessee: Moist Lazy Daisy Cake

We always called this Mama’s never-fail recipe. I guess the same holds true for me, since I’ve won contests with this lazy daisy cake. The tasty dessert always brings back fond memories of Mama. —Carrie Bartlett, Gallatin, Tennessee

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Texas: Easy Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

I adapted the recipe for these rich and creamy enchiladas from a cooking class I had a while back. —Janice Montiverdi, Sugar Land, Texas

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Utah: Sweet ‘n’ Tangy Carrots

With an irresistible brown sugar-mustard sauce, these simple simmered carrots bring bright flavor and color to the table. —Paula Zsiray, Logan, Utah

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Vermont: Dilled Salmon Omelets with Creme Fraiche

This is one of our biggest hits on our inn’s menu. It has so much flavor with the dill and rich salmon that it will impress everyone at how fancy it is.—Susan Goodman, Wilmington, Vermont

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Virginia: Sugar-Glazed Ham

This old-fashioned ham glaze gives a pretty, golden brown coating—just like Grandma used to make. The mustard and vinegar complement the brown sugar which adds a tangy flavor to this glazed ham recipe. Be prepared to serve seconds, but first learn how to carve a ham! —Carol Strong Battle, Heathville, Virginia

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Washington: Toasted Chicken Salad Sandwiches

I love chicken salad sandwiches. For this recipe, I use a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket and toss it with avocado oil mayonnaise, capers and dill relish, then layer it on crusty bread with sliced radishes and butter lettuce. You can vary the flavor by adding herbs or some finely diced roasted red peppers. —David Ross, Spokane Valley, Washington

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West Virginia: Easter Egg Bread

I’ve made this Easter treat for 20 years! Colored hard-cooked eggs baked in the dough give this sweet bread such a festive look. Leave them out and it can be enjoyed anytime of year. My husband especially enjoys this bread with baked ham. —Heather Durante, Wellsburg, West Virginia

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Wisconsin: Vertical Carrot Cake

This vertical spin on a cherished classic is packed with spices and sure to impress. The brown butter cream cheese frosting truly takes the cake over the top! —Mark Neufang, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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If you love scalloped potatoes, this downsized version with tender chunks of ham is just for you. The cozy, comforting entree comes courtesy of Wendy Rowley from Green River, Wyoming.

As Senior Shopping Editor, Katie connects Taste of Home readers with the best gifts, deals and home products on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments.When she’s out of the office, you’ll find her exploring Wisconsin, trying out new vegetarian recipes and watching Christmas movies.

Lisa is a formerTaste of Home editor and passionate baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa also dedicated her career here to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.