the weekend, part three: Easter

Dinner:

roasted chicken with lemon and rosemary

broccoli gratin

garlicky mashed potatoes with parmesan

this salad

mom's fruit salad

mom's rolls.

Dessert

Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream and Coconut Nests

Cupcakes:

3/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 c butter
1 c sugar
3 eggs
1/2 c (or a couple good globs:) of mayonnaise. yup. get over it.
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Mix together: 1 cup boiling water and cocoa. Set aside.
Mix flour, soda, and salt together, set aside.
Cream together in large bowl: butter, sugar. Add eggs one at a time and mix well. mix in mayo.
Add vanilla.
Add the cocoa/hot water mixture and beat for 2 minutes.
Add the dry ingredients, and stir just until mixed.

Pour into cupcake liners. Bake at 350° for 13-15 minutes

Frosting:

1 stick (1/2 c) butter

4 cups powdered sugar

4-5 TBS milk

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

seeds of 1/2 a vanilla bean

cream together.

Nests: (adapted from Martha's macaroon recipe)

2 1/2 c sweetened shredded coconut

2 egg whites

1 tsp vanilla extract

pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine coconut, egg whites, vanilla, and salt. Using your hands, mix well, completely combining ingredients.
Dampen hands with cold water. Form small spoonfuls into nest shapes. Place on prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart.
Bake until golden brown, 16 to 17 minutes, rotating halfway through. Let cool on a wire rack.

Frost cupcakes once cooled, and top with nests and cadbury eggs.

enjoy!

Hope you had a Happy Easter!