Celebrate Spring with Fun Family Crafts

(ARA) - Spring is literally a breath of fresh air. You can open your windows and let the warm breeze blow away the winter cobwebs. Spring is also the time when colors go from drab to dazzling. The pastel shades of spring blooms are reflected in Easter goodies. What better way to celebrate the season than with a fun family craft project that gets into the spring spirit? These adorable bonnets made with sugar cookies and cupcakes are easy to make.

Even the youngest member of the family can make their very own bonnet with a little help from mom, dad or an older sibling. Turn the whole family into hat designers!

You can create these bonnets with baked goods you make from scratch, or use store-bought ingredients. Either way, they're sure to be a hit not only with your kids, but also with grandparents, neighbors and anyone else lucky enough to have one made especially for them.

The bonnets make great additions to Easter baskets, or use them as a centerpiece on your dinning room table. You can also use this idea throughout the spring for favors at a garden party, a bridal or wedding shower or an afternoon tea party. Let your imagination be your guide.

Just make sure you stock up on the pastel colored M&M'S MINIS and Skittles called for in this project -- they're only available around Easter. Starburst Jellybeans are available year round.

You'll need:

• 1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough or 10 4 1/2-inch cookies
• 10 medium cupcakes (2 1/2-inch), store bought or homemade
• 2 containers (16 ounces each) white frosting
• 1 bag M&M'S MINIS Milk Chocolate Candies for Easter
• Starburst Jellybeans
• Skittles Bite Size Candies for Easter
• Starburst Fruit Chews

Assembly:

1. If making your own cookies, roll sugar cookie dough to 1/4-inch thickness and press out 10 4 1/2-inch cookies. Bake according to directions on the package. Set aside.

2. Remove paper cupcake liner from cupcakes. Slice off rounded top of cupcake.

3. Ice top of cupcake with 1 tablespoon frosting. Turn cupcake upside down and place on the cookie. Set "cookie hats" on wire rack.

4. Divide icing into four bowls. Beginning with a few drops of food coloring, tint icing to desired pastel shade. One at a time, place icing into microwave for 15 seconds to obtain pourable consistency. Remove from microwave and stir to check consistency. If frosting is still too solid, microwave a few seconds longer.

5. Pour frosting over "hats," covering them completely. Set aside for 10 minutes.

6. Decorate using candies.

7. To make hat ribbons, unwrap fruit chews and soften in microwave for 5 seconds. Thinly roll and cut into thin ribbons and wrap around the hats.

Makes 10 bonnets

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For more holiday recipes, decorating and gift ideas and family fun activities, visit www.marsbrightideas.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content
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ARTICLE POSTED APRIL 7, 2003

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