101 Easter Baking Ideas for Breakfast and Brunch Desserts

This post has been updated (and over 75 new recipes have been added) since its original publication in 2018.
Baking Ideas For Easter Breakfast and Brunch Desserts
When it comes to Easter breakfast or brunch, there must be something sweet to cap off the meal. Whether you choose classic hot cross buns, homemade pastries, fruity scones, sweet rolls and sticky buns or simple muffins sweet breads and coffeecakes, this collection of 101 sweet baking ideas for Easter will inspire you to pick up a whisk and get busy.
I've collected some of the most delectable breakfast desserts that your friends and family will love. If you're doing an Easter brunch, these sweet treats and desserts will be the star of your buffet table.
Most of these recipes can be made the day before, too, so you can spend your time hunting for eggs instead of baking.
Hot Cross Buns
Hot Cross Buns are soft, spiced sweet buns usually made with fruit and marked with a cross on the top.
These rolls traditionally mark the end of the Lenten season and are customary breakfast desserts to be enjoyed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Do you remember the nursery rhyme that goes:
Hot Cross Buns! Hot Cross Buns!
One a penny, two a penny! Hot Cross Buns!
If you have no daughters, give them to your sons.
One a penny two a penny Hot Cross Buns.
Enjoy these 10 different variations as a dessert for breakfast or brunch on Easter. Sunday.
Chocolate and Orange Hot Cross Buns
These Chocolate and Orange Hot Cross Buns are deliciously soft, and fluffy, warm from the oven, hot cross buns. Spiced, infused with orange, and stuffed full of chocolate chips!
Hot Cross Buns with Marmalade Glaze
Nicky shares her Hot cross buns with marmalade glaze, the perfect make ahead Easter breakfast dessert idea.
Blueberry Hot Cross Buns
Ania's recipe for Blueberry Hot Cross buns, use an enriched, soft and airy dough and buttery crumble topping. She says this Easter baking recipe can be made ahead of time, and is just perfect for sharing with friends and family! Don't they look phenomenal?
Sourdough Hot Cross Buns
From Ieva, comes a true British Classic. These Sourdough Hot Cross Buns are made with no commercial yeast and are generously studded with dried fruit! A must make breakfast dessert.
Double Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Buns (vegan)
Anthea says you'll love these easy vegan hot cross buns with TWO types of chocolate chips. These fluffy buns will melt in your mouth and can be prepared in advance!
Fluffy Vegan Hot Cross Buns
If you're looking for a vegan version, try this one from Jessica at Vegan Punks - Her beautiful hot cross buns that are plant based! Great with lashings of butter and steaming cup of tea for Easter breakfast or brunch.
Easy Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Paula's classic Hot Cross Buns recipe delivers big time. They are super soft, tender, with a hint of cinnamon and studded with raisins. They can be made ahead and frozen! An ideal recipe for Easter baking.
Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Buns
This chocolate chip version via Ania is for all you choco-holics out there. A stunner of a brunch dessert!
Chai Spiced Hot Crossed Buns
Sally's recipe has a a delicate chai spices and the buns are fruit-free. Delicious.
Carrot and Ginger Hot Cross Buns
Hitting all the right notes, Carrot and Ginger Hot Cross Buns are a must make for your Easter brunch menu.
Sweet Breads for Easter Breakfast or Brunch
These Easter breakfast and brunch breads go from yeasty and not that sweet to quick and easy baked breads that eat like a cake. Some are traditional holiday recipes while others are the perfect sweet end to any weekend breakfast or brunch.
Easy Chocolate Walnut Banana Bread
Sophie says her Chocolate Walnut Banana Bread is super easy to make, even if you don’t bake much. It's tender with a wonderful aroma. The kids will love this one.
German Rosinenbrot
Chef Marcus Mueller shares his traditional German Rosinenbrot recipe (a.k.a. raisin bread). It's not too sweet and is an impressive loaf to bake for Easter.
Italian Easter Bread
This traditional Italian Easter Bread is Michelle's old family recipe; it’s flavored with orange and anise, brushed with icing and decorated with sprinkles.
Easter Dove Bread
KC says everyone can celebrate with Gluten-Free Colomba Pasquale! She's converted a traditional Easter Dove Bread recipe to a GF variety (or you can make it with regular AP flour too!)
