64 THE QUEENS COURIER • EASTER & PASSOVER • APRIL 6, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM Easter & Passover Easter basket cupcakes add a special touch Go beyond store-bought marshmallow chicks and chocolate rabbits this year. Perfect for some-bunny special – or as a dessert to brighten any holiday table – A Tisket, A Tasket, A Cupcake Easter Basket cupcakes prove that it can be a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket. “These cupcakes look impressive,” says Nancy Siler, vice president of consumer affairs at Wilton, “yet they require just a few easy steps. Simply bake cupcakes and use your favorite cake mix to help speed up prep time. Cool completely, place into Picket Fence Cupcake Wraps or Basket Cupcake Wraps and pipe with green-tinted icing to create grass. If piping isn’t possible, simply spatula ice the cupcakes; either way, they will impress.” Wilton has a basketful of ideas for finishing these little cakes. Perch miniature nest decorations filled with jelly beans on the icing grass for a playful take on a robin’s springtime roost. Or, top cupcakes with pre-made icing flowers to echo the cheery hues of spring’s first blossoms. These treats will be the perfect end to any Easter hop-pening. For more Easter or other holiday recipes and ideas, or to order decorating supplies, visit www.wilton.com. A Tisket, A Tasket, A Cupcake Easter Basket Yield: Each cupcake serves 1 White Standard Baking Cups • 1 package (about 18 ounces) cake mix, any flavor • Water, vegetable oil and eggs to prepare cake mix • Picket Fence Cupcake Wraps or Basket Cupcake Wraps • 1 can (16 ounces) White Decorator Icing • Leaf Green Icing Color • Royal Icing Nests with Jelly Beans, Pink and Purple Posies or Multi- Colored Flower Icing Decorations Preheat oven to 350°F. Place baking cups in standard muffin pan. Prepare cake mix following package instructions; place batter in prepared pan. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; cool completely. Insert cooled cupcakes into cupcake wraps. Tint icing green; pipe tip 233 “grass” over tops of cooled cupcakes. Arrange icing decorations on icing. Courtesy Family Features Planning the perfect Easter Egg Hunt From the White House lawn to the family living room, children of all ages will soon be searching behind bushes and couches to find that last treasured egg. If you don’t have an Easter egg hunt to attend in your community this year, consider planning your own and inviting all the neighbors to participate. Here are some tips for planning the perfect Easter egg hunt: Find out what kids want Kids each have their favorite items they’re hoping they’ll find in their baskets. To deliver the best gifts from the Easter Bunny, you have to think like the kids. See what kids think about the Easter Bunny and the goodies he’s going to bring this year in this adorable video by Personal Creations. Pick the right eggs Load up on eggs of all shapes and sizes. Plastic eggs are the best for hiding, because if an egg isn’t found, it won’t spoil and cause a mess later. Plastic eggs are very colorful, making them easier to spot by both little children and older kids alike. If you’re inviting a lot of younger children to the egg hunt, consider placing several eggs in a soft Easter basket like the Large Plush Bunny Basket and placing it under a tree to make it faster and easier for kids to find. Invite the Easter Bunny Rent an Easter Bunny costume and ask someone to wear it to welcome guests of all sizes to your Easter egg hunt. Ask someone else to be a digital photographer who can email your guests photos taken of their kids posing with the Easter bunny – parents will appreciate the opportunity to have their kids take a picture with the Easter Bunny without having to make a special visit to the local mall. Hang a personalized Egg Hunt Banner in the yard and decorate the area with streamers and balloons to give your backyard a festive feel. Prepare for rain April showers aren’t outside of the scope of possibilities, so prepare for a rainy day situation. You don’t want a handful of disappointed children at the party. Utilize furniture and the garage to hide eggs throughout the house. Prepare a map of the house and how many eggs are in each room so kids who aren’t familiar with the layout of the home can still find their fair share of hidden eggs. Consider treats that aren’t candy Don’t limit your Easter party treats to just sweets. Stuffed bunnies make the perfect companion for young kids, and are a great gift to hide along with the eggs. Parents will appreciate that there are options to take home other than candy, and kids will have something to keep for years to come. To give it that extra special touch, personalize a stuffed animal with each kid’s name at www.PersonalCreations.com. With these tips, you’ll have a successful Easter egg hunt that your friends and neighbors – and their children – will be talking about for weeks to come. Courtesy BPT
SC04062017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above