What are Easter Bunnies? Do they really lay eggs? Are they any relation to chickens? Where do they live? What do they eat? How are they made? All pressing questions that keep us up at night. Perhaps, I can put your mind at ease.
First, let's clear up some of the rumours and misconceptions surrounding Easter Bunnies. Contrary to popular belief, they are of no relation to Stuart Little, Remy from Ratatouille, or any of the other famous rodent clan. And the claims that suggest they are the illegitimate siblings of Peter, Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail are incorrect. I have even heard rumours of Jessica Rabbit's illicit affair with a famous yellow bird (who shall remain unnamed) brought about these colourful, egg-laying hoppers. False, I tell ya! And disturbing, actually...
Easter bunnies are a special rabbit breed, born from real magic! None of that pull one out of a hat waving a handkerchief nonsense. Real magic! I am talking potions and powders and crystals and fire kind of magic! And you don't need to travel to Vegas and pay to see it - the nearest kitchen will do just fine.
First, you will need to get your hands on some magical crystal disaccharide, unbleached dried and grounded grains, a couple blocks of emulsion of animal fat extracted from a cow (sheep, buffalo and yak may be substituted), one Ova of the Gallus gallus domesticus, a few grains of vaina and scrapings of the genus Citrus.
Next, pull down the shades, lock the doors and light up the cauldron - an oven works just as well - follow the steps below, and...
ABARACADABARA - POOF! You've got bunnies!
And you know what they say about bunnies. Before you know it, two turn into twenty, into two hundred, into... Luckily, we have a satisfyingly, effective means of controlling their population - NOM-NOM-NOM!
I first saw this layered technique on a beautiful blog I have been frequenting since last Spring, Mensaje En Una Galleta, where inspiration abounds.
I really enjoyed making these Pastel Layered Easter Bunny Cookies - a nice break from royal icing, fondant and frosting. I think you would too!
So what did we learn? Well, not much about the Easter Bunny, but maybe a little black bunny magic. Yes!?!
More Easter Treats:
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 226 grams salted butter cold
- 135 grams granulated white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon crushed Tahitian vanilla beans
- 295 grams all purpose flour
- 1 drop each of gel paste colour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Place oven rack in the center of the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat.
- In the bowl of your electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, lemon zest, and vanilla beans.
- Gradually whisk the flour into the creamed mixture and beat just until incorporated.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Divide the dough in thirds and colour each ball of dough using gel colours of your choice. Shape each ball of dough into disks and wrap separately in plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator until firm, or overnight if not baking immediately.
- Remove from fridge and use a rolling pin to roll dough out each disk to about ¼ inch thick. Place the sheets of dough in the freezer for about two minutes. Remove from freezer and lay the coloured sheets of dough one on top of the other in the desired order.
- Use the rolling pin to press the layers together. Cut into desired shapes and place
- on the baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Place
- in freezer for about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from freezer, let rest 30 seconds and then bake the cookies for about 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are a very light brown.
- Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Decorate as desired.
Tried this recipe?Mention @isugarcoatit or tag #isugarcoatit !
I Sugar Coat It! says
What an awesome idea. The pastel colored layers are soo cute. And I love your creative write-up about the magic needed to create these cute bunnies 🙂
I Sugar Coat It! says
They are adorable!
I Sugar Coat It! says
Love these J! They look so sweet. Incredible how one gallus gallus makes one dozen oryctolagus cuniculus 🙂
I Sugar Coat It! says
Love Mensaje En Una Galleta's site and I love how you made your bunny cookies. The colours are perfect for Easter. Cute post!
I Sugar Coat It! says
Hahaaaa... incredible indeed!
I Sugar Coat It! says
I didn't want to eat them, they looked so cute, but I quickly got over it. 😉
I Sugar Coat It! says
I wish I had more time to flush out a full fable and do a video - I had what I think is a really cool idea. Some other time. 🙁
I Sugar Coat It! says
YES!! I wish Google's translation tool did a better job of translating to English. Love looking all the same. Thx!
I Sugar Coat It! says
these are so fun!!
I Sugar Coat It! says
A perfect Easter post! From the intriguing title and story to the enchanting bunny cookies, I'm charmed!
I Sugar Coat It! says
Hi there!, those bunnies look great. There's no need to use Google as we have started to have our posts translated!
http://www.mensajeenunagalleta.com/web/2012/04/deja-que-tu-masa-brille-let-your-dough-shine/
I Sugar Coat It! says
Fun to eat as well, Carrie!! 😉
I Sugar Coat It! says
So pleased you enjoyed!!
I Sugar Coat It! says
Thanks for dropping by!! Had not noticed the English translation... Will check it out again!