Easter Egg Cookies Made (Royal Icing)

My regular cookie client posted on Facebook about a current order she placed with me for her son's upcoming birthday. A friend of hers sent me a message for some Easter Egg cookies. I have done this cool trick before on royal icing for the Firework Cookies and the Leaf Cookies. So I thought I bet I could do on Easter eggs also, and BAM it worked out pretty darn cool!
 

What you Need:
Sugar Cookie Dough (See recipe below / this is my fav)
1 Egg Shape Cookie Cutter
Royal Icing - Non -colored (white), Pink, Yellow, Blue and Green (recipe below)
AmeriColor Gel Food Coloring (Pink, Yellow, Blue and Green)
Pipping Bag

NOW most people pipe the white on the cookie, I found a while back on Pinterest the dunk  and tap way. You place the cookie in the royal icing and tap off the extra, I then put on the table and tap again so no bubbles. I colored 4 batches of royal icing with Pink, Yellow, Green and Blue. Pipe a line of each coloring onto the WET white royal icing. I used 2 colors per cookie. Take a toothpick from the from the and pulled down of each cookie. I then would pull up next to it. I alternated up and down until I reached the edge. Let the cookies set up and serve, I found the best is to make these a day ahead so they have several hours to harden. NOW I LIKE thick cookies and my royal icing is a bit thicker than the normal person. So it takes longer to dry!

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INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups butter, softened 2 cups white sugar 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
2.	Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3.	Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

Alexis Note: I love this cookie recipe, but I add almond along with the vanilla extract. I also use clear of both.

Julie Usher, she has a GREAT YouTube video on how to make, color and make consistency adjustments. 

Royal Icing what you need:

2 lbs Powdered Sugar

1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar

5 Large Egg Whites (or equivalent) 

Flavor to Taste

Gel Icing Color

Mix powder sugar and cream of tartar in your mixer, just to make sure it is incorporated in. Slowly add egg whites, then whip start of slow then go to very high speed. She says around 2 minutes, my friend had an older mixer so it took almost 10 minutes. You want stiff peaks that hold on and won't fall off the spoon. Add in your flavor, I would suggest you use a clear flavoring.  This would be the glue texture great for ginger bread houses etc.

Take 1 cup of royal icing in a smaller bowl then add your coloring, lightly mix so you don't get air into the the icing. I'm like her and like the gel coloring. 

For Top Coating - Add 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 tsp Water (This is if you don't want to outline and flood)

For Outlining - Add 1/2 to 3/4 tsp Water

For Flooding  - Add 2 to 3 tsp Water

WATCH her video on How to Top-Coat, Outline, and Flood Cookies. YES it is around 7 minutes BUT if you have never done this technique it's a MUST she explains it perfectly.

Treats for My Peeps (Classroom Gifts)

I'm still alive I promise .. lol. I've been working and traveling to Boston more then I have ever. As soon as I got home from my last trip and just started to get my land legs and had to hop back on a plane to help and another event in Boston for work. I'm home this week trying to catch up family and all that fun stuff. I wanted to post a quick post to show the cute treats I made for Caden's classmates. This was the EASIEST thing I've done and so darn cute! I had everything at the house just had to grab peeps from The Dollar Tree.

 

I found this cute idea with a FREE printable on Simple as That, and true to the name of her blog it really was simple as that!

 

 

What you Need:

Peeps (Pack of 8 $1 Dollar Tree)

Bags (Pack of 40 $1 Dollar Tree - I had some in my crafting box)

Ribbon (I used Twin left over in my crafting box)

Lollipop sticks (or you can use paper straws - Used what I found in my crafting box)

Card Stock (I only had yellow, white would have been better)

Scissors

Hole Punch

She made a cute printable you can use then trim with scissors and add a hole w/ hole punch for ribbon/string. Take a Peep and push a lollipop stick into the bottom of the peep. Place in clear bag. Close with ribbon/string and the cute label. BAM done!!

 

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Hoppy Easter ... Jelly Bean Bark

And last on our Easter list is Jelly Bean Bark, I saw several different ideas but came across a Spring Candy Bark on Three Kids and a Fish. She used M&M's but I had jelly beans on hand so I used that instead. I think next time I'll make with the M&M's, I really like the look of hers!

