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1. Poland, Catholic
Families break their Lenten fast with Babka, a sweet, braided bread studded with raisins, and Mazurek, a flat cake layered with jam, nuts, or caramel. Eggs are dyed, blessed, and cracked for luck.
2. Serbia, Orthodox
Serbian Pascha tables are meat-heavy after Lent, but sweets shine with česnica, a sweet bread sometimes hiding a coin for luck. Food baskets are blessed at church.
3. Spain, Catholic
Torrijas — bread soaked in milk, egg, and sugar, then fried and dusted with cinnamon — are the sweet standout, often paired with mona de Pascua, a cake gifted by godparents. Chocolate eggs abound.
4. Greece, Orthodox
Red-dyed eggs, symbolizing Christ’s blood, are cracked in a game where the last uncracked egg wins. The sweet star is Tsoureki, a braided bread laced with orange zest and mahleb, often topped with a red egg.
5. Mexico, Catholic
Capirotada, a bread pudding spiked with cinnamon, cloves, and piloncillo syrup, symbolizes Christ’s suffering (nuts and raisins represent nails and blood). Chocolate eggs and Rosca de Pascua (a sweet ring bread) add flair.
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6. Ukraine, Orthodox
Paska bread, topped with crosses, joins pysanky (intricate wax-dyed eggs) as table stars. Sweet cheese spreads and syrnyk (cheese tarts) add richness. Ukrainian Orthodox bless baskets of food on Holy Saturday.
7. Portugal, Catholic
Folar de Páscoa, a round bread sometimes baked with boiled eggs or spiced with cinnamon, takes center stage. Almond cakes and pão de ló (sponge cake) add richness.
8. Romania, Orthodox
Cozonac, a sweet, swirled bread stuffed with walnuts, poppy seeds, or Turkish delight, dominates the table. Red eggs are cracked for luck, paired with drob (lamb haggis). Food baskets are blessed at church.
9. Italy, Catholic
The sweet queen is Colomba, a dove-shaped cake rich with candied fruit and almonds, symbolizing peace. Tables might also feature Pastiera, a Neapolitan ricotta pie with wheat berries and citrus. Chocolate eggs are everywhere.
10. Russia, Orthodox
The table is crowned with Kulich, a tall, cylindrical bread with white icing and “XB” (Christ is Risen) written usually in sprinkles, paired with Paskha, a pyramid-shaped cheesecake of farmer’s cheese, raisins, and nuts. Red eggs are blessed and cracked.
11. Croatia, Catholic
Pinca, a sweet, citrusy bun marked with a cross, pairs with smoked ham and painted eggs. Chocolate eggs delight kids. Croatian Catholics embrace regional flair — coastal tables might include seafood, while inland ones lean into ham.
12. Bulgaria, Orthodox
Kozunak, a braided sweet bread with lemon zest or raisins, anchors the table alongside red eggs dyed in intricate patterns. Lamb and banitsa (cheese pastry) complete the spread. Bulgarian Orthodox bless their food at church.
13. Brazil, Catholic
Pão de mel (honey-spiced gingerbread with dulce de leche) and brigadeiro (chocolate truffles) lead the sweets. Chocolate eggs, often filled with more candy, thrill kids. Tables blend Portuguese roots (cod dishes) with local staples (feijoada).
From Poland’s mazurek to Bulgaria’s kozunak, whether you’re eating chocolate in Brazil or cracking red eggs in Romania, Easter speaks of renewal and community.
Grab a sweet bread and dig in.
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