DIY Marshmallow Bunnies

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  • Serves: 24
    Prep time: 30 minutes
    Cooking time: 9 minutes
    Cost: $
    Difficulty: Easy
    You’ll need: Candy thermometer and bunny-shaped cookie cutter 

    Ingredients
    2 tablespoons plus 2 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
    1/2 cup cold water
    2 cups granulated sugar
    1/2 cup light corn syrup
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1/2 cup hot water
    2 large egg whites
    2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
    Food coloring, color(s) of choice
    2 cups colored sugar for dusting
    1/4 cup cocoa powder
    1/2 teaspoon water

    Optional: A few drops of flavoring syrup, like lemon, rose or lavender 

 

 Instructions

 

  1. Grease a 9-by-13-inch rectangular dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside
  2. In a small bowl, combine unflavored gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water. Let sit for at least 5 minutes
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, salt and hot water
  4. Bring to boil over a medium high heat. Cook, without stirring, until mixture registers 238 F on a candy thermometer, about 9 minutes. Once sugar syrup has reached 238 F, remove from heat and add the thickened unflavored gelatin
  5. In a large bowl or the bowl of electric mixer, combine egg whites and vanilla on high until stiff peaks form. Reduce the mixer speed to low, and carefully pour in the sugar syrup in a slow and steady stream. Add 4 drops of food coloring. 
  6. Once all incorporated, turn your mixer on medium high and beat until it has doubled in volume. Pour into your prepared dish and allow to set, uncovered, for at least three hours. Pour 2 cups of sugar into a gallon size plastic bag. 
  7. Add 6 drops of food coloring to sugar and massage sugar and coloring together until color has been distributed. Lightly grease the cookie cutter with non-stick cooking spray. 
  8. Cut out bunny shapes with cookie cutter. 
  9. Place cut bunnies into bag with sugar and gently shake until fully covered, or simply pour sugar onto a cookie sheet and fully coat the bunnies. 
  10. Sprinkle any remaining colored sugar evenly over prepared marshmallows.

 

Mickey Mouse Easter Wreath

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Find out how to make this adorable Mickey wreath!
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Styrofoam ring- 1 large and 2 small for ears

Bags of pastel Easter eggs

Hot glue gun

Wired ribbon

  • Ears can be attached with a wire or by tying the rings onto Mickey's head
  • Glue each egg on individually.
  • Make sure eggs are closed all of the way and then put a small line of glue down the center of the egg. Be sure to cover both sides of the egg so they don’t come apart. 
  • If you want, wrap some colored ribbon around the ring prior to gluing the eggs on. 
  • Attach a bow, you are done!

 

 

Nana's Homemade Mashed Potatoes

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Ingredients

  • 4 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cut into 2” pieces
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more
  • 1 1/2 whole milk
  • 3 sprigs thyme (optional)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 1/2 unsalted butter, plus more for serving
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

  • Place potatoes in a large pot and pour in cold water to cover by 1”. Add salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are very tender but not saturated or crumbly, 20–25 minutes (boiling will lead to waterlogged pieces).
  • Drain potatoes, reserving ½ cup cooking liquid if making potatoes ahead. Return potatoes to pot and set over low heat. Gently stir until dry, about 1 minute.
  • Meanwhile, heat milk, thyme sprigs, if desired, bay leaves, and ¾ cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat.
  • Pass hot potatoes through a ricer into a large bowl (if allowed to cool, the potatoes will become gummy).
  • Remove herbs from warm milk mixture; discard. Gradually add milk mixture to potatoes, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until combined and smooth; season with salt and pepper.
  • Serve mashed potatoes with a few pats of butter on top.
  • Do Ahead: Potatoes can be made 4 hours ahead. Pass through ricer into a large pot and cover. Just before serving, reheat over low, gently stirring in reserved potato cooking liquid as needed to loosen.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

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My mother in law Janet made the most amazing Dole Pineapple and Cream Cheese Upside Down Cake. Here's the recipe!

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 can (20 oz.) DOLE® Pineapple Slices, drained
7 or 8  maraschino cherries
1 pkg. (9 oz.) yellow cake mix
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA® Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (3 oz.) JELL-O® Brand Lemon Flavor Gelatin
2  egg(s)

DIRECTION

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Spray 9-inch cake pan orspring form pan with nonstick cooking spray.  If using a spring form pan, wrap foil around the bottom.


INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 can (20 oz.) DOLE  Pineapple Slices, drained
8 maraschino cherries

DIRECTION

Stir together melted butter and brown sugar in pan.   Place 7 or 8 pineapple slices in sugar mixture.  Place cherry in center of each pineapple slice; cut remaining 2 slices of pineapple in half and place decoratively around slice in center of the pan.


INGREDIENTS

1 pkg. (9 oz.) yellow cake mix
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA® Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (3.0 oz.) JELL-O® Lemon Gelatin
2 eggs

DIRECTION

Prepare cake mix according to the package directions (if using cake mix larger than 9 oz., a 10 or 12-inch pan is recommended).  Pour half cake batter evenly over pineapple.  Beat cream cheese, lemon gelatin and eggs in bowl of an electric mixer until smooth.  Spread cream cheese mixture gently over cake mix.  Pour remaining cake mix over cheese cake in pan.


DIRECTION

Bake 65 to 75 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

DIRECTION

Cool 5 minutes.  Loosen edges and turn out onto serving platter.

Nana's Cheesecake Recipe

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Nana's Cheesecake is famous, everyone loves it. She said I could share the recipe with all of you, so here it is!
Ingredients:
Crust:
1 c. flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. lemon peel
1/2 cup oleo (margarine)
1 slightly beaten egg
1/4 tsp. vanilla
Filling:
(5) 8 oz. cream cheese bricks, softened (we like Philadelphia Cream Cheese)
1/4 tsp. vanilla
3/4 tsp lemon peel (grated)
1 3/4 c. sugar
3 tbs. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
4/5 eggs (1 cup)
2 egg yolks
1/4 c. whipping cream
Steps:
Combine flour, sugar, lemon peel. Add eggs and vanilla. Blend, pat 1/3 dough into 9" bottom springform pan, with the sides removed. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 min. Cool, attach sides of pan.
Beat cream cheese, add vanilla, lemon peel. Mix in sugar, flour, salt, add in cream cheese, add, one at a time, until blended. Stir in whipping cream. 
Bake for 12 min. at 450 degrees. Then 55 minutes at 300 degrees.
Cool 1/2 hour, then loosen sides of pan and place cheesecake on plate.
Top with cherries, strawberries, whatever you like!

 

Vintage Home: Easter Ham

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INGREDIENTS

  • 8 lb spiral cut ham
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • cooking spray
  • fresh herbs for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9" x 13" pan with cooking spray.
  • Place the ham cut side down in the pan and pour the honey over the top. Cover the pan with foil.
  • Bake for 2 hours or until a thermometer inserted into the ham registers 140 degrees F. Remove the ham from the oven and preheat the broiler.
  • Place the sugar, onion powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and smoked paprika in a medium sized pan along with 1/2 cup of drippings from the pan or water.
  • Stir to combine the sugar and liquid then bring to a boil. Boil for exactly one minute.
  • Pour half the glaze over the ham and place the ham under the broiler. Broil for 1-2 minutes or until glaze starts bubbling.
  • Remove the ham from the oven and pour the remaining glaze over the ham. Broil for 1-2 minutes more.
  • Remove the ham from the oven and separate the slices. Transfer the ham to a platter and serve, garnished with herbs if desired

How to Boil Eggs Perfectly

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Here's how to make perfect boiled eggs!

INGREDIENTS:
Eggs
Large Pan
Salt

DIRECTIONS:

  • Place Eggs in a single layer in large pan
  • Cover with water 2″ over the top of the eggs
  • Add 1 Tbsp Salt
  • Slowly bring to a boil uncovered
  • Once boiling turn off heat
  • Cover and let sit for 13 minute exactly
  • Remove from hot water and place in an ice bath for 10 minutes
  • The trick here is the salt, the salt is what makes the shells remove easily. Also if you cook the eggs longer or let them sit longer then it will over cook the eggs.
  • See how the eggs are perfectly yellow, the gray line around the eggs is a sign of overcooking.
  • The ice bath shocks the eggs and stops the cooking process

10 Easter Egg Hunt Ideas

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1. Pirate Treasure Hunt – Create maps for your children to use on their egg hunt. Place on your map familiar things such as trees, bushes, the swing set etc. Maybe place X’s as to where eggs are hidden and let them follow the map looking for their Easter eggs.

