Mother's Day baking recipes – elegant, yet easy ways to celebrate

However you celebrate Mother's Day, a beautiful bake is a wonderful way to show you care or even to add a final flourish to your Mother's Day lunch menu.

We've gathered our favorite Mother's Day baking recipes, from a show-stopping but easy-to-assemble meringue topped with edible flowers, to quick but tasty tarts, and a scene-stealing lemon cake.

Whatever you're planning, we guarantee Mom, and everyone else, will love these bakes.

Apricot frangipane tart

This easy frangipane apricot tart is perfect for a Mother's Day cookout. Make it a day ahead, adding the apricot topping just before you serve it up.

Meringue with cherry and apricot compote

This meringue with cherry and apricot compote recipe really is the prettiest of all Mother's Day bakes, but so easy to make. We've used cherries and apricots, but you can use whichever fruit is in season.

Celebration lemon cake

Too elegant to serve with coffee at a Mother's Day brunch? We think not – this glorious lemon cake will be the show-stopping Mother's Day bake that you've been looking for. Decorate it with flowers, or leave it un-iced for a simpler, but still tasty, treat.

Rhubarb friands

Friands are a little like muffins but, made with ground almonds, they have a gorgeous, grainy texture. We've used rhubarb, but any seasonal fruit will suit. Ideal as part of an indulgent Mother's Day breakfast.

Fig and ricotta tart with amaretti crust

We think this stylish fig and ricotta tart is really easy but, if you need a cheat, you can buy the base pre-made and add your own toppings. A Mother's Day bake that's perfect served up with coffee or a glass of fruity dessert wine.