What To Do With All That Easter Candy

My home is now filled with empty plastic eggs, empty Easter baskets, half eaten bags of candy and sugar overloaded kids which only means there must be a few piles of candy around my house. So, now what will I do with all of this leftover candy?

Option #1 - Let my kids continue to overload on the sugar or Option #2 use a few of the creative ideas below:

Left over chocolate bunnies and eggs –

Melt them and create a yummy Fondu'

Melt them and create chocolate dipped strawberries.

Chop them up and use in your Chocolate chip cookie recipes.

Melt them over ice cream

Chop them up and add to a batch of brownies

Bake a batch of chocolate muffins

Shave the chocolate and use on top of other desserts and sundaes

M&M’s

Add into your cookie recipes

Add into your next batch of cupcakes

Add into brownies or Rice Krispie treats

Make a Brownie pizza

Add to your morning pancakes

Use in decorative jars for Spring

Peeps

Make microwave S’mores

for more leftover Peeps recipes click here

Jelly Beans

Jelly Bean Guess - During your next party or event place a jar full of jelly beans out allowing everyone to guess how many are in the jar. Winner gets to keep the jar.

National Jelly Bean day - April 22nd is National Jelly Bean day celebrate it.

Bingo Fun - Use jelly beans as bingo markers.

Trail Mix add in - Put some jelly beans in your trail mix. The added sugar will give you a boost or sugar high. Mix one part each of peanuts, pretzels, and jelly beans and any other yummy items you like in your trail mix.

Math Beans- Have your children create graphs with jelly beans sorting them by colors.

Creative Cupcakes - Use jelly beans to decorate cupcakes. With the variety of colors the decorating ideas are endless. Easy addition to making your cupcakes FUN.

Holiday Fun - Save your jelly beans in a zip lock bag to use on your Christmas Gingerbread houses.

Recipes - Create a Yummy dessert with Jelly Beans. Click here for recipes.

What are you doing with your left over Easter candy this year?

Happy Easter - Do You Know Him?

 A few weeks ago this Dr. S.M. Lockridge video from You Tube was aired during our church service. A perfect reminder us of WHO we are celebrating today and everyday.  Do you know Him?

Five Egg-cellent Hard Boiled Egg Recipes

They have been boiled, dyed and hunted down only to potentially leave you with dozens of leftover hard boiled eggs once the  Easter celebration ends.  What egg-cellent recipes can you create with these lefts over eggs? We found five egg-cellent recipes to share with you

Old-Fashioned Egg Salad Recipe

From Taste of Home:

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 6 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
• 1/2 cup finely chopped celery

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, onion, salt and pepper. Stir in eggs and celery. Cover and refrigerate. Yield: 3 servings.

Creamy Ham 'n' Egg Casserole

From Taste Of Home

Ingredients

• 2 medium cooked potatoes, peeled and sliced
• 4 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
• 1 cup diced fully cooked ham
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 egg
• 1-1/2 cups (12 ounces) BREAKSTONE'S® Sour Cream
• 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, eggs, ham, salt and pepper. Combine the egg and sour cream; add to potato mixture and gently toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish.
• Toss bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over casserole. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20 minutes or until a thermometer reaches 160°. Yield: 6 servings.

 

L.O.V.E. Egg Salad Wrap - ( lettuce, onion, vegetable, egg salad)

From: Food Network
Ingredients

• 8 hard boiled eggs
• 4 teaspoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper
• 4 pieces whole-wheat wrap bread (9 inches in diameter)
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 12 thin slices red onion
• 8 leaves romaine lettuce, torn into pieces (about 1/2 cup)

 

Layered Summer Salad

From Kraft Foods

What You Need

4 cups torn romaine lettuce

1-1/2 cups  KRAFT Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese, divided

2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1 small  red onion, sliced, separated into rings

2 tomatoes, chopped

1 pkg.  (10 oz.) frozen peas, thawed

1/2 cup KRAFT Real Mayo Mayonnaise

1/2 cup  BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

4 slices  OSCAR MAYER Bacon, cooked, crumbled

Make It

LAYER lettuce, 1 cup cheese, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and peas in 3-qt. bowl. MIX mayo, sour cream and basil; spread over salad, completely covering top of salad. TOP with remaining cheese and bacon. Refrigerate 5 hours. 