What you need:

White Candy melts (I used 2 bags)

Orange Candy melts

Yellow Candy melts

Jelly Beans or M&M's

Parchment paper

Melt your candy melts in microwave safe bowls (I use my glass pampered chef bowls). I melted white first and spread on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. I then did drops of yellow and orange. Using a knife I swirled making a marble look. Put the Jelly Beans on top of the melted candy (you may want to push them in a little bit).  Let the bark set up and then break it up and serve. I found bags at Micheal's and put them in that to hand out.

Hope you all had a GREAT Easter!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Easter Peep S'Mores ... Easy Classroom Treat

Easter is just around the corner and I had big plans to get the treats for the class done in advance. I also had an idea to do one for Caden's class and one for Cole's class. WELL time has gotten the best of me and I'm done to the wire and having only one project to do!

I kept seeing Peep S'More's all over pinterest, so forgive me if I don't link the right person but I'll post the one that came up the most. Peep S'mores found on Confetti by Lexi. Since I needed to make like 45+ of these I needed a print out that had a lot on one page. I searched and searched but couldn't find the exact one. WELL I found some on Etsy but I didn't want to pay for a class gift on top of what I've bough already. My husband is already all over me for making treats for every holiday. So I found a great free printable on Craftibilities for Peep S'More's I copied her one square pasted into a word doc and made it the right size to have 6 per page. I added a text box and typed the boys name and put on top of the printable next to the From:. 

What You Need:

Peep's (12 Per Pack $1 Dollar Tree)

Graham Crackers

Hersey Bars (I used Crunch Bar's)

Plastic Bags (25 pk $1 Dollar Tree)

Ribbon ($1 Michael's)

White Card Stock Paper

Whole Punch

Scissors

Ink Jet Printer

Add one Peep to your plastic bag, add 2 graham cracker squares to the middle of the botto of your bag and then add a chocolate bar.  (I couldn't find Hersey bars, after 2 stores I resorted to Crunch Bars). Cut your tag out and add a whole with your whole punch. Tie up bag with a ribbon and add your tag to the bag. BAM your done!

Any Easter Treat Plans?

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Bunny Buns (Easter Treats)

Next on our list for the Easter Egg Hunt was a fun treat Bunny Buns that I found on Melissa's Cuisine. These turned out so cute, now mine were a little on the fluffy bunny side ... but that is the way this lady rolls ... lol. No literally it was my rolling technique didn't make them skinny enough .. hehehe (what a little baking humor didn't kill anyone). 

These were pretty easy to make and didn't take to much time.  I thought since they weren't something decorated they may not be a big hit. I was happy to see almost all were gone with in 20 minutes!  They were so yummy I probably could eat them all day long ... you know if I didn't want my jeans to ever zip up again!

Makes 14 buns

Ingredients:

2 cups milk

1 heaping Tablespoon yeast

5-1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup vegetable shortening

1/4 cup butter, melted

1.  Pour milk into a small microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 1 minute, until warm.

2.  Sprinkle the yeast on the warm milk and set it aside to proof while you mix the other ingredients.

3.  In the bowl of your stand mixer, use the paddle attachment to mix the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar.

4.  Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

5.  Pour the milk and yeast mixer into the dough and mix using the dough attachment until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

6.  Divide the dough into 15 equal sized pieces.

7.  Roll each piece of dough into a long rope (like you're making pretzels).  Set aside 1 strip to use for the bunny tails.

8.  Form a bunny with each piece of dough by twisting the top of the dough together and leaving a "keyhole" at the bottom.

9.  Divide the reserved dough strip into 14 equal pieces and roll them into balls to use for the bunnytails.  Place the tails in the opening at the bottom of the buns.  

10.  Cover the bunnies with plastic wrap and set aside to rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.

11.  Remove the plastic wrap and bake the buns at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes, until golden brown.

12.  Brush the hot rolls with melted butter after removing from the oven    

Any Easter Plans?

