CHOCOLATE DIPPED MARSHMALLOW BUNNIES

I saw this big-ass huge bag of Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Easter Bunnies at Wal-mart the other day and, unbelievably, I thought it was a great idea to get them.  There was a smaller option, but NOOOO, I had to have the BIG bag.  Oh brother.

When I saw them, I immediately thought...oh, I want to put these bunnies on a cake-pop stick and dip them in chocolate!  I had been intending to make my own marshmallows and pour them in a jelly roll pan this time so they'd be thinner and cut them with bunny and chick shaped cookie cutters...and dip them.  So, the thought was already in place and viola, there were the marshmallows right on the shelf, in cute spring-time colors cutting out half of my labor!

Friday morning before going to Zumba I decided to start on them.  I'd gotten some after-Valentine's Day lollipop sticks for 90% off at Hobby Lobby...there were pink, white, and red.  I thought that would be okay for Easter as well.  Thing is, they are plastic, not paper coated, and when I dipped them in chocolate and stuck them in the bunny marshmallow, they just kept on going all the way through.  I realized I might also have some problem with chocolate not forming fast enough if the marshmallows were not chilled.

So, I figured out the steps...and I think they are kind of cute.  Maybe not my best work, but I think the grandbabies will greatly appreciate Grandma's hand-made chocolate covered marshmallows.  Here are the step-by-step instructions:

CHOCOLATE COVERED MARSHMALLOWS
ON A STICK!

Ingredients:

1 package Jet Puffed Marshmallows - bunny shapes
Chocolate coating (I used Wilton chocolate candy melts)
Vegetable oil
Lollipop Sticks
A Styrofoam block to hold the dipped chocolate
A deep bowl for melting chocolate (microwave safe)
Craft Tweezers
Nonpareils (I used Wilton Spring Nonpareil Sprinkles)
Rounds for nose (I used the eggs from the Wilton Colorful Egg Mix)
Pearlized Sugar Pearls for eyes and ears
Green Jimmies for whiskers (I used the ones from the Colorful Egg Mix)
Ramekins
Paper plates or bowls
Paper towels or cloths for wiping

Method:

Set up your work station:

Have Styrofoam block(s) ready with pre-punched holes (stick the lollipop sticks into the block to pre-punch)
Put candy decor in individual ramekins for easy access - the candy for the tail needs to be in a low-edged wider bowl.
Melt chocolate in microwave at 30 second increments, stirring in between until smooth - add a bit of vegetable oil if need to thin it out.

Dip 1/2 inch of lollipop stick in chocolate and insert into the middle bottom portion of the marshmallow bunny.  Be careful to center it - I didn't pay sufficient attention to that and have a few lopsided rabbits!
Put the bunny upside down on a plate or in a bowl. (Straighten out the shape as they are wocky in the bag.
When you get several - place the plate or bowl into the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes or until you can see the chocolate has hardened and the bunnies are chilled.
Remove and dip into melted chocolate, rolling to coat if necessary.  I used a spoon to help the covering process along.
Tap off excess chocolate using the edge of your hand instead of the rim of the bowl - turning and allowing excess to drip back into the bowl.  Be patient.  Use a toothpick to pop any little bubbles that form.  Check the crevices - I found many bubbles there.
When it seems like all the excess has dribbled off - turn the bunny upright.
Using tweezers, decorate the bunny's face.  I tried eyes on the sides and on the front.  I tried not decorating the ears, but ended up liking some pearlized sugar pearls to accent the ears....and I liked eyes on the front better.  I struggled with the nose too...I tried jelly beans cut in half, I tried large sugar pearls, I liked the little egg shape best.  There are so many sprinkle options...I am sure you can find something that suits your taste.

Carefully coat the back cottontail section with nonpareils or glittery crystal sugar
Place stick in styrofoam block to dry.

I put each one in a treat bag and tied it with curly ribbon.  They are a cute little edition to the Easter goodie collection...and I didn't have to make homemade marshmallows,
which made clean-up a heck of a lot easier. :-)

Fun crafts with food...it's fun to play!

Bon Appetit, Y'all!!!

I shared this post at the following link parties: