Snow Eggs {hostess knock off}

Perfect for Spring and Easter!

*THIS IS A REPOST*

when i found this fabulous

vintage cake pan

at a local shop

i couldn't wait to make cakes

cakes

with creamy filling

robed in sticky marshmallow

and

covered with

dreamy

pastel-painted

coconut

cakes. like. these.

marshmallow cakes

makes approximately 18

1 batch devil's food cake (recipe here)

1 batch cream filling (recipe here)

1 batch marshmallow topping (recipe here)

colored coconut

butter, or spray cake pan and dust with cocoa powder.  fill to 3/4 full and bake in 350 oven until tester comes out clean

let cool completely before filling

meanwhile, make cream filling

using a pastry bag with a "fill" tip

squeeze about 2 Tbs of cream into the center of the cake through the large end of the egg

 to make your colored coconut

simply take about a cup of sweetened flake coconut and place it in a ziploc bag.  drop in 2-3 drops of food color and close the bag. massage with your hands until all coconut has a bit of color in it. set aside until you are ready to use.

do not make your marshmallow until you are ready for it. marshmallow sets up quite fast, if possible get someone to help you, this will help it go both smoothly and quickly.

when you are ready, arrange your filled cakes on parchment paper in groupings of what color you will be topping them with

now 

make your marshmallow topping.

while the marshmallow topping is still slightly warm, but is perfectly fluffed, stop whipping.  immediately begin topping your marshmallows, simply by pouring a bit of marshmallow on top.

 if you are doing this alone, stop after every two or three and generously sprinkle the coconut on top and sides. if you have a helper, allow them to immediately follow you with the coconut.  your marshmallow will set up within 5 or so minutes.

don't panic, just be aware.

i think these would be just darling wrapped and hidden in the garden

for a truly joyous

easter egg hunt

the french truffle {chocolate}

i do love the simplicity 

of a unfussed

truffle

no gild

or

frill

just quality chocolate

a bit of cream

a splash of cognac

a wisp of sea salt

and

butter

dipped and dusted

the french truffle

(printable recipe)

9 oz bittersweet chocolate (min 65%)

6 oz heavy cream

pinch sea salt

1 Tbs unsalted butter

2 Tbs cognac

*chocolate for coating and cocoa powder (or powdered sugar) for dusting

bring heavy cream and sea salt to a simmer over low heat.  place chocolate bits in a large bowl.  cut the butter into small pieces and place in bowl with chocolate.  remove cream from heat and swirl in cognac until incorporated. pour over the chocolate bits and allow to sit 1 minute before stirring.  stir until the chocolate and butter is melted and fully incorporated into the cream.  the mixture should be thick.  allow to sit at room temperature until it hardens enough to form into balls. 

using a small ice cream scoop, or melon baller, form filling into balls. roll them between your palms until they are perfectly round.  allow to sit out (or place in the refrigerator) until they harden up again. if you put in the fridge, allow to come to room temperature. 

at this point, you may roll them directly into the cocoa powder or powdered sugar.  i like to enrobe mine in chocolate. it gives them the rough exterior as well as helps preserve the delicate filling.  

to enrobe:

it is not required to use tempered chocolate for this particular truffle because you will be rolling it immediately in cocoa powder. it is however, important that you do not heat your chocolate to too high a temperature otherwise it will not harden back up properly.  using a microwave safe bowl, cook about 8 oz of chocolate pieces 30 seconds at a time in the microwave.  after the first 30 seconds, check the heat of the bowl. if it is really hot, you can melt the chocolate in its residual heat.  remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the chocolate. if it melts completely, then you are done. if it doesn't melt at all...cook for another 30 seconds...if it is almost melted, go down to 10 second increments and watch to make sure that it doesn't get too hot.

when you are ready, place a shallow bowl of cocoa powder next to your bowl of melted chocolate.  dip each truffle in the melted chocolate, then immediately drop into the cocoa powder.  coat it completely, then remove to a lined baking sheet to cool.  i do not recommend putting the truffles in the refrigerator before or after dipping (to harden) because it can cause the filling to expand and contract, and break through the coating.  they should do fine at room temperature to firm up. I do however,  recommend refrigeration for longer term storage.  

you can also freeze the filling (once you have them formed into balls) well sealed for up to a month.  remove them and allow them to defrost in the refrigerator, then come to room temperature before dipping, being careful to remove any condensation.

lollipops

these are rather simple

but

it is important 

that your 

thermometer is accurate

and

humidity levels are at a minimum

lollipops

2 cups sugar

2/3 cup corn syrup

1/2 tsp cream of tartar

1/4 cup water

2 tsp flavor (if using extract--much less if using oils)

food color

place sugar, corn syrup, cream of tartar and water in a heavy bottomed pot. stir to combine, and wash down sides with a pastry brush dipped in a bit of water.  place on very low heat and stir until the sugar has melted and the liquid begins looks clear.  cease stirring and insert candy thermometer.  allow to boil, untouched until the syrup reaches 290F.  don't loose patience, keep the fire on very low.  at 290F, begin to watch very carefully.  i like to allow the temp to come all the way to 310F, but if you are making a light colored pop, you may want to stop at 300F, as the sugar begins to develop a color around 295F.  when you reach your desired temperature, add the food color and flavoring, and swirl to incorporate.  keep the pot on the fire and allow it to come back up to temperature (300F or 310F respectively).

carefully pour into your molds, or onto a greased sheet of foil.  add sticks and then allow to cool at room temperature.

(makes about 18-20 2" pops)