Easter Bread
Daniela says This Easter Bread is fluffy, delicious and melts in your mouth. This is an old recipe, a type of sweet bread that my grandma used to make.
Braided Easter Bread
Don't you just want to tear off a piece of this Braided Easter Bread Recipe with that beautiful golden dome? It's vanilla-scented and just slightly sweet. This baked Easter bread is sure to be a hit.
The Best Nutella Babka
Kata's Nutella babka is made of fluffy and buttery brioche dough that is twisted around the best homemade Nutella filling. Is it a bread or is it a dessert? Either way is probably one of the most delicious breakfasts I’ve ever had!
Italian Easter Dove Bread
Pris' Colombia Pascal is the traditional Italian Easter bread, shaped like a dove. This healthier version is low-carb and sugar-free, but tastes like the original.
Cinnamon Bread Pull Aparts
Jere says everyone loves this soft yeasty Cinnamon Bread Pull-Apart Loaf with a sweet icing drizzle. Simply pull-apart the sweet buttery pillows of this light and fluffy bread for a sweet breakfast dessert.
Sourdough Babka
Allyson's double chocolate babka is the perfect treat to compliment your Easter breakfast or brunch spread! Plus, it’s make ahead friendly.
Fresh Strawberry Bread
This Strawberry Bread is packed with delicate and fresh flavors. So tender, moist, and easy to make! It's a tasty breakfast or brunch dessert for Easter or springtime in general. Thanks to Tania for sharing her recipe.
Meyer Lemon-Rosemary Loaf Cake
From Dahn this Meyer Lemon Rosemary Loaf is a great addition to a breakfast or brunch dessert spread, especially for the holidays.
Cinnamon Walnut Loaf with Ground Walnuts
Don't be fooled by the simplicity of this loaf cake. It's rich and nutty with a spiced cinnamon crumb. The simple sugar glaze gives it a festive look.
Blueberry Lemon Bread
Chelsea shares her easy one-bowl baking recipe that's ideal for breakfast and brunch dessert-ing. Great toasted too!
Strawberry Banana Bread
Megan's strawberry banana bread is healthy because it's made with Greek yogurt. Fresh strawberries baked into every slice is an easy addition to this sweet treat. Everyone will enjoy this one for Easter breakfast.
Lemon Zucchini Bread
Beth's Lemon Zucchini Bread is so moist, yet the crust is perfectly crunchy! The tasty glaze and lemon zest add a sweet, tangy finish to this baked Easter bread.
Pistachio Cream Mini Egg Babka - Dish 'n' the Kitchen
Bernice's Pistachio Cream and Mini Egg Babka is made with swirled layers of rich dough and nutty pistachio cream.
Easy Vegan Banana Bread
This Vegan Banana Bread is easy to make, requires simple ingredients, and it's so darn delicious! You'll want to get Melissa's recipe.
Paska Easter Bread
Paska is an Easter Bread that's popular across Orthodox countries in Eastern Europe. Peter's updated, modern recipe is made with white chocolate, macadamia nuts and cranberries. Make ahead then enjoy on Easter morning.
Brunch Sticky Buns and Sweet Rolls
Whether you call them sticky buns or sweet rolls, these over-the-top indulgences definitely qualify as dessert. Perfect for Easter breakfast or brunch. Bonus, they can be made ahead of time and iced, glazed, or frosted before serving.
Any one of these recipes would be a fun Easter baking project with the kids.
Homemade Easy Cinnamon Rolls
The secret to Anivita and Soniya's easy cinnamon rolls is letting the dough rise in the Instant Pot. It takes the guesswork out of keeping the dough at the proper temperature.
Ooey Gooey Sticky Toffee Pecan Buns
Taylor says These Sticky Toffee Pecan Buns are a cross between a fluffy pecan roll and the classic English dessert - sticky toffee pudding. Lots of gooey caramel and toasty pecans will top your spiraled buns in a picture perfect fashion. Sinful.
Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling
These Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls from Marley at Marley's Menu are of fluffy dough filled with cinnamon-coated fresh apples and smothered with smooth and creamy icing.
