Sure, Easter is all about the candy, chocolate, and egg hunts, but it’s also about quality time, too. And crafting is a great way to spend some time with your little bunnies whipping up some amazing treats that will make them so, so hoppy. Even if you’re not too crafty in the kitchen, these 4 fun Easter crafts from McCormick are simple enough that anyone can pull off. From marshmallows to homemade Play Dough to pasta, Easter crafts have never been cooler — or more delicious.
HOMEMADE EASTER MARSHMALLOWS
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup cold water, divided
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 envelopes (1/4 ounce each) unflavored gelatin
1 tablespoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
DIRECTIONS:
- For the Colored Sugar, place sugar in large resealable plastic Select your desired Marshmallow Variation in the tips section below and add the designated amount of Food Color with the sugar. Seal bag and knead gently until color is evenly distributed. Spread colored sugar in thin layer on large rimmed baking sheet and break up any large lumps. Allow to dry thoroughly, about 15 to 20 minutes. Sift or press through sieve, if needed. Spray 13×9 baking dish with no stick cooking spray then coat with some of the colored sugar. Set aside.
- For the Marshmallows, microwave 1/2 cup of the water, sugar and corn syrup in medium microwavable bowl on HIGH 7 Stir to dissolve sugar. Microwave on HIGH 5 minutes longer. (Mixture will have a slight yellow tint.) Carefully remove hot bowl from microwave.
- Place remaining 1/2 cup water in large mixer Sprinkle with gelatin. Let stand 5 minutes. Gradually beat in hot syrup mixture with whisk attachment on medium-low speed. Beat 8 minutes. Increase speed to medium-high. Beat 10 to 12 minutes longer or until mixture is fluffy, shiny and at least tripled in volume. Beat in vanilla.
- Spread marshmallow mixture in prepared Smooth top with a spatula. Sprinkle some more of the colored sugar on top to coat. Let stand at room temperature overnight or refrigerate at least 3 hours. Reserve remaining colored sugar in large resealable plastic bag or airtight container.
- Cut marshmallows with 1- to 2-inch Easter cookie Add marshmallows in batches to reserved colored sugar in bag; toss to coat well. Shake off excess. Store marshmallows in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.
EASTER EGGS
INGREDIENTS:
1 dozen large eggs
Vinegar
McCormick® Assorted Food Colors & Egg Dye McCormick® Assorted NEON! Food Colors & Egg Dye
DIRECTIONS:
- Gently place eggs in single layer in large Add enough cold water to cover eggs by 1 inch. Cover. Bring just to boil on high heat. Remove from heat. Let stand 12 minutes. (Adjust time up or down by 3 minutes for each size larger or smaller).
- Pour off hot water and rapidly cool eggs by running them under cold water (or place in ice water) until completely
- Mix 1/2 cup boiling water, 1 teaspoon vinegar and 10 to 20 drops food color in a cup to achieve desired colors. Repeat for each Dip hard-cooked eggs in dye for about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon, wire egg holder or tongs to add and remove eggs from dye. Allow eggs to dry.
RAINBOW PLAY DOUGH
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1/4 cup McCormick® Cream of Tartar
2 cups water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
McCormick® Assorted Food Colors & Egg Dye
Wax paper
DIRECTIONS:
- Mix flour, salt and cream of tartar in medium Add water and oil; mix well. Add 20 drops of desired food color.
- Cook about 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture holds (Have a grown-up do the cooking.)
- Remove from Scrape dough onto wax paper to cool. Knead slightly until dough is smooth.
- Store in an airtight May be kept for 2 to 4 weeks.
PLAYTIME PASTA
INGREDIENTS:
Assorted uncooked pasta shapes, such as ziti, macaroni, shells, bow-ties or rotelle
White vinegar
McCormick® Assorted Food Colors & Egg Dye
Small resealable plastic bags
DIRECTIONS:
- Put a handful of pasta, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 2 to 3 drops food color into a resealable plastic Shake until pasta is tinted.
- Spread pasta on paper plate or paper bag to dry.
- Tint pasta different colors in separate bags.