Sparkling Bunny Recipes

Steps:

• Spread a thin layer of frosting (about 2/3 cup) on the flat side of one cake layer and top with the flat side of the second cake layer. Measure 5 inches across the top of the cake and cut down through the layers, creating 2 layered pieces that are slightly different sizes.
• Place the larger piece of cake cut-side down on a large platter or cake board. If using a rectangular cake board, place the larger piece so that the long edges are parallel with the long edges of the board. This is the body of the bunny. Cut the smaller piece of cake in half crosswise, so you have 2 layered wedges. Place one wedge in front of the body, with one flat side on the board and the other flat side against the body. The curved side will be on top. Take a serrated knife and round off the sharp edges on top of the head. Cut the tip off (the nose) at a 45-degree angle. Reserve all scraps in a bowl.
• Separate the layers of the remaining wedge of cake. These will be the back legs. Round the sharp edges of the cake wedges with your knife and add to the scrap bowl. Place one piece on each side of the bunny, with one flat side down and the other flat side facing forward (the round side towards the back of the bunny), about 1 inch from the end of the bunny's body.
• Mix the cake scraps in the bowl with a fork until mashed and then pack into a ball with your hands. Place the ball behind the bunny's body and adhere with a dab of frosting. This is the bunny's tail.
• Frost the entire bunny, tail and all, using 2 to 3 cups of the frosting, keeping some definition with the bunny parts and frosting more generously around any sharp edges to give a rounded look to the bunny parts. Sprinkle the bunny with the coconut to fully cover. Gently pat to adhere.
• Insert the biscotti between the head and body, pressing into the cake to secure them. These are the ears. Place the base of the ears close together at the center of the head and angle them out. Frost the front of each biscotti with some frosting. Then, using the pink decorating icing, frost a smaller strip in the center of each biscotti, going down to where the ears meet the head but not going all the way to the top.
• To make the face, press a black jelly bean into each side of the head for the eyes. Cut one of the marshmallows into 3 circles, discard the middle piece and press the 2 end circles, cut-sides in, into the front of the face for the bunny cheeks. Push the white jelly bean halves into the face below the cheeks, round-sides out, for the teeth. Place the pink jelly bean above for the nose.
• Unroll the licorice wheel and cut 2 pieces, each about 1 1/2 inches long. For each piece, peel the strips apart halfway down and then cut each separated strip in half lengthwise so you end up with a piece looking a bit like a broom. Repeat with the second piece of licorice. Tuck each piece, with a dab of frosting, behind a marshmallow cheek, with the cut ends facing out for the whiskers.
• Cut the second marshmallow in half lengthwise. Make 3 slits in each half, going about halfway through (these are the toes), and place in front of the legs for the bunny's feet. Adhere the bottom of the feet with frosting if necessary.
• Combine the butter, confectioners' sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until mostly incorporated. Add the vanilla, increase the speed to medium-high and mix until smooth. Adjust the consistency with milk as desired.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 10-inch round cake pans with baking spray.
• Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes.
• While you are beating your butter, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a separate bowl.
• Beat the eggs into the butter mixture, one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla.
• Reduce the mixer speed to medium low; beat in half the flour mixture, then all of the milk, then the remaining flour mixture until just combined.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean, about 35 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through.
• Transfer the pans to a rack and let cool 10 minutes, then invert the cake layers onto a wire rack and cool completely before decorating.

Steps:

• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the sugar and egg yolks. Whip on high speed until they are pale in color, about 6 minutes.
• Heat the milk along with the ground cinnamon, anise, cloves, cinnamon stick and vanilla seeds in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until it comes to a simmer, then turn off the heat.
• Pour half the mixture (avoid adding spices) into the egg yolks and whisk by hand to combine. Combine the egg yolk mixture with the remaining milk and return to the stove.
• Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring, until it almost reaches a simmer. Stir in the heavy cream and bourbon. Turn off the heat and let cool completely.
• When ready to serve, whip the egg whites to medium stiff peaks. Stir into the cooled mixture. Divide among glasses and garnish with the whipped cream and grated nutmeg.

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the pesto and spinach for an extra vegetable-y pesto. Blend until smooth, adding more olive oil if necessary. Set aside.
• To build the sandwiches: Line up the sandwich bread on a baking sheet into 2 rows of 4. Spread 1 tablespoon pesto on each slice. On 4 of the slices, place 1 piece mozzarella in the middle of each, then 1 slice provolone. Finish building the sandwiches with the top pieces of bread, placing them on the cheese pesto-side facing down. Gently press down on each sandwich to lightly flatten. Cut each into a bunny shape with a 4-by-3-inch bunny-shaped cookie cutter.
• In a 9-inch square baking dish, vigorously whisk the eggs and milk until the yolks are fully incorporated into the whites to make a batter (you shouldn't see blotches of bright yellow yolks, rather a homogenous light yellow mixture). Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and whisk to combine. In a second 9-inch square baking dish, mix together the breadcrumbs, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and few cracks of black pepper.
• Heat a thin layer of neutral oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat (the oil should reach 1/4-inch up the side of the skillet). Line a baking sheet with a cooling rack.
• Meanwhile, carefully place the sandwiches, one at a time, into the egg batter: Coat a sandwich on all sides, allowing the excess egg to drip off before transferring to the breadcrumbs. Dredge the sandwich in the crumbs and transfer back to the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining 3 sandwiches.
• Using a metal spatula, gently place each sandwich into the hot oil. Fry until the crust is golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes, then carefully flip the sandwich away from you to fry for another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the sandwiches to the cooling rack to drain of excess oil.