SUGAR-COATED MARSHMALLOW BUNNIES AND CHICKS

Sugar-Coated Marshmallow Bunnies and Chicks image

The idea of making marshmallow treats from scratch may seem daunting, but while the task is exacting, it isn't complicated, and you can be sure guests will marvel at your creations.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes

Yield Makes about 2 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 4

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups fine crystal colored sugar or turbinado sugar
Luster dust or sparkle dust (optional)
1 recipe Marshmallow for Piping
1 recipe Royal Icing for Marshmallow Treats

Steps:

Fill a rimmed baking sheet or several shallow bowls with sugar. Pipe shapes onto sugar. If desired, color white crystal sugar by stirring in luster dust or sparkle dust a little at a time.
For bunnies, pipe a 1 1/4-inch mound about 1/2 inch tall onto sugar. Pipe a small mound on one side for the tail; pipe a larger mound for the head on the opposite side. With a damp finger, pat down the spikes formed from piping the body, tail, and head. Pipe the ears, starting from the top of the head, and pipe onto the body, pulling forward and off to finish. Pat down the spikes on the ears. Working quickly so the marshmallow surface does not dry, use a spoon to cover the entire surface with sugar. Allow to sit a few minutes to set, and lift out of sugar with a spoon or small offset spatula. Pipe on royal-icing faces with a 1/32-inch (#1 Ateco) tip; place in a parchment-lined airtight container until ready to serve, or up to 2 weeks.
For chicks, pipe an oval shape about 1 inch wide, tapering the end and pulling upward to finish with the tail. On the opposite end, for the neck and face, pipe a mound about the width of the body, pushing toward tail and up. Pull away from the face to form the beak. Working quickly so the marshmallow surface does not dry, use a spoon to sprinkle sugar over the surface. Allow shape to sit a few minutes to set; lift out of sugar with a spoon or small offset spatula. Make large and small chicks by changing the dimensions. Pipe on royal-icing eyes with a 1/32-inch (#1 Ateco) tip; place in a parchment-lined airtight container until ready to serve, or up to 2 weeks.