2. Flash Light Egg Hunt- This is a fun hunt especially for older children. Wait until it is dark to go hunting for the eggs and give each child a flashlight to help them in their search for the eggs in the dark. There are also glow in the dark eggs now available at stores to use in this type of hunt.

3. In-Door Hunt - Living in the NW we are never guaranteed a sunny Easter day so many of our egg hunts have been held in our home. There are lots of creative places to hide eggs inside your home. You might even find a egg or two a few months from now.

4. Assigned Color Egg Hunt- Give each child an assigned color to find during the egg hunt. It is best to make sure you have equal amounts of each color. You can even give a prize to the first child that finds all of their assigned colored eggs. Remind them they are to leave the eggs that are not their assigned color so the other children can find their assigned colored eggs.

5. Find a Egg Win a Prize – Place notes inside various eggs revealing what prize a child has won. The prizes can be simple and inexpensive. Be sure every child wins a prize so limit the number of note filled eggs each child can find.

6. Math Hunt - Write numbers on your eggs and tell each child how many eggs they are to each find. Once they have their eggs add up the numbers on the eggs to see who’s total is the highest. The winner can be given a prize.

7. Scavenger Egg Hunt - Create a scavenger hunt list of the different types and colors of eggs they are to find. You will need to supply them with a list and pencil to use during their hunt. Remind them they are to only find what is on their list.

Here is an example of a scavenger egg hunt list

______ 2 Blue eggs
______ 5 Pink eggs
______2 Spider man eggs
______1 Two colored egg
______4 Green eggs

8. Personalized Hunt - Personalize each egg with the Children’s names. Instruct them that during the hunt they are to find the egg with their name on it. You can fill these eggs with items that you know this child will like as well.

9. Find a Number Win a Prize - Place a number on various eggs that the children turn in for prizes. Have your prizes divided up into numbered categories such as #1 wins a piece of candy, #2 wins stickers, #3 wins a chocolate bunny etc.

10. Buried Egg Treasure – Use your child’s sand box or fill a kiddie pool with sand then bury the eggs in the sand. Allow your children to dig and discover their Hidden buried egg treasure.

And here is a really cute printable invite!

50+ Easter Basket Ideas for Girls

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1. Coloring books 
2. Crayons
3. Bath crayons
4. Bath toys
5. Dolls
6. Sidewalk Chalk
7. Bubbles
8. Fun kids’ character toothbrush
9. Dr. Seuss books
10. Finger puppets
11. Sunglasses
12. Slinky
13. Stuffed animal
14. Water color paints and brushes
15. Painting smock

16. Books – Try Charlotte’s Web, Little House in the Big Woods

17. DVD — VeggieTales: Twas the Night Before Easter
18. Art supplies (colored pencils, crayons, markers, water colors, sketch pad)
19. Sticker books
20. Stamps and ink pads
21. A Children’s Bible 
22. Bubble bath
23. Cute towel set (find favorite colors or favorite characters)
24. Baby Doll
25. Bead set

26. Jump Rope
27. Rub and Trace Fashion Plate sets
28. Glue Stick
29. Construction Paper
30. Scissors
31. Fun toothbrush and toothpaste
32. Jigsaw puzzle
33. Silly Bands
34. Ponytail holders
35. Colorful, sparkly nail polish
36. Yo yo
37. Flashlight
38. PEZ character dispenser/candy
39. Fashion doll
40. Horse playsets

41. First nice piece of jewelry – cross necklace or a ring
42. Calligraphy set
43. Bathing suit
44. Flip flops
45. Character beach towel
46. Classic Archie Comic books
47. American Girl books
48. American Girl doll
49. Lip gloss
50. Small dry erase board and markers

Easter Chex Mix

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Super fun and easy to make! Package up in plastic baggies for the kiddos!
Ingredients:

2 cups each: corn chex, rice chex
small bag of pretzel sticks
1 c. of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/4 margarine
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
2 cups of pastel candies (we like Easter M&M's)

Directions:
  • Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
  • In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
  • Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.