Easy Belgian Buns Recipe
Jen from Sim's Home Kitchen makes amazing Belgian Buns. She says they're ideal for breakfast or brunch desserts, especially for Easter.
Mini Cinnamon Rolls
Whitney recommends these homemade mini cinnamon rolls because they are perfectly soft, fluffy and ooze with delicious cinnamon sugar filling and a vanilla frosting. Sounds like a winner to us!
Deborah's Knotted Orange Sweet Rolls
We should all make two batches of Deborah's Knotted Orange Sweet Rolls for Easter brunch, don't you think?
Apricot Almond Fruit Pastry
These tender Apricot Almond Rolls will be the first thing to fly off the brunch dessert buffet at your Easter celebration! Makes two pans of sweet buns.
Glazed Cinnamon Buns
You don't have to twist my arm to try one or two of these Pecan Rolls. Heather's recipe uses pecans and a homemade cream cheese icing for the ultimate baked sweet buns.
Cardamom Orange Rolls
This recipe makes two 9" pans of pull apart of sweet buns. The refrigerator dough is easy to make and can be made ahead of time. Just assemble and bake on Easter morning for the ultimate soft orange rolls.
Chocolate Caramel Sweet Rolls
Amee's Chocolate Caramel Sweet Rolls are filled with chocolate filling and homemade dulce de leche, then topped with a dulce de leche cream cheese frosting swirled with dark chocolate ganache! The most decadent dessert for Easter brunch.
Lemon Berry Sweet Buns
These soft, tender sweet rolls are filled with berries and a spiced sugar mixture. The tangy cream cheese glaze will have everyone licking their fingers.
Peach Sticky Buns
Catherine adds a heavenly Tahini caramel sauce to her peach sticky buns recipe. Lordy!
Chelsea Buns
Chelsea buns are similar to cinnamon rolls, but include raisins and a lovely, glossy glaze. Thanks to Christina for sharing this Easter baking recipe.
Orange Cinnamon Rolls
The secret to Melanie's Orange Cinnamon Rolls is fresh squeezed orange juice. You don't want to miss this brunch dessert idea.
Pistachio Cardamom Challah Buns
Liz says pistachio filled challah buns make a delightful Easter dessert to go with your breakfast or brunch menu. She says it's an easy bread dough stuffed with a sweet pistachio filling and topped with a quick glaze.
Pastries & Danish
When I think of desserts for breakfast or brunch, pastry is at the top of the list. These baking ideas go from simple to spectacular, but most have a quick and easy method, so you won't be laminating dough all day. Try one (or two) of these sweets for your Easter holiday breakfast buffet.
Fruit Pizza with Oat & Almond Butter Crust
Leanne says her fruit pizza is a showstopper and it's easy to make ahead of time!
Quesitos
From Marta, these classic Quesitos are probably the most popular Puerto Rican pastry and they're perfect for Easter morning. She's got a killer recipe for the homemade pastry, but if you're rushed, you could go with store-bought puff pastry.
Raspberry Almond Cream Cheese Braid
This is a fancy looking braid that will impress your guests, but it's much easier to make than you might think. A great baked breakfast treat to make the day before.
Swedish Cardamom Buns
Caroline is a very talented food blogger and one of my good friends. I'm happy to share her Swedish Cardamom Buns. They are like a cross between a cinnamon roll and a pull apart bread with the wonderful aromatic undertone of cardamom!
Koulourakia Greek Easter Cookies
Voula says Koulourakia are traditional Greek cookies that are popular during Easter! They are buttery with hints of vanilla, orange juice, and freshly grated orange zest in every bite -- and aren't they the CUTEST?
Cream Horns
Melissa's puff pastry Cream Horns are a bakery-style handheld treat. They're filled with fresh whipped cream and dusted with powdered sugar for an indulgent breakfast or brunch dessert that never disappoints.
Blackberry Cheese Danish
Debi's Blackberry Cheese Danish is filled with lemon-thyme cream cheese, and topped with luscious blackberries on a buttery puff pastry crust. It's finished with a delightful sugar glaze. Store bought pastry makes this Easter baking recipe a winner.
Braided Lemon Bread
Renae says thanks to frozen dough, this easy lemon braid is a snap to make. It only looks complicated. The center has a rich, lemon curd and cream cheese filling. Sounds like a tasty breakfast dessert!
