Sometimes, when you’re hopping down that Bunny Trail, you just need to take a shortcut. My sister-in-law Pam always asks me to bring dessert to family gatherings, and I am usually happy to comply. But, about a week ago, I was speaking to my older brother Jim in Tennessee, and said, “I hope Pam doesn’t ask me to bring dessert for Easter. I’m on the road this week, and I don’t think I’ll have much time to make something.”
“Why don’t you contact her now, and offer to bring the wine?” he suggested. Jim has a good handle on pre-emptive strategies.
Of course, I promptly forgot and by Tuesday night when I checked into my hotel in Chicago, I received the anticipated email from Pam requesting that I bring dessert.
What to do? Ice cream? Store-bought crumb cake? I was perplexed. None of those options seemed quite in the spirit of the occasion.
Then, I happened upon this recipe for Easter Chicks Cupcakes. It’s perhaps less a recipe, and more a craft project. The recipe calls for artful arrangement of colored coconut and candy bits and the preparation is faster than a jack rabbit. There’s nothing too deep here. No profound food history or mysterious French pastry techniques. And, no apologies, either. (I used a boxed cake mix - GASP!!)
For someone who grew up on Peter Cottontail, paper mache Easter eggs, neon-colored hard boiled eggs dunked in PAAS dye and Marshmallow Peeps (and still craves M&M’s “Bunny Mix”) Easter Chicks Cupcakes seems a most festive holiday treat. And, they’re a lot easier to tend to than the barnyard variety. For those of you hoping for a somewhat more nature expression of the season of renewal, feast your eyes on these shots of Manhattan all decked out in Spring finery on the day before Easter.
Now, what are you waiting for? Put on that Easter bonnet and head out to the parade!Happy Easter~Happy Spring!
©2010 T.W. Barritt All Rights Reserved
I'm the first to comment? Lucky me! I'd happily eat more than one of these. Great save! Terrific photos of Manhattan. I haven't been there in... sheesh, 25 years! Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteThe spring flowers are quite beautiful in Manhattan as are those Easter chicks. Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring to you! I just adore this time of year, and pictures capture it beautifully.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter T.W. Your cupcakes are darling and perfect for Easter. Thanks for the great photos of Manhattan in spring. She looks great.
ReplyDeleteHope you and your family have a wonderful weekend.
Sam
No wonder you're always asked to bring dessert! These cupcakes are adorable. And there's no shame in starting with a mix from a box (I've done it this weekend, too). Enjoy spring and all the glorious colors of the flowers -- what could be happier?
ReplyDeleteYou are excused for using box cake-mix because these look adorable. Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring! I just wish it would get here in Utah. The cupcakes are great; perfect for Easter!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday T.W! Hope you had a wonderful Easter with your family.
ReplyDeleteYour darling chicks are festively cute:) Did you say cake mix? You shouldn't have, no one would be the wiser.
I actually had a few barnyard chicks many years ago. Farnsworth was my favorite. He would come up to the front door and peck on the door whenever he needed a second helping of sunflower seeds:)
I kinda miss how lovely Manhattan looks in the Springtime. Would you believe they didn't show the Easter Parade on T.V. in PA? Marion and I watched the Judy Garland classic instead:) Wishing you a "homespun" week...
I think your cupcakes were perfect for the holiday and your pictures of NYC made me a bit homesick. I hope you had a fabulous Easter. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteTW used a boxed cake mix. Ooooh-- I'm tellin'! ;)
ReplyDeleteI spent two slid months in Manhattan in the dead of winter and one summer month. I missed spring there! thanks for the beautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteYour cupcakes are funny! Love a good laugh!
The adorable cupcakes you made for Easter are proof that simple is best.
ReplyDeleteSpring has arrived in NYC-YEAH!
TW, I have a picture of myself circa1969 with an Easter basket cake made by my mom, who was at the time undoubtedly sporting a beehive hairdo. Your chick cupcakes took me right back. I'll send you the pic! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThose are some cute cupcakes!
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