Bunny Table Runner

This is the first thing I have made, based on a Pinterest idea.  I am so happy with how it turned out!

Click here to see where I got the idea from.

I wasn't crazy about cutting out my own stencil, so I kept looking for a bunny stamp or stencil to use.  I found this bunny stencil at Hobby Lobby and it worked great!  The runner, paint and yarn came from Michael's.  The runner I bought was about twice as long as I needed it to be, so I cut it and applied Fray Check to the cut end.

Like the original directions say, make sure you put paper bags under the areas that you are stenciling.  I also had to use quite a bit of Elmer's glue to glue the tails on.  I tried other adhesive, but this worked best.  For the tails, I wrapped the yarn around a meat fork as a dinner fork was too small.   After wrapping the yarn around about 60 times, you cut another piece of yarn to tie the opposite way, to make the puffs.  I tied this piece twice, to ensure it was tight.  The first two tails I made were a disaster - they came apart when I started cutting the loops.  But, after moving up to the bigger fork and doing a double tie at the end, it worked well.  I also changed scissors and used a pair with a fine point.  After several hours, I removed the bags and put waxed paper under each bunny, and let them dry over night.

This is my Easter craft for the year.  I have about 5 desserts I want to make, so I need to figure out which ones to make this week.  Either that or my small group will be eating Easter themed desserts for the next month!

Bunny Table Runner

Bunny Table Runner

Close-up of Bunny Table Runner

Whoopie Pies (Chocolate with Pink Vanilla Filling)

Finally, the whoopie pies based on the ones I grew up with!

These are also called Gobs, but I think whoopie pies sound so much better and more fun!

I made these for Little C's school Valentine's Party, so the vanilla filling is pink.  I have also made them with green mint filling.    I really prefer these over the ones I made last year, as they are not as rich, and the cakes are much more moist.

The filling is made with a flour paste which sounds unappealing at first, but is really nice.  The key is to keep mixing the filling so that it is fluffy and doesn't separate.  The second time I didn't mix it long enough and the filling wasn't as pretty.  The recipe even says to mix for 10 minutes, but I guess I overlooked that detail.  This last time, I put the mixer on med/high, set the timer for 10 minutes and walked away.  The filling looked good even before I added the pink.   

My recipe is based on one from the Pennsylvania Grange Cookbook.

Whoopie Pies

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cocoa
• 1/3 cup of coffee (liquid)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl.  Add the other ingredients and mix well.  Drop by teaspoonful (I used a small cookie scoop) on to a parchment lined baking sheet, and bake at 350 for 7 minutes.  Do not over bake!  Cool on the cookie sheet for a couple of minutes then place on a wax paper covered cooling rack.  Do not stack the cookies or they may stick together.  The batter is thick but, I only baked 8 at a time to prevent them from running together during baking.

Whoopie Pie Filling

• 1/2 cup of milk
• 2 Tablespoons flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (and/or flavoring of choice)
• pinch of salt

Cook milk and flour, until a nice paste forms.  Stir well while cooking.  Cool the paste. (I find it's best to do this before I make the cookies)  Cream sugar and butter; add cold paste, vanilla and salt.  Beat about 10 minutes with an electric mixer.  Spread filling on one cookie, then place another on top.  

Makes 2+ dozen.

If you want to be extra generous with the filling, I recommend doubling the filling recipe.

They take a little extra time, but are so worth it!

Whoopie Pies