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Bunny Puffs (Sweet Easter Treats)

Every year my friend holds a 1,000 egg hunt, it's something we look forward to every year. This year she had moved out of state, we all were very sad not only to see her go but our annual party. Then surprise surprise she fly's back in to visit and hold the party!  It was great to have this early so we could attend!  I flew back in Friday PM / Saturday AM so I was a little jet lagged but was able to make a few things for the party on Sunday.

I had these Bunny Puffs from Pillsbury saved on Pinterest and gave them a try.  NOW I went for the regular sized peanut butter cups. So mine were a little on the chubby side probably be better with the mini peanut butter cups. But over all they were cute!

Ingredients

1

can (8 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

8

miniature chocolate-covered peanut butter cup candies, unwrapped

8

white miniature marshmallows, cut in half

4

pink miniature marshmallows, cut in half

16

blue miniature candy-coated semi-sweet chocolate baking bits

Step

• 1 Heat oven to 375°F. Line large cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper; spray paper with cooking spray.
• 2 Unroll dough and separate into 8 triangles. Place 1 peanut butter cup in center of 1 triangle. Gently stretch corners closest to and farthest from cup together at top of cup, pinching edges together to seal around cup. Pull up third corner; firmly pinch edges to seal. Place on cookie sheet; twist 2 longest tips of dough to make ears. If desired, bend down longer ear. Repeat with remaining dough triangles and peanut butter cups, shaping and trimming dough as needed for desired shape.
• 3 Bake 8 to 9 minutes or until puffs begin to brown. Place 2 white miniature marshmallow halves and 1 pink marshmallow half on center of each for bunny nose. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until puffs are golden brown and marshmallows are slightly puffed.
• 4 For eyes, immediately place 2 blue baking bits on white miniature marshmallows for pupil; remove puffs to cooling rack.

ALEXIS NOTES: I picked up jumbo crescent rolls and large peanut butter cups. I used large candy eyes and some black decorating gel for whiskers. I couldn't find pink marshmallows so I used mini white ones.

Any Easter Plans?

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Easter Treat ... Easter Chick Oreo's

Next on the list to make is for Cole's classmates.  I found these super cute Easter Chick Oreo Pops on About a Mom's Website.  Her's were on a lollipop stick, I did just the chicks to make it easier plus less mess for the teacher to have to pick up.

What You Need:
Oreos
Lollipop Sticks (optional)
Wilton Yellow Candy Melts (melted)
Orange heart shaped sprinkles (beak)
Orange flower shaped sprinkles (feet)
Yellow flower shaped sprinkles (hair)
Wilton Candy Eyes

Directions:
1. Carefully separate the Oreo, to insert the lollipop stick. Use a dab of  candy melts or frosting to secure the stick between the  2 cookie halves. Allow to set for a few minutes.

2. Dip the Oreo Pops into the candy melts, and carefully shake off any excess. Smooth a bit with the back of a spoon if needed.

3. While the coating is still soft, place 2 eyes onto the chick. Next, add 1 candy coated chip for the beak and 2 orange wild flower sprinkles near the bottom for the feet. Place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and chill until chocolate coating is set.

ALEXIS NOTES: I skipped the lollipop stick and added a little yellow flower candy to the top of the chick to look like a little hair sticking up.

I found these really cute bags at the Dollar Tree.

That way the kid's can take it home if they want.

Any Easter Parties or Plans?

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Easter Treat ... Easter Bunny Bread (Made with Basic Bread Machine White Bread)

Next on our Easter list to make was a fun treat to take to the annual 1,000 Egg Egg Hunt my friend host.  I showed you the Bunny Nutter Butter Cookies last week I made for the party.  I saw this Easter Bunny Bread on Pinterest and I knew I had to give it a whirl.  Their's was super cute and I must say I was pretty happy with the one I created.  I must say I can bust out cookies or cakes, NOW molding a bread into a shape was a WHOLE new ballgame for me.

The recipe on Taste of Home called for Frozen Bread.  I decided that I rather make a homemade bread.  I found a Basic Bread Machine White Bread that I MUST say is the BEST bread I have ever made! 