Guava Cream Cheese Pastries
My easy guava cream cheese pastries (Pastelitos de Guayaba y Queso) are flaky and irresistible. Use ready made puff pastry and fill with sweetened cream cheese and guava paste.
Puff Pastry Cinnamon Swirls
Danielle uses ready made puff pastry for her cinnamon rolls with orange glaze. A winner.
Blueberry Puff Pastry Danish With Cream Cheese Icing
Michelle's Blueberry Danish is made with fresh blueberries, blueberry preserves, and puff pastry making it flaky and buttery and drizzled with a sweet lemon cream cheese icing! You'll definitely want this Easter brunch recipe on the buffet.
Quick Raspberry and Almond Croissants
The angels will sing for these Quick Raspberry and Almond Croissants. Bake up a batch and watch your friends and family clamor to this dessert on your brunch table.
Mimosa Tart
Mimosa Tart is like a picture of springtime. Thanks to Claire for sharing her delightful recipe.
Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Want to impress your guests? Try Kathy's Puff Pastry Pinwheels. Use store bought puff pastry and apricot jam for these festive looking pinwheels.
Muffins
Even people that don't bake can make muffins. You'll find everything from fruity, springtime favorites to decadent chocolatey dessert muffins. Some have glazes and frostings (almost like a cupcake) while others are more austere, but every bit as delicious.
For a real crowd pleaser, turn any one of these muffin recipes into minis for a 2-3 bite, guilt free dessert idea.
Gluten-Free Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
When you're craving soft, moist lemon poppyseed muffins, try Sylvia's recipe. They have a bright lemon flavor and tasty glaze.
Double Chocolate Blueberry Muffins
Double Chocolate Blueberry Muffins are RE-DONCULOUS -LY delish with an avalanche of chocolate chips and blueberries!
Paleo Carrot Cake Muffins
Look at the tender, moist crumb of Chrystal's Grain Free Carrot Cake Muffins. They're also dairy and refined sugar free to boot. Try this healthy dessert for your Easter breakfast or brunch menu.
Lemon Glazed Blackberry Muffins
These Lemon Glazed Blackberry Muffins are chock full of blackberries and have a double hit of lemon, in the muffins and the sweet, sticky glaze. We like them as 2-bite minis for breakfast with eggs or yogurt.
Bakery Style Strawberry Muffins
Strawberry buttermilk muffins pair perfectly with a good cup of coffee or some oj. You'll love the streusel topping and fresh bits of strawberry in every bite. Thanks to Tristan for sharing the recipe.
Vegan Blackberry Muffins
Samantha says these vegan blackberry muffins are super soft, fluffy, and easy to make. They are made with almond flour and naturally sweetened with maple syrup, making them gluten-free and refined sugar free.
Keto & Sugar Free Carrot Cake Muffins
This bakery classic from Jennifer has a gluten free and sugar free twist. Perfectly spiced, super moist breakfast muffins topped with rich and creamy cream cheese frosting that just screams Easter dessert.
Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Alex says These lemony muffins have a bright flavor, tender crumb, and sweet lemon glaze. Don't they look good?
Banana Carrot Muffins
Gabriela's banana carrot muffins are soft, fluffy, moist, and so easy to make!
Famous Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins
Legendary Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins are made with fresh blueberries with a soft, moist crumb and sugary crisp top. Thanks to Denise for sharing the secret!
Carrot Cake Muffins With Cream Cheese Glaze
Amanda's Carrot Cake Muffins with a Cream Cheese Glaze are an Easter brunch dessert favorite. They’re perfect for making ahead, and with 16 muffins in one batch, they’re great for serving a crowd.
Scones Recipes
Scones are the sweeter, rubblier fruit, nut and chip studded biscuit that's perfect for a breakfast and brunch dessert buffet. They're usually glazed or sprinkled with sugar and are absolutely the best thing going -- especially if you're a Southern biscuit fan.
The key to making good homemade breakfast scones is using cold butter and not over-working the dough. Once you get the hang of it, it's simple and makes a great baking idea for Easter.
