easter treat

Looking for a crafternoon cooking idea? These Easter chicks are just the sweetest.

Baby chicks in nests

(2 cups) shredded coconut

(1/2 cup) caster sugar

egg whites, lightly whisked

(1/3 cup) thickened cream

lemon

Baking White Chocolate Block, finely chopped

Yellow food colouring, to tint

Mini orange M&M’s

Chocolate writing icing

Step 1

Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan forced. Cut twelve 8cm squares of baking paper.

Step 2

Combine coconut, sugar and egg whites in a bowl. Place a heaped tablespoon of coconut mixture on a square of baking paper. Use wet fingertips to press to a 7cm round. Place in a round-bottomed patty pan. Repeat with the remaining coconut mixture and paper squares. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown (they will still be slightly moist at the base). Cool in pan for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Step 3

Meanwhile, for filling, place cream and rind in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to the boil. Remove from heat and set aside for 5 minutes to develop the flavours. Place the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl. Return cream mixture to the boil, then pour over the chocolate. Discard rind. Stir until melted and smooth. Use food colouring to tint until pale yellow. Set aside to cool and thicken slightly.

Step 4

Spoon the filling into the tart cases. To make beaks, insert an M&M sideways in each. To make eyes, use the writing icing to dab two dots above each beak. Place in the fridge to set completely.

These choc-raisin hot cross buns are the best way to kick off Easter, and the whole family will thank you for it.

Choc-raisin hot cross buns with Pedro Ximénez glaze recipe

seedless raisins

(180 milliliters) Pedro Ximénez or muscat

unsalted butter, chopped

milk

white bread flour

(300 grams) wholemeal plain spelt flour

rapadura sugar brown sugar

tbs cacao nibs

tbs Dutch cocoa powder

(about 2 sachets) dried yeast

cinnamon

milk & dark chocolate, chopped

(75 grams) wholemeal plain spelt flour

(60 milliliters) milk

tsp ground cinnamon

(60 milliliters) Pedro Ximénez

Place raisins and Pedro Ximénez in a jar, seal and shake to combine. Set aside to soak for 2-3 hours, inverting the jar every so often. Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl, reserving the Pedro Ximénez for the glaze.

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then add milk and warm slightly. Remove from heat and whisk in egg to combine.

Combine the flours, sugar, cacao nibs, cocoa, yeast, cinnamon, and 1 tsp salt flakes in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Mixing on medium speed, gradually add the milk mixture until combined. Add drained raisins, increase speed to medium-high and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer dough to a lightly buttered bowl, turn to coat, cover with plastic wrap and stand in a warm place for 45 minutes-1 hour until doubled in size.

Step 5

Grease a large baking tray and line with baking paper. Knock back dough on a well-floured surface, then press out slightly and scatter over chocolate. Knead lightly to combine, then divide dough into 20 even pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball. Place a ball in the centre of the prepared tray, then arrange remaining balls around it in two concentric circles, leaving about 1cm in between each. Cover loosely with a clean tea towel and stand for 30 minutes or until risen by half.

Step 6

For the piping, combine flour, milk, cinnamon and 1 tbs water in a small bowl until smooth. Transfer to a zip-lock bag and cut a small hole on one corner. Pipe a cross on each bun and bake for 10 minutes, then reduce oven to 180°C and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and buns sound hollow when tapped. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.

Step 7

For the Pedro Ximénez glaze, stir ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar has dissolved, bring to the boil, then remove from the heat. Brush glaze generously over warm buns and serve.

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Baby chicks in nests

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Top 2 easter treat recipes from across the web

The most viewed easter treat recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Baby chicks in nests

Choc-raisin hot cross buns with Ped...

The most viewed easter treat recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine