Remembering the Good Old Days
Easter is a time of celebration, and for many of us, it comes with memories of colorful eggs, fluffy bunnies, and delicious candies. If you were a child in the 70’s, you might remember some of the classic treats that were popular back then. From marshmallow chicks to jelly beans, these sweets were a staple of the season. In this article, we’ll take a trip down memory lane and explore some of the most beloved Easter candies from the 70’s.
Recipe 1: Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Eggs
If you’re looking to recreate the taste of Easter from the 70’s, you can’t go wrong with these delicious chocolate-covered peanut butter eggs. They’re easy to make and taste just as good as the ones you remember from your childhood.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 12 oz milk chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp vegetable shortening
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, beat together peanut butter, butter, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and mix until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into small egg shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Refrigerate the eggs for at least an hour to set.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and vegetable shortening together, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
- Dip each egg into the melted chocolate and place them back on the parchment-lined sheet to set.
- Refrigerate the eggs until the chocolate has hardened, then serve and enjoy!
Nutritional Information:
- Serving Size: 1 egg
- Calories: 190
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sodium: 60mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 17g
- Protein: 3g
Cooking Time:
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cooling Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Equipment:
- Mixing Bowl
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- Parchment Paper
- Baking Sheet
- Microwave-Safe Bowl
Serving Suggestions:
These peanut butter eggs are perfect for sharing with friends and family during Easter celebrations. Serve them on a platter with other classic Easter candies, like jelly beans and Peeps.
Variations:
If you’re looking to switch things up, try using dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate for a richer, more intense flavor. You can also add chopped nuts or sprinkles to the top of the chocolate before it hardens to add some extra texture and color.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have vegetable shortening on hand, you can use coconut oil or butter instead. You can also swap out the milk chocolate chips for semisweet or white chocolate chips if you prefer.
Storage:
Store these peanut butter eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Tips:
Make sure to use unsalted butter in this recipe to avoid making the peanut butter mixture too salty. You can also freeze the peanut butter eggs for up to a month if you want to make them ahead of time.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy? Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer. Just keep in mind that the texture of the eggs will be slightly different. Can I use a double boiler instead of a microwave to melt the chocolate? Yes, you can use a double boiler if you don’t have a microwave. Just be sure to stir the chocolate frequently to avoid burning it.
Recipe 2: Homemade Peeps
Peeps are a classic Easter candy that have been around since the 50’s, but they really hit their peak of popularity in the 70’s. If you’re feeling nostalgic for these marshmallow treats, try making your own with this easy recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup cold water
- 3 packets of unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Yellow food coloring
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
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Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let it sit for 5 minutes to soften.
- In a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/3 cup of water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
- Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan and let the mixture come to a boil, without stirring, until it reaches 240°F.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and slowly pour it into the gelatin, while beating with a hand mixer or stand mixer on low speed.
- Once all of the syrup has been added, increase the mixer speed to high and beat until the mixture is thick and fluffy, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and a few drops of yellow food coloring, if desired.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and powdered sugar.
- Dust a baking sheet with the cornstarch mixture and transfer the marshmallow mixture to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
- Pipe the mixture into chick shapes on the baking sheet, using the cornstarch mixture to dust your hands and prevent sticking.
- Let the chicks sit at room temperature for at least an hour to set.
- Once the chicks are set, use a toothpick to draw eyes and beaks with melted chocolate or black gel icing.
- Store the peeps in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Nutritional Information:
- Serving Size: 1 peep
- Calories: 32
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 14mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 8g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 8g
- Protein: 1g
Cooking Time:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooling Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Equipment:
- Mixing Bowl
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- Candy Thermometer
- Small Saucepan
- Piping Bag
- Large Round Tip
- Baking Sheet
- Toothpick
Serving Suggestions:
These homemade peeps are perfect for Easter baskets or as a fun treat to share with friends and family. Serve them alongside other classic Easter candies for a nostalgic holiday spread.
Variations:
You can switch up the color of these peeps by using different food coloring. Try pink or blue for a fun twist. You can also use different shaped piping tips to create different peep shapes, like bunnies or ducks.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have