Cottontails

One of the things I love the most about holidays is that it gives me a really good excuse to make themed desserts.  Brenna loves arts and crafts, and cookie making is an amazing opportunity to combine her love of creating things with my love of cooking to make some really fun Easter themed cookies and some really great memories as well.  I looked on the internet and decided on some super cute Cottontails and Robin Egg Nests (3 different types mind you...because I am the world's most indecisive person).  I'll post the Nests in a separate post because I really want to get the Cottontails posted since quite a few people have asked to see them.

All 3 of my kids had a lot of fun making them.  You don't need a whole lot of ingredients for these and the dough is super easy to make.  Forming the cookies is a little tricky at first, but after a few of them it does get easier, so don't get discouraged.  Tyler was actually really good at making them...see even a 10 year old can create Cottontails.  It's kind of like playing with Play-Doh because you have to roll the dough into a ball and then into a rope...kind of like the snakes we all used to make as kids.  They had a lot of fun with the decorating part.  The colored sprinkles give them just the right Easter touch....the rainbow mix was actually Tyler's idea.  Good thinking buddy!  If you like the taste of sugar cookies, you will definitely like these cookies!

I know what you are thinking.  I can't believe they are going to eat ALL those cookies!!  While I might eat some of the cookies, I will definitely be sharing a majority of them with the neighbors and taking some to our family Easter celebration on Sunday.  My favorite thing to do might be to cook and bake, but my second favorite thing to do is share what I have made with my friends and family!!

Cottontails

*Recipe yields approximately 2 dozen cookies.

3/4 c/ butter, softened

2/3 c. white sugar

1 egg

1/2 tsp. almond extract

2 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

Colored sugar

Miniature Marshmallows

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar using an electric hand mixer.

Add the egg and almond extract and blend well.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder.  Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a smooth dough is formed.

Don't be surprised if you have to use your hands to mix at the end.  These are very hands on cookies!!

Roll 1 tbsp. of dough into a ball using the palms of your hands.

Just like playing with Play-Doh!

Roll each ball into a 5 1/2" rope...just like a Play-Doh snake!  It should look something like this.

It should not, however, end up looking like this! =)

Nice try Assistant Chef...try again!

Fold the dough rope in half.

Gently twist the rope twice to form the rabbit.  Can you see the little bunny yet?? 

Even Aiden played with the dough...although it was admittedly hard to keep him from eating it.

Trying to roll the dough!  He's still in training!

Tyler on the other hand gets a gold star!

Rolling it into a rope.  His art teacher should be proud!

It took me a good 4 or 5 tries to get my first cookie from not ripping apart.  Tyler only needed one try!  I was amazed.  What technique!

In a small bowl, place some colored decorating sugar.

Gently press the cookie into the sprinkles to coat well.

Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet 1" apart from each other.

Brenna decorating her "Cottontail".  You REALLY have to use your imagination for hers!

Hmmmmm....which cookie can I steal first???

Bake in a 325 degree oven for 15 mins.

Remove from the oven and immediately place one miniature marshmallow on the bottom part of each cookie. 

Return to the oven for an additional minute to slightly melt the marshmallow.

Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet until slightly cooled.  Then gently transfer to a plate to cool completely.

The finished Cottontails.  Cute!

Recipe for: Cottontails

www.momsaysjustonebite.blogspot.com

To prepare: Preheat oven to 325°.  Recipe yields approximately 2 dozen cookies.

Ingredients

Directions

¾ c. unsalted butter, softened 2/3 c. white sugar 1 egg ½ tsp. almond extract 2 c. all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder Colored sugar Miniature marshmallows

1.       In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar using an electric hand mixer. 2.       Add the egg and almond extract and blend well. 3.       In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. 4.       Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix well until dough is smooth. 5.       With the palms of your hands, shape a tablespoon of dough into a ball.  Gently roll the ball into a 5 ½” rope.  Fold the dough in half and gently twist twice to form the shape of a rabbit. 6.       Gently press one side of the cookie into a bowl of colored sugar. 7.       Place the cookies 1” apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. 8.       Bake in a preheated oven for 15 mins. 9.       Remove baking sheet and immediately place 1 miniature marshmallow on the bottom part of the cookie. 10.   Return to the oven for an additional minute to slightly melt the marshmallows. 11.   Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet until slightly cool. 12.   Transfer cookies to a plate to cool completely.