Introduction
Easter is a time of joy and celebration, and what better way to get into the spirit than by decorating your home? The question is, when is it appropriate to start decorating? Some people may argue that it’s too early to start before Easter Sunday, while others may start as early as February. In this blog post, we’ll explore when you can start decorating for Easter and provide you with some fun recipe ideas to get you started.
When Can You Decorate for Easter?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as it ultimately depends on your personal preference. However, as a general rule of thumb, most people start decorating for Easter around two weeks before the holiday. This gives you enough time to set everything up and enjoy your decorations without feeling like you’re rushing.
Recipe 1: Easter Egg Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Food coloring
- Sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
- Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix until just combined.
- Divide dough into separate bowls and add food coloring to each bowl. Mix until desired color is achieved.
- Roll dough into small balls and place on prepared baking sheet. Press down slightly to flatten. Add sprinkles on top.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information:
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Total Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 45mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 9g
- Protein: 1g
Cooking Time:
Total Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Electric mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
Serving Suggestions:
Serve these colorful Easter egg sugar cookies on a platter with other Easter treats, such as chocolate eggs and jelly beans.
Variations:
Switch up the colors and sprinkles on these cookies to match your Easter decor. You can also use cookie cutters to shape the dough into Easter-themed shapes.
Substitutions:
You can use margarine instead of butter if you prefer. You can also substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour if you have a gluten intolerance.
Storage:
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Tips:
Make sure to not overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies. Also, make sure to add the food coloring gradually until you reach your desired color.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I freeze the dough? Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking.
Recipe 2: Easter Bunny Cupcakes
Ingredients:
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3 egg whites
- 1 tub white frosting
- 24 large marshmallows
- Pink food coloring
- Mini chocolate chips
- 24 pink jelly beans
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large bowl, beat cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and egg whites until well combined.
- Divide batter evenly between cupcake liners. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely.
- While cupcakes are cooling, tint frosting with pink food coloring.
- Cut marshmallows in half diagonally. Dip the sticky side of each half into pink sanding sugar.
- Once cupcakes are cooled, frost each cupcake with pink frosting.
- Place two marshmallow halves on top of each cupcake to create bunny ears.
- Add mini chocolate chips for the eyes and a pink jelly bean for the nose.
Nutritional Information:
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 210
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 210mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 33g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 24g
- Protein: 1g
Cooking Time:
Total Time: 45 minutes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Equipment:
- Muffin tin
- Cupcake liners
- Large bowl
- Electric mixer
- Knife
- Sanding sugar
Serving Suggestions:
Serve these adorable Easter bunny cupcakes on a cake stand as a centerpiece for your Easter celebration.
Variations:
You can use different colored frosting and sanding sugar to create a variety of bunny cupcakes. You can also use different candy for the eyes and nose, such as M&Ms or gummy bears.
Substitutions:
You can use any flavor of cake mix that you prefer. You can also use homemade frosting instead of store-bought if you have the time.
Storage:
Store these cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Tips:
Make sure to let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting, or the frosting will melt. Also, if you don’t have sanding sugar, you can use regular granulated sugar with a drop of food coloring.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time? Yes, you can bake the cupcakes ahead of time and frost them the day of your event.
Conclusion
Now that you know when you can start decorating for Easter, it’s time to get creative! Whether you choose to decorate early or wait until the last minute, these fun recipe ideas are sure to bring some Easter cheer to your home. So put on your bunny ears and get decorating!