Marshmallow Bunnies Food

CHOCOLATE-COVERED MARSHMALLOW BUNNIES

Steps:

• Thread 2 large marshmallows onto each of 12 wooden skewers. Heat dipping chocolate as directed on package. Dip threaded marshmallows, 1 skewer at a time, into chocolate, turning to evenly coat both marshmallows. Let excess chocolate drip back into container. Place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Refrigerate 30 min. or until firm.
• Melt white chocolate as directed on package. Stir in food coloring; cool 10 min. Spoon chocolate into resealable plastic bag. Cut small piece off one bottom corner of bag; use to decorate bunnies as shown in photo.
• Press miniature marshmallows into backs for the bunnies' tails. Let stand until chocolate coating is firm.

BUNNY BUTT MARSHMALLOW POPS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment, Put 4 1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate chips or wafers and 2 teaspoons shortening or coconut oil in a glass bowl and melt at 50 percent power in a microwave at 30 seconds intervals, stirring after each, until melted, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Stick 12 yellow marshmallow bunnies (such as Peeps) onto 12 lollipop sticks. Dip the bunnies, one at a time, in the chocolate coating, spreading with a small spatula and tapping off the excess on the side of the bowl. Set the bunnies on the parchment-lined baking sheet and add halved mini marshmallows for tails. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes.
• Bunny face variation: Instead of the tail, add 2 small edible candy eyes. Attach a small orange jelly bean to each for a carrot. Halve small green jelly beans and snip the ends to resemble carrot tops and attach to the base of the carrot.

MARSHMALLOW CHICKS AND BUNNIES

Steps:

• Spread 3/4 cup of the pink sanding sugar in the bottom of an 8-inch square pan. Line a rimmed baking sheet with wax paper and cover it sparsely with 1/3 cup of the yellow sanding sugar. Prepare a piping bag with a 1/2-inch pastry tip.
• Pour 2/3 cup of cold water into the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the powdered gelatin on top. Let sit for 5 minutes.
• Put the granulated sugar and 1/2 cup cold water in a small pot over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved, about 4 minutes. Attach a candy thermometer to the pot, bring the mixture to a boil and boil until the thermometer registers 238 degrees F, about 8 minutes. Brush the sides of the pot with a wet pastry brush if sugar crystals stick to the sides as the syrup boils.
• Carefully pour the hot sugar syrup into the bowl with the gelatin and whisk the mixture by hand for a few minutes to cool it slightly. Then, using the whisk attachment, whisk the mixture on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, 9 to 11 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix for another 30 seconds.
• Put half of the mixture (about 2 cups) into a large bowl. Add about 5 drops of pink gel food coloring and gently fold with a rubber spatula to combine and until no streaks remain. Scrape into the prepared 8-inch square pan and spread into a smooth, even layer. Let sit at least 4 hours, uncovered, so the marshmallow stiffens.
• Add about 5 drops yellow gel food coloring to the remaining marshmallow in the stand mixer, gently folding with a rubber spatula to combine. Transfer the yellow marshmallow to the prepared piping bag. Pipe a chick shape (about 2 1/2-inches long) on the prepared baking sheet by beginning piping close to you, pulling away from you to begin making the chick's body, then doubling back toward yourself. When you reach the end of the body nearest you, double back a bit to make the head, pulling away to create the beak. Repeat, keeping about an inch between the chicks. Let sit at least 4 hours, uncovered, so the marshmallow chicks stiffen.
• To coat the bunnies in sugar: Put the remaining 1/2 cup pink sanding sugar in a medium bowl. Heat a saucepan filled with a couple inches of water to just under a boil, then turn off the heat. Dip the unrimmed edge of a 2 1/2-inch bunny-shaped cookie cutter into the warm water, then press the cutter into one corner of the marshmallow, creating a bunny marshmallow. Nudge the cut bunny out of the cutter and into the bowl filled with pink sanding sugar. Toss the cut bunny with a fork until well covered with sanding sugar. Repeat, dipping the cutter into the warm water each time you cut a bunny.
• To coat the chicks in sugar: Put the remaining 1 cup yellow sanding sugar in a medium bowl. Use an offset spatula to remove 1 chick from the wax paper. Place the chick in the bowl filled with yellow sanding sugar. Toss the chick with a fork until well covered with sanding sugar. Repeat with the remaining chicks.
• To make eyes and a nose for the bunnies, dip a toothpick or pointed skewer into the black gel food coloring and place 2 dots on each face for the eyes and 1 dot centered below the eyes for the nose. To create eyes on the chicks, dip a toothpick or pointed skewer into the black gel food coloring and place 1 dot on each side of each chick's head. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.