Gluten-Free Blackberry Sour Cream Scones with Maple Vanilla Glaze
Don't you love the rubbly look of Shannon's Blackberry Sour Cream Scones? These buttery little gems are perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.
Blueberry Scones
Kelley says her Blueberry Scones recipe will take your brunch game to the next level! I think she's right!
Earl Grey Scones with Vanilla Bean Glaze
Chenee's Vanilla Earl Grey scones with vanilla bean glaze are a sophisticated breafast or brunch treat that'a perfect for Easter morning.
The BEST Maple Blueberry Scones
Leslie says these better-than-the-bakery scones are slightly crumbly on the crust and perfectly soft on the inside.
Perfect Strawberry Scones
Diana's strawberry scones are soft, crumbly, and perfectly sweet! You'll love the tempting glaze, too. These springtime bakes are a perfect idea for your Easter brunch menu.
Lemon Poppy Seed Scones with Raspberries
Genevieve shares her recipe for buttery lemon poppy seed scones with plump, tart raspberries. She brushes them with a delicate lemon glaze.
Sourdough Scones with Brown Butter Maple Glaze
My friend Geoffrey over at Spoonabilities says sourdough scones are an easy sourdough discard recipe. Who knew? With nuts, dried fruits, and a sweet maple brown butter glaze, they take less than 35 minutes to make! They're a sweet that's perfect for Easter brunch.
Orange Cardamom Scones with Maple Glaze
Nancy thinks you'll love her tender scones recipe. They're spiced with cardamom and vibrant orange, plus a sweet glaze made with pure maple syrup! I think she's right!
Gluten-Free Blueberry Buttermilk Scones
With the addition of buttermilk, these blueberry scones bake up with perfectly crisp edges and a soft, vanilla-scented crumb. Thanks to Alex for sharing this classic Easter baking recipe.
Gluten-Free Blueberry Scones
Carrie says everyone loves these freshly-baked Gluten-Free Blueberry Scones and they're easy to make, so if you've got diners who are sensitive, this is the way to go.
Chocolate Chip Scones
Heather shares her tips and tricks to turning out these buttery, rich scones, flecked with dark chocolate chips.
Orange Scones
Kathleen's bright, cheery oh-so-very orange infused scones are perfectly baked, tender and flaky for Easter breakfast!
Raspberry Almond Scones
Kathryn has a crush on this scone recipe and I can see why! She says these Raspberry Almond Scones are unbelievably tender and soft, with just the right bit of crumble!
Cherry Buttermilk Scones
These mini two-bite scones have chewy dried cherries and a delectable vanilla bean glaze. They're flaky, tender and delicious. Use a small biscuit cutter to portion the dough and don't twist when you cut them.
Maple Nut Scones
My friend Elaine makes these simple Maple Nut Scones with a soft, crumbly texture and delectable maple glaze.
Strawberry Scones
Jaclyn says strawberry scones are perfectly soft and tender, studded with fresh strawberries, and drizzled with a sweet vanilla glaze.
Easter Breakfast Coffee Cakes
Let's be honest, coffee cakes are just cake without the layering, frosting and decorating. In other words, EASY. These fruity, nutty, streuseled and glazed cakes are the perfect sweet end to a magnificent Easter breakfast or brunch.
These baked beauties can be made a day ahead of time, so you can concentrate on assembling mimosas. You're welcome!
Raspberry Almond Crumb Cake
Haley's raspberry almond crumb cake combines a moist, thick cake as the base and is topped with bright fresh raspberries and a cinnamon-y, almond packed, butter crumb topping. DEE-LISH!
Raspberry Ricotta Breakfast Cake
While we're talking about raspberries, how about Tricia's Raspberry Ricotta Breakfast Cake. We love the rubbly dome and moist interior studded with fresh fruit. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy.
Banana Coffee Cake Recipe with Cinnamon Brown Sugar Pecan Swirl
Faith transforms over-ripe bananas into a moist cake with a tender crumb that features a cinnamon-laced brown sugar pecan swirl throughout. Put this on the dessert buffet and watch it disappear.
Pecan Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Ella says this super moist pecan sour cream coffee cake is covered in a delicious crunchy streusel topping and only takes 20 minutes to make. This is the ultimate coffee cake for Easter brunch!
