The 18 recipes we can't wait to make this April

Fresh produce and festive treats are coming at the perfect time.

Somehow, it's a new month already—but if you're like us, you're more than ready. So move over corned beef, Shamrock Shakes, and March Madness (OK, maybe we're still watching that). April is here, and we're ready to shed some layers and start gathering rhubarb and asparagus to make seasonal favorites and celebrate a few holidays.

Temperatures might still be yo-yo-ing, but that doesn't mean we can't start grilling, right? Here are the dishes we have bookmarked to cook in April. Come join us in the kitchen!

01 of 18

Cherry Almond Crunch Bowl

Start celebrating all things spring with a fresh take on breakfast. Allrecipes Allstar France Cevallos brings us "a quick, high-protein breakfast that feels indulgent but comes together in just 5 minutes."

02 of 18

Bunny Bait

Janelle Nichole is getting us Easter-ready with this irresistible sweet treat that is sure to catch a bunny or two. "Toss Chex cereal, white chocolate, marshmallow bits, pastel M&Ms, sprinkles, and bunny graham crackers, and you're ready—just try not to eat it all!"

03 of 18

Ooey-Gooey Lemon Monkey Bread

Who can resist a dish with a name like this? Diana Moutsopoulos says this "ooey gooey lemon monkey bread is easy to make with store-bought biscuit dough." Because with a month as packed as April, store-bought shortcuts are key. Bring this to any event and be ready to hand out the recipe along with each plateful.

04 of 18

Big Ray's Rhubarb Relish Recipe

It's rhubarb's time to shine with strawberry by its side. And this relish is a fun spin to take on the classic combo. Allrecipes' Senior Manager of Content Marketing Frances Crouter will be making it on repeat until her seasonal produce runs out.

"Growing up we always had an abundance of rhubarb from the garden. This was a way for my mom to use it up and treat us as well. Nice addition to ice cream, pound cake, or all by itself."

Recipe creator bfr610

05 of 18

Loaded Reuben Twice-Baked Potato

Next on the list has to be these newcomers. As our test kitchen notes, they're "rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. The potatoes are crisp at the edges and filled with everything Reuben: Swiss cheese, salty corned beef, and tangy sauerkraut. A drizzle of Thousand Island dressing pulls it all together." They'll be the first to go at your spring potluck.

06 of 18

Bundt Pan Doritos Locos Nachos

Upgrade your usual nachos by giving them the Bundt pan treatment—perfect for basketball or baseball watch parties this month. Stick to the recipe, packed with Doritos, taco meat, cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce, or make it your own with your favorite add-ins.

07 of 18

Cream of Asparagus Soup

Speaking of produce, this cozy yet fresh soup recipe brings another spring darling front and center in an easy lunch or dinner that tastes like the season itself. One reviewer even calls this "the best asparagus soup I've ever tasted, and I order it in many fine restaurants." Editor Mary-Linh Tran is all in: "Yes to asparagus!" She will be making a veggie-packed quiche as well.

08 of 18

Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad

The best spring recipes are often the most simple. We're more than ready to taste fresh ingredients again, and this salad checks all the boxes. Chopped romaine gets tossed with strawberries, blueberries, pecans, and a sweet and tangy poppyseed dressing. Top with grilled chicken for a crowd-pleasing lunch or dinner that's better than the restaurant version.

09 of 18

Creamy Dirty Martini Spaghetti

On those rainy days when only comfort food will do, we're trying this out. Producer and Recipe Developer Natalie Gravois has us sold, calling this twist on a classic cocktail her "new favorite pasta dish." And we can see why. Not only does it look amazing, but she assures us it's "the easiest 20-minute dinner you'll make all week."

10 of 18

Pistachio-Crusted Rack of Lamb

Need a showstopper for Easter dinner or a special celebration? Take a page out of Chef John's book and prepare this rack of lamb that Allrecipes Allstar France C would "give this 10 stars if [she] could!" Bonus: it features the season's trendiest ingredient—pistachios. We've got you covered with a delicious list of sides, too.

11 of 18

One-Pan Chicken Piccata and Rice

On the flip side, this comforting dish is April's answer to a simple and quick weeknight meal. Chicken and rice cook together in one pan and get a flavor boost from lemon, shallots, and capers. Reviewers say it's "Easy to make and tasty, will be on my regular list."

12 of 18

Creamy Lemon Garlic Salmon

Next, Allstar and home cook TheDailyGourmet brings us a perfect April meal. "This creamy lemon garlic cream salmon features a silky, white, lemon, garlic, cream, and cheese sauce over oven-baked salmon filets. Serve over buttery orzo with roasted broccoli on the side."

13 of 18

Japanese-Style Sesame Green Beans

This easy side comes together with just a handful of pantry staples, using sesame oil and soy sauce to add rich, savory flavor. Sauté fresh or frozen green beans until tender and lightly browned, then finish with soy sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. It’s a quick, healthy option, and even picky eaters will come back for seconds.

"This recipe was so easy and very tasty. With only a few ingredients and minimal prep work, this dish makes a great healthy weeknight side dish. I will definitely make this again."

cdmcnamara

14 of 18

Amazing Passover Chocolate Toffee Matzo

Senior Editor Courtney Kassel can't let April, or Passover, come and go without making her favorite treat she waits all year for. "It's sweet, salty, and so hard to put down. It also makes a great gift in a nice tin, or an easy last-minute bake sale addition," she shares.

15 of 18

Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake

While there's a strong case to be made for carrot cake—or carrot cake cookies—how can skip past this stunner, starring the viral combo of kataifi, pistachio, and chocolate. This dessert will be the centerpiece that gets everyone talking this month.

16 of 18

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Take it from recipe creator Maree—and us—and bookmark this treat: "This sticky toffee pudding recipe makes a tender sponge cake served with a rich homemade toffee sauce. Serve warm with ice cream for the most decadent dessert you'll ever have!"

17 of 18

Magic M&M Bars

These magic M&M bars from Producer Nicole McLaughlin "bake into an ooey-gooey bar cookie on a graham cracker base, filled with chocolate chips, coconut, and toffee bits with M&Ms on top." They're the perfect April treat.

18 of 18

Big Batch Spiked Arnold Palmers

Get in the warm-weather spirit by mixing up a big batch of sweet tea, lemonade, and bourbon with Nicole McLaughlin's solution to easy entertaining. Cheers to April!