Brunch Ham and Egg Muffins from: Betty Crocker

INGREDIENTS

8	large eggs
1	package (0.9-oz) hollandaise sauce mix
1	cup milk
1/4	cup butter
1	teaspoon lemon juice
1/4	teaspoon dried dill weed
	Dash pepper
8	oz sliced cooked ham
4	English muffins, split, toasted

 Directions:

1. 1 Place eggs in single layer in large saucepan or Dutch oven; add enough cold water to cover eggs by 1 inch. Bring to a boil. Immediately remove from heat; cover and let stand 15 minutes. Drain; rinse with cold water. Place eggs in bowl of ice water; let stand 10 minutes. Peel eggs; cut eggs into quarters. Set aside.
2. 2 In medium saucepan, prepare sauce mix with milk and butter as directed on package. Stir in quartered hard-cooked eggs, lemon juice, dill and pepper. Cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
3. 3 Place ham on microwave-safe plate; cover loosely with microwave-safe plastic wrap. Microwave on Medium for 2 to 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
4. 4 Place 2 muffin halves on each serving plate. Arrange ham slices on muffins. Spoon egg mixture over ham. 

1/2 Dozen Left Over Easter Ham Recipes

Cheddar Ham Soup Recipe

From Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 2 cups diced peeled potatoes
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup sliced carrot
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1-1/2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed

Directions

• In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes, water, carrot and onion. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender.
• Meanwhile, in another saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add the milk, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted. Stir into undrained potato mixture. Add ham and peas; heat through. Yield: 7 servings.

After-Holiday Ham on Biscuits

From Taste Of Home

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons cold butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 
  CREAM SAUCE:
• 1 cup cubed fully cooked ham
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1-3/4 cups milk
• 3 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk just until moistened. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 8-10 times.
• Pat or roll out to 1/2-in. thickness; cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. biscuit cutter. Place 2 in. apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute ham and onion in butter for 3-4 minutes or until onion is crisp-tender. Stir in the bouillon, Worcestershire sauce and pepper. Combine flour and milk until smooth; gradually stir into pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Gently stir in eggs and parsley.
• Split warm biscuits in half horizontally; top with ham mixture. Yield: 4 servings.

Ham and Cheese Crescents

from: Pillsbury 


INGREDIENTS

1	can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
8	thin slices cooked ham (8 oz)
4	thin slices Cheddar cheese (4 oz), each cut into 4 strips

DIRECTIONS

1.	Heat oven to 350°F. Separate dough into 8 triangles. Place 1 piece of ham on each triangle; place 2 strips of cheese down center of ham. Fold in edges of ham to match shape of dough triangle.
2.	Roll up each crescent, ending at tip of triangle. Place with tips down on ungreased cookie sheet.
3.	Bake 15 to 19 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

Cobb salad ham roll-ups

From: PorkBeInspired.com

Ingredients:
8-12 slices ham, thinly sliced
2 slices bacon, crisp-cooked, drained, crumbled
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
2 eggs, hard-cooked, chopped
1/2 small avocado, chopped
1 Roma tomato, seeded and chopped
2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
Leaf lettuce or romaine

Directions:
Combine mayonnaise and mustard in bowl. Fold in eggs, avocado, tomato, blue cheese and bacon until combined. Set aside.
Layer each ham slice with lettuce. Place a heaping tablespoon of the egg mixture at one end of each slice. Starting at the end with the filling, roll up each slice. Secure with a wooden pick. Yield: 4 servings.
Approximate values per serving: 364 calories, 25 grams protein, 27 grams fat, 1621 milligrams sodium, 167 milligrams cholesterol, 7 grams saturated fat, 5 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber.
Source: PorkBeInspired.com

Ham & Swiss Hash Brown Bake

By:CARNATION MILKS

Ingredients

• 1 bag (16 oz.) or 4 1/2 cups frozen, shredded hash brown potatoes
• 2 cups (about 8 oz.) cooked ham, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
• 1 can (10 oz.) condensed reduced-sodium cream of mushroom soup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon or yellow mustard
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed of moisture
• 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Swiss cheese

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 400º F. Grease 2 1/2- to 3-quart casserole dish.

COMBINE potatoes, ham, evaporated milk, soup, mustard and pepper in large bowl. Pour half of potato mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with spinach and top top with remaining potato mixture. Sprinkle with cheese.

BAKE for 40 to 45 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

TIP:
• This versatile dish is great with many types of meats you may already have in your fridge. Try using chopped turkey or chicken instead of ham.

