Easter Recipes

Marshmallow Peeps Easter Basket Cake

Ingredients:

24 yellow Peeps Chicks
1 package pink Peeps Chicks
1 package blue Peeps Bunnies
1 package lavender Peeps Bunnies
1 package Peeps Vanilla Creme Eggs
1 package New Peeps Orange Creme Eggs
1 package Peeps Strawberry Creme Eggs
1 box Mike & Ike ® Easter Treats
4 boxes vanilla cake mix
2 10-inch round cake pans
1 12-inch cardboard cake circle
1 large batch vanilla cake icing
1 bright blue or turquoise food coloring 
1 bright yellow food coloring
2 pastry bags (large star tip and basket weave tip)
1 cup shredded coconut
3 paper umbrellas
3 yards ribbon in coordinating Easter colors
1 yard thick, wired decorative ribbon
3 feet flexible wire 

Directions:

Prepare the cake mixes according to directions on package

Combine ingredients from two packages in one large mixing bowl and the other two packages in another bowl

Fill each pan with batter from each bowl

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out free of batter

Turn the cakes out to cool on a wire rack and allow to cool completely before proceeding

Stir enough blue food coloring into 2/3rd’s of the icing to create a rich blue

Add yellow food coloring to the remaining icing to create the same color as the Peeps

Place one cake layer on cardboard circle

Spread a thin layer of blue icing on top

Place the second cake layer on top

Fill pastry bag fitted with large star tip with yellow icing

Pipe vertical stripes spaced 2 inches apart all around the sides of cake

Set yellow aside for later

Fill second pastry bag fitted with basket weave tip with blue icing

Horizontally pipe the basket weave over and around the yellow stripes

Arrange yellow chicks around the base of the cake to cover the cake board

Use a dab of yellow icing to secure each one

Sprinkle the top of the cake with the shredded coconut and scatter Mike & Ike Easter Treats on top

Arrange pairs of the chicks and bunnies on the cake securing each pair with a single toothpick

Stick paper umbrellas into parading pairs of peeps

Cut a few of the Marshmallow Peeps Eggs in half at an angle and arrange in the cake basket

Use the remaining yellow icing and pipe a thick border around the edge of the cake to create depth for the basket

To create a handle for the basket: bend the wire to form the shape and wrap ribbon around to cover

Stick ends of the ribbon covered wire into the sides of cake

Tie a large decorative bow to the top of the handle with wired decorative ribbon and glue a single yellow peep to the top

Another great idea from Marshmallow Peeps.

Do you have a great Easter suggestion?  If so send it in!