When I was little, Easter used to mean baskets full of artificially dyed eggs, iridescent plastic shreds of grass, jelly beans and the kind of cheap, waxy chocolate that thrills a kid’s heart before they know what the really good stuff tastes like. I loved them, but it’s been decades since I had an Easter basket like this, and to be honest I hadn’t even really notice that this family tradition had slipped away.

Until, that is, I became a mom.

Now that I have a little one, I’m always overcome by the urge to make things feel just a little more magical for him--and that goes extra for the holidays! This year, we’re bringing back Easter baskets. Not the technicolor plastic baskets of my youth, though. This Easter, I’m filling a vintage basket with natural moss (see ya later, bright green shred of plastic “grass”), speckled eggs, spring flowers and of course, plenty of chocolate. I’m so grateful to my friends at Ghirardelli for inspiring that last part, and for letting my Easter basket imagination run wild with my dreams of a floral basket overflowing with chocolate goodies. I used handfuls of Ghirardelli bite-sized Milk Chocolate Caramel Bunnies and Dark Chocolate Eggs with indulgent sea salt caramel centers to build my basket, along with a few classic large Chocolate Bunnies at the center. Thanks to Ghirardelli, my child will know what the really good stuff tastes like from the very beginning (seriously though, why waste time with anything else?). After all, we’re starting our new family traditions from scratch here, and finely crafted bean-to-bar chocolate is all part of the plan!

Here’s another thing I’ve learned since starting a family...it’s important to carve out moments for yourself once in a while. It’s also important to make sure there’s an extra chocolate bunny laying around that doesn’t quite make it into the basket. You know, for when Mama needs to have a “chocolate moment” all to herself.

In my family, we may have let the basket tradition lapse years ago, but one thing that’s only grown stronger over the years is our Easter brunch tradition. It’s a multi-generational affair that usually has us gathering at my parents’ house to celebrate and feast. Dad makes an enormous ham (that typically has us making leftover sandwiches and salad for weeks), my brother invents something complicated and delicious, and my mom puts together an epic tablescape. I’m planning to contribute a flower & chocolate-filled basket to the brunch table, of course…..as soon as we’re done with breakfast, I’m sure everything will be devoured right down to the last chocolate bunny!

This year, I’m also treating us to a simple but elegant version of (what else?) carrot cake, layered with creamy frosting and a fluffy layer of coconut on top. Crowning the top of the cake, as an extra sweet treat? A ring of Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Eggs, meticulously arranged so that everyone gets one on each slice. The hint of smooth dark chocolate and rich caramel in every bite makes this cake irresistible...it might just be delicious enough to start a new Easter tradition!

My huge thanks goes out to Ghirardelli for sponsoring this post and encouraging me to develop these treats to share with you! All recipes and opinions expressed in this post are, as always, 100% my own. To find out more about Ghirardelli Easter Inspiration click here!

Cardamom Carrot Easter Cake with Chocolate Egg Garnish

Makes: One 3-layer cake

Ingredients:

4 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1½ teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil (plus a little extra, for the pans)
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
3 cups grated carrot

For the cream cheese frosting:

1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter
12 oz whipped cream cheese (room temperature)
4 cups of powdered confectioner’s sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

To garnish:

Sweetened coconut flakes
8 Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Eggs

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease three 6” pans (or bake one at a time if you don’t own three, cooling the pan fully in between) with vegetable oil and dust lightly with flour. It’s a good idea to line the bottoms with a circle of parchment paper, too.

Place flour, sugars, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and cardamom in a large bowl and stir until combined. Place eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla in a smaller bowl and whisk until combined. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients slowly, whisking just until smooth. Gently fold in pecans and grated carrot.

Divide the batter evenly between the pans and bake for 40-50 minutes (times will vary according to oven, but each layer should be browned and puffed, and a tester inserted into the middle should come out clean). Remove and let cool completely.

While cake is baking, beat butter and cream cheese together in stand mixer for several minutes on medium speed, until completely smooth. Scrape down sides of bowl with a rubber spatula as you go. Beat in vanilla. Lower mixer speed to low and begin adding sugar one cup at a time, continuing to stop once in a while and scrape sides of bowl. Adjust to your preferred thickness and level of sweetness as you go, adding up to four cups of sugar.

Assemble cake with frosting in between each layer and all over the outside. Sprinkle top generously with sweetened coconut flakes. Garnish with 8 Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Eggs, one for each slice. Happy Easter!