Fresh Apricot Cake with Sugared Almonds
You'll love this soft, tender cake dotted with fresh apricots and crowned with crackly sugared almonds.
The BEST Monkey Bread Recipe
Heather makes a mean monkey bread, don't you think? Her fluffy pull apart sweet bread rolls are dipped in butter, rolled in cinnamon and sugar and drizzled with a vanilla glaze. Oh-Ma-Gawd!
Coffee Banana Cake
Alejandra says this coffee banana cake is like the best banana cake you’ve ever had with a rich coffee espresso flavoring mixed in. I'm sold!
Lemon Blueberry Buttermilk Cake
Silvia says this rustic lemon blueberry coffee cake may look a little rough, but it's the best thing you'll ever eat!
Gluten Free Coffee Cake
Megan makes a melt-in-your-mouth, tender, moist, gluten-free coffee cake, with a cinnamon streusel topping that’s to die for.
Baked Blueberry French Toast Cake
Never heard of French toast cake? This one is a stunner of a breakfast or brunch dessert by Phillip and Mystique.
Lemon Strawberry Crumb Cake
This moist, tender coffeecake is lightly lemony with a ribboned layer of fresh strawberries and an irresistible streusel topping.
This n' that
While these breakfast and brunch dessert recipes don't fit neatly into the previous categories, they definitely deserve a sweet spot on your Easter Menu.
Blintz Souffle With Blueberry Sauce
Cynthia from What A Girl Eats says this blintz soufflé casserole with warm blueberry sauce is perfect for a holiday breakfast or brunch. Assemble it the night before and pop it in the oven while you set the table.
Cake Donut Bread Pudding
Give into the sugar coma with this luscious Cake Donut Bread Pudding from Sugar & Soul for Spend With Pennies.
BEST Blueberry Glazed Donuts
This recipe from Laura at Sift Gluten Free Recipes and Videos says These blueberry glazed donuts are not overly sweet but are the perfect treat for breakfast with your morning coffee, or, just as a snack.
Easy Thin English Pancakes
Helen's English pancakes remind me of crepes. We love the lemon flavor and crunch of sugar sprinkled on top.
Copycat Glazed Chocolate Munchkins
Tracy over at Served From Scratch shares her copycat chocolate munchkins, which are easily made at home from scratch! She says they taste just like the one's from your favorite donut shop!
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Perfect! I was looking for ideas of how to make Easter morning special, can’t wait! Thank you!
What an amazing list for Easter and spring baking! I have already selected several recipes that I want to make. Thank you!
What a stellar lineup of recipes!! I don’t even know where to start, but I’m going to enjoy making more than a few of these for Easter and spring in general.
Wow-what a beautiful roundup of Easter baking ideas! Can’t wait to make some of these and thank you so much for adding my scones! 🙂
What a lovely collection! Thanks for including my puff pastry pinwheels! 🙂
Oh my goodness! Love this list! There are so many good recipes, so hard to choose from only a few. Thank you so much for including my muffin recipe!
Oh my word, Lisa! All of these look incredible! I’ve never heard of a bunch of these. Going to check them all out – I’m on a bread baking high this week!
Oooh so many fantastic ideas here! Now to narrow it down…
Thanks for incuding my carrot and ginger hot cross buns!
I’m loving all of these ideas! I just got an invite to an easter brunch so I’ve been looking for yummy ideas!
These are some pretty amazing Easter baking ideas!! Thanks so much for including my Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake recipe and the other amazing desserts. Oh, I’m definitely going to check them all out!
We for some reason don’t have a go-to indulgence for Easter morning (other than candy from our kids’ baskets LOL). I think I need to change that and make one of these recipes!
Lisa, how am I supposed to get any work done with these gorgeous recipes on my mind? Yummm! This is an incredible lineup for the holiday weekend! So many to choose from…thanks for the inspiration!
That mimosa tart is stunning, you’ve just inspired me to do some baking this weekend! Thanks so much for including my recipe!
These all look so good! I’m headed to my sister’s for the weekend, so we’ll definitely be making one of these recipes. Maybe even two or three….
They all look absolutely fantastic Lisa! Thanks so much for including one of my recipes, and I’m looking forward to trying some of them out! Happy Easter!