Ham and Cheese Muffins

from: Betty Crocker

Directions:

2	eggs
3	cups Original Bisquick® mix
1	cup milk
3	tablespoons vegetable oil
1	package (4 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese (1 cup)
3/4	cup chopped fully cooked ham (1/4 pound)

Instructions:

1. 1 Heat oven to 400°F. Spray bottoms and sides of 12 regular-size muffin cups with cooking spray. (Spray will work better than greasing or using paper muffin liners.)
2. 2 Beat eggs slightly in medium bowl with fork. Stir in Bisquick mix, milk and oil just until moistened. Stir in 3/4 cup of the cheese and the ham. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese evenly over tops of muffins.
3. 3 Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately remove from pan. Serve warm. Wrap and refrigerate any remaining muffins.

What to do with all those PEEPS?

Is it just me or are you also feeling like every store you walk into is being taken over by PEEPS? I see PEEPS in every color and variety as I stroll the isle of my stores.  I'm beginning to think the Easter bunny has a PEEP addiction - so what will we do with all those PEEPS once they are delivered to our homes?

Over the past few weeks 24/7 MOMS has shared a few fun PEEP recipes and ideas for our What to do with all those PEEPS after  the Easter PEEPS overload crisis.

I've quickly gathered all the ideas right here for you to easily find:

PEEP Easter Indoor Smore's

Easter Peeps make yummy and colorful indoor Smore's.  We found this fun idea over at Serious Eats.  Click here for complete how to.








 
Easter PEEPS Straws and Stir Sticks

Add a PEEP to your kids drinks after  Easter by placing one on their straws or Hot Chocolate stir sticks- We found this fun idea over at The Autocrat.  Click here for instructions.





PEEPS Rice Krispie Treats On A Stick

Simple and Fast to create these fun PEEPS Rice Krispie treat pops on a stick ( we used pre-made Rice Krispie treats) that we found over at Love From The Oven.  Click here for instructions.







Rocky Road Peeps Brownies

Create this simple and yummy recipe right from a boxed brownie mix with a few added ingredients from You know what you oughta do blog.  Click here for complete instructions.





Peeps Bunny Cookies
from: Marshmallow Peeps

Ingredients:
• 16 assorted PEEPS® Marshmallow Bunnies
• 1 tube ready-to-bake sugar cookies
• 1 container vanilla frosting
• Assorted colors of food coloring
• Egg-shaped cookie cutter

Directions:
1. Using a rolling pin, roll out sugar cookie dough to 1/4” thickness.

2.Cut egg shapes out of dough using an egg-shaped cookie cutter.

3. Bake according to package directions and let cool.

4. Divide frosting into separate containers in order to create multiple colors.

5. Combine different colors of food coloring with vanilla frosting to make desired shades of colored frosting.

6. Frost cookies.

7. Place PEEPS ® Marshmallow Bunnies onto cookies by pressing firmly into frosting.

Spring Cupcakes For Easter

Who knew that Tootsie Rolls could be shaped into bunny heads and Starburst candies could be chopped into chick beaks and rabbit noses? With a little bit of know-how and creativity, dash assistant editor Shannon McCook shows us how anyone can transform everyday candies and snack foods into adorable cupcake adornments.

Check out the how to instructions and videos on dashrecipes.com: Click here to go there now.

Dinner Conversation Starters For Easter

Create conversation at your Easter dinner table with these FREE printable Easter conversation starters from Skip To My Lou.

Click Here to print yours now.

Fun Bunny Shaped Recipes For Easter Celebrations

Create a Hopping fun Easter celebration with these adorable Bunny shaped recipes.

 Bunny Pancakes

from: Pillsbury



Put a smile on your kids face Easter morning when you serve up these Bunny pancakes.  Click here for complete how to from Pillsbury.

How to Make Bunny Pancakes 

from: Muffin Tin Mom

The Muffin Tin Mom shows you step by step how to make these adorable Pink bunny pancakes for your Easter celebration.  Click here for instructions.

Bunny Puffs

from: Pillsbury

The kids will hop right over when you serve these charming rabbits, with a chocolate treat wrapped inside crescent roll dough.

Click here for recipe and instructions.

