As Easter approaches, it’s time to start thinking about ways to celebrate with your family and friends. While you may not be able to gather together in person, you can still spread some holiday cheer by sending delicious Easter food gifts to your loved ones. Whether you’re looking for sweet treats or savory snacks, we’ve got you covered with these easy and tasty recipes.
Recipe 1: Easter Bunny Trail Mix
If you’re looking for a fun and festive snack to send to your loved ones, this Easter Bunny Trail Mix is sure to be a hit. Packed with crunchy nuts, sweet dried fruit, and colorful candies, this snack mix is perfect for munching on during an Easter egg hunt or as an afternoon snack.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mixed nuts (such as almonds, cashews, and peanuts)
- 1 cup pretzels
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup M&M’s or other colorful candies
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Spread the mixed nuts and pretzels on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, until lightly toasted.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled nuts and pretzels with the dried cranberries, M&M’s, and mini marshmallows.
- Toss well to combine.
- Divide the trail mix into small bags or jars to give as gifts.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Calories: 160
Total Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 55mg
Total Carbohydrates: 18g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 11g
Protein: 3g
Cooking Time:
10-15 minutes
Equipment:
- Baking sheet
- Large bowl
- Small bags or jars for gifting
Serving Suggestions:
This Easter Bunny Trail Mix makes a great snack for kids and adults alike. You can pack it in small bags or jars and give it as a gift to your loved ones.
Variations:
You can customize this trail mix with your favorite nuts, dried fruits, and candies. Try adding in some chocolate chips, chopped apricots, or chopped dates for a different flavor profile.
Substitutions:
If you have nut allergies, you can substitute the mixed nuts with seeds such as pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. You can also substitute the dried cranberries with raisins or chopped dried apricots.
Storage:
This trail mix can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Tips:
- You can use any combination of nuts and dried fruit in this trail mix. Just make sure to chop any larger pieces into bite-sized pieces.
- If you’re giving this trail mix as a gift, you can tie a ribbon or tag around the jar or bag for a festive touch.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I make this trail mix ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make this trail mix up to a week ahead of time and store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
Q: Can I use different types of candy?
A: Yes, you can use any type of candy that you like. Just make sure to use small, bite-sized candies so that they mix well with the other ingredients.
Recipe 2: Easter Sugar Cookies
If you’re looking for a sweet treat to send to your loved ones, these Easter Sugar Cookies are a perfect choice. Soft and buttery, these cookies are decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles to make them extra festive.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Assorted food coloring
- Assorted sprinkles
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until just combined.
- Divide the dough into 3-4 portions and color each portion with food coloring.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut out shapes using cookie cutters and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until lightly golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate the cooled cookies with icing and sprinkles.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 120
Total Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 45mg
Total Carbohydrates: 18g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 10g
Protein: 1g
Cooking Time:
30-40 minutes
Equipment:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cutters
- Wire rack
- Assorted food coloring
- Assorted sprinkles
Serving Suggestions:
These Easter Sugar Cookies make a great gift for friends and family. You can pack them in a cute box or bag and tie a ribbon around them for a festive touch.
Variations:
You can use any shape of cookie cutter that you like for these cookies. Try using Easter-themed cutters like bunnies, eggs, and flowers for a fun twist.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter instead. Just reduce the amount of salt in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon.
Storage:
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Tips:
- Make sure to chill the dough before rolling it out to prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- If you don’t have piping bags for the icing, you can use a plastic sandwich bag with the corner snipped off instead.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I freeze the cookie dough?
A: Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough for up to 1 month. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil before freezing.
Q: Can I make the cookies ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make the cookies up to a week ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Decorate them with icing and sprinkles the day before you plan to give them away.
Final Thoughts
Easter is a time to celebrate with family and friends, and what better way to spread some holiday cheer than with delicious food gifts? Whether you opt for the Easter Bunny Trail Mix or the Easter Sugar Cookies, these easy and tasty recipes are sure to delight