What You Need:

1-POUND LOAF    INGREDIENTS2/3 cup                       water
4 teaspoons                sugar
3/4 teaspoon              salt
4 teaspoons                nonfat dry milk powder
4 teaspoons                butter OR margarine
2 cups                          bread flour
1-1/2 teaspoons         Bread Machine Yeast OR RapidRise Yeast
Directions
Add ingredients to bread machine pan in the order suggested by manufacturer. 

For the Bunny Bread I started with homemade bread, BUT you can use frozen if you would like.  If you want a great bread machine bread follow recipe above and just set for dough setting.  I doubled the recipe, since I was just doing the dough I knew my machine could handle the 2 lbs.  NOW if you're baking my would only handle 1 1/2 lbs.

What you Need for the Bunny:

Ingredients

• 2 loaves (1 pound each) frozen bread dough, thawed
• 2 raisins
• 2 sliced almonds
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• Dip of your choice

Directions

• Cut a fourth off of one loaf of dough; shape into a pear to form
• head. For body, flatten remaining portion into a 7-in. x 6-in. oval;
• place on a greased baking sheet. Place head above body. Make narrow
• cuts, about 3/4 in. deep, on each side of head for whiskers.
• Cut second loaf into four equal portions. For ears, shape two
• portions into 16-in. ropes; fold ropes in half. Arrange ears with
• open ends touching head. Cut a third portion of dough in half; shape
• each into a 3-1/2-in. oval for back paws. Cut two 1-in. slits on top
• edge for toes. Position on each side of body.
• Divide the fourth portion of dough into three pieces. Shape two
• pieces into 2-1/2-in. balls for front paws; shape the remaining
• piece into two 1-in. balls for cheeks and one 1/2-in. ball for nose.
• Place paws on each side of body; cut two 1-in. slits for toes. Place
• cheeks and nose on face. Add raisins for eyes and almonds for teeth.
• Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30-45
• minutes. Brush dough with egg. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes

For the Dip I just made a quick Ranch Dip.  I had a small dish that I cut a hole int he bunnies belly and placed it in there and added the Ranch dip inside.  I cut up celery and had mini carrots that I placed around the bunny.

Any Easter Parties or Plans?

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Easter Treat ... Bunny Nutter Butter Cookies

We have an annual egg hunt at my friends house this weekend.  It's so much fun, she does a huge brunch and then the 1000 egg hunt!  We each bring a dish to the event.  I of course have to find something fun and creative to bring.  I know Rick keeps telling me to go simple I just can't seem to do it .. lol.

I made these really cute Nutter Butter Bunnies last year and got so many compliments.  So I had to try another fun Nutter Butter Bunny that I found on Munchkin Munchies.  They take a little bit of time but I love how they turned out.

This is one I did on the Popsicle stick

What You Need:

Nutter Butter Cookies

1 16-24oz Almond Bark (I used Wilton White Candy Melts)

Pink Marshmallows (I found the Ice Cream Shaped ones)

Wilton Black Food Marker

Popsicles (if you want, I decided to skip less for the parents to clean up)

Ribbon (optional)

1. Melt the bark (in a deep bowl) according to package directions. Dip the end of a Popsicle stick into the melted bark and gently insert it into the middle of the Nutter Butter cookie (oriented horizontally).  Push bottom of stick into Styrofoam block and let dry (15 min. or so) before the next step. ALEXIS NOTES: I used Wilton melts, and did a few on Popsicle but it will be easier for clean up so I kept mine with out the sticks).

2.  Holding the end of the Popsicle stick, dip the cookie into the melted bark until completely covered. Let the excess drip off into the bowl. ALEXIS NOTES: Since I didn't do the sticks I skipped this.

3.  While it is still wet,  gently add a small,  pink marshmallow (you may cut it, to shape it into a more nose-like shape) or pink jelly bean onto the top, middle, curved part of the cookie.  Another option is to let the cookie dry first, and add the nose with a dab of melted bark later. Let cookie dry completely. ALEXIS NOTES: Now my first batch I forgot to add the marshmallow while it was still wet, lesson learned!

4.   After the cookie is dry, use a  food marker and add simple, bunny facial features…mouth, teeth, whiskers.

5.   Add a bow with a dab of melted bark, or tie a ribbon around the stick. ALEXIS NOTES: Skip if you don't do the sticks.

Any Easter Parties or Plans?

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.