Yes, you can. I've done that a couple of times with laptops. I use Acronis True Image to make a clone backup of the original HDD to an external HDD, then install the SSD, then boot the laptop with an Acronis True Image boot disk, then Restore the original image from the external HDD. The only drawback is that you need Acronis True Image, but you can use it for 30 days as a trial without having to pay for it.
You could also do this with Windows 8 or Windows 7 backup utility, but it's more complicated and I've never used it for that purpose (I already own Acronis).