 

 Cinnamon Roll Bunnies

from: Taste of Home

A tube of purchased cinnamon roll dough and a little imagination make these adorable bunnies almost too cute to eat! They’re sure to appeal to “somebunny” at your house this Easter. Click here for how to instructions

 

Easter Bunny Bread

From Taste of Home

These cute bunny breads are a must make for Easter meals. Kids of all ages love the chocolate egg surprise found inside. Click here to get full recipe.

Easter Bunny Rolls Recipe

From: Taste of Home

If you're planning an Easter feast, why not hop to it and roll these yummy Bunny rolls.  Click here for recipe

Bunny Veggie Tray 
from: Taste of Home

Serve up some healthy veggies in this adorable Bunny bread.  Click here for how to instructions and recipe.

Easter Bunny Cheese Spread

from: Taste of Home


We have all seen the holiday cheese spread balls - now you can create and serve your own Bunny Cheese spread  with this adorable Bunny shaped cheese spread.  Click here for how to instructions and recipe.

 

Bunny's Favorite Pizza

From: Nestle

This dessert pizza will be the hit at the kid's table at Easter this year. Click here for recipe.

1/2 Dozen Easter Egg Decorating Ideas

Are you planning a fun egg dying party or just looking fro a few creative ways to decorate Easter eggs this year.  Check out the 1/2 dozen fun ideas we found.
  



Chalkboard Eggs
From: Style at Home











Silhouette Eggs
Source: Martha Stewart










Rubber Band Egg Designs
Source: Better Homes and Gardens











 Marbled Easter Eggs
 From: Quick & Simple















Thumbprint Design Eggs
Source: Disney Family Fun












Tie Dye Easter Eggs
From: Disney Family Fun

Free Easter Printables

 

Easter Bag Toppers
Fun Easter bag toppers to create party favors or classmate gifts from Anything but perfect.  Click here to get your free bag toppers.








Easter Party Printables

Free fun Easter Printables from Party Box Design including  Easter favor box, Easter invitation, Easter cupcake topper and Easter party tags.  Click here to download your free printables.

Free Printable Easter Bookmarks

Enjoy these fun free printable bookmarks for your kids at Easter from Living Locurto perfect for your LEGO loving kids Easter basket..  Click here to print

Egg-Stra Simple Easter Basket Scavenger Hunt

Whether you're hosting an Easter egg hunt at your house or just wanting a FUN hunt for your kids these Easter Basket Scavenger Hunt printables from Embellish Goods will make it SIMPLE to create that FUN hunt.

Click here to get your FREE Easter hunt printable.

Make-ahead Brunch For Easter

 

  Are you hosting Easter brunch this year?  Enjoy your day by preparing as many dishes ahead of time - here are our 2011 Make-ahead Easter brunch recipes.


Simple Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
from: Trisha Novotny

• 16 ounces milk chocolate chips any brand
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 container fresh strawberries with leaves

Directions

1. Pour chocolate chips into microwaveable dish - I use 1/2 a bag at a time.
2. Place bowl in microwave for 30 seconds at a time on high. stirring each 30 seconds until melted ( be careful to NOT over cook)
3. Dip strawberries into melted chocolate covering all sides of it.
4. To cool place on a sheet of wax paper.

 
Fruit Slush Cups

 From: Taste of Home

This frosty favorite from Betty Webb of Nauvoo, Illinois is a great make ahead brunch basic or springtime snack. Pour the entire batch into one container to freeze, then scoop out single servings. Or spoon the colorful medley into individual plastic cups before freezing.

Click here for recipe

Make Ahead Buttermilk Breakfast Cake

from: MyRecipes.com

A simple and yummy make ahead brunch treat made from a boxed cake mix and a few added in ingredients.  Click here for recipe.

Overnight Egg Casserole

From Taste of Home

From her home in Fort Collins, Colorado, Jennifer Howell notes, “I love how easy it is to assemble this savory egg casserole. Putting it together the night before really frees up your time the next morning.” Perfect for Easter brunch

Click here for recipe

 

 
Easter Carrot Salad

Ingredients
2 pounds raw carrots sliced in circles
1 purple onion, sliced thin
1 green pepper thinly sliced
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salad mustard
1 can tomato soup
3/4 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions
Place carrots in boiling water Blanch the carrots for about 30 seconds. Place into ice cold water to stop the cooking. Drain well.
Place carrots in a large bowl, add in onion and green peppers.
Mix remaining ingredients in a separate bowl then pour over carrots.
Cover bowl and place in refrigerator for 24 hours.