Hippity Hoppity

         Well, now, with Peter Cottontail breathing his chocolate coated breath right down the back of our necks, and Feisty Pants officially bored to death about 5pm today- really it's two days into vacation already, I thought I would post my last (I think) Easter themed post with some actual chocolate goodies.   I am still trying to post these with a reference to age because that is still easier than being organized in my house. (and still counts. Shut up. It does too.)  Although, let's face it, chocolate is a blessing with no age limits.  No one has to know if they were easy. I won't fink. I promise.

 

1) Peanut Butter Eggs (preschool with help. Seriously, it's easy!)
2 cups peanut butter
½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
2 cups powdered sugar (or 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1 cup graham cracker crumbs)
1 teaspoon vanilla
12 oz chocolate chips (melted) OR  a couple of bottles magic shell chocolate (easier)
     Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper (or spray with pam) and set aside. Mix all the ingredients  except chocolate together.  Roll the peanut butter dough into small (or big , whatevs) egg shapes and lay on cookie sheet. (A little olive oil on the hands will keep the dough from sticking) Refrigerate the eggs.  Then simply dip in the chocolate OR pour the magic shell on cold eggs.  You can sprinkle with candy sprinkles if you want to look fancy.  Refrigerate until chocolate hardens.

 2) Easter Bark (elementary- some stove work)
Bag of white chocolate discs (or squares)
1 bag flaked coconut
Jelly Beans
     Grease a cookie sheet or rectangular cake pan.  Set aside.  Melt white chocolate discs in microwave or on stovetop. Stir in coconut flakes.  Pour into cookie sheet.  When the chocolate begins to solidify, sprinkle the top with the jelly beans (haphazardly).  Allow to cool, break into pieces.

3)  Bird's Nests (slightly older on their own or younger with supervision)

2 cups chocolate chips (I like dark but any will do)
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups chow mein noodles OR potato sticks
peanuts (or malted milk eggs or cadbury eggs or jellybeans)
      Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper.  Place chocolate chips and peanut butter in microwave safe bowl.  Cook on 50% power for one minute.  Stir. Repeat until chocolate is melted.  Stir in chow mein noodles until fully covered.  Drop by tablespoonful onto waxed paper.  Shape with fingers into nest shape.  Add a few peanuts for the eggs.