Color cake - not eggs - for a festive Easter treat

Do you like the idea of decorating eggs for Easter more than the idea of actually eating them?

What if you could do the decorating on something a little sweeter?

I’ve got the answer to both questions: Easter Egg Cake Bites.

That’s right — cake bites shaped — and decorated— like Easter Eggs.

Give the crumbled cake filling a light lemony flavor with lemon extract.

Easter Egg Cake Bites

Cake bites:

1 package (15 ounces) white cake mix

2 teaspoons pure lemon extract

Assorted food colors and egg dye

1 cup marshmallow creme

14 ounces (1 bag) white confectionary coating wafers

Decorating glaze:

2 teaspoons water

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

Assorted food colors and egg dye

Prepare cake mix as directed on package, adding lemon extract and desired food color. Bake as directed on package for 13-by-9-inch baking pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

Crumble cake into large bowl. Add marshmallow creme; mix until well blended. Shape into 1-inch balls then roll to form an egg shape. Refrigerate 2 hours.

Melt coating wafers or chocolate as directed on package. Using a fork, dip 1 cake bite at a time into the confectionary coating or chocolate. Tap back of fork 2 or 3 times against edge of dish to allow excess to drip off. Place cake bites on wax paper-lined tray.

For the decorating glaze: Mix confectioners’ sugar and water in small bowl until well blended. Tint with desired food color. Using a fork, drizzle glaze over cake bites. Let stand until glaze is set.

Makes 4 dozen or 24 (2 cake bite) servings.

Cooking tips

Use 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon raspberry extract in place of the lemon extract.

To prepare cake bites in multiple colors, divide prepared cake batter into 2 or 3 bowls. Tint each batch with desired food color. Pour into muffin pan. Bake as directed on package. Crumble cake into separate bowls. Divide marshmallow creme among bowls. Continue as directed.

Confectionary coating, also known as almond bark, is used for candy making and coating. It is packaged in wafer form and is available in a variety of colors and flavors, including milk and dark chocolate. It is found in the cake decorating aisle of craft and party stores.

Recipe from: McCormick

Terri Hahn of Osceola has worked in food media for more than 30 years and has won numerous state and national awards

for her writing. Email her at [email protected].