(Family Features) I love making Easter baskets really special. It’s a fun tradition to put some nontraditional treats and surprises into each basket. I like to look for little gifts that say a lot about the person getting them. Sports stickers for the little athlete, movie tickets for the film buff…what kinds of egg-stras do you like to give?
For younger kids, try sidewalk chalk, bubbles and bubble wands, and coloring books of their favorite characters.
Older kids might enjoy a new journal, cd or gift card.
Who says grown-ups can’t join in the Easter fun? Give your special someone a favorite DVD or a certificate for a fun night out together.
As always, I’ll be including some homemade goodies in all the baskets. These darling Easter Nests are a cinch to make – and taste great, too. And the Very Best Fudge is a delicious addition to any Easter basket! I’m glad it makes a lot, so there’s plenty to go around.
For more delicious Easter basket treat recipes, hop on over to www.VeryBestBaking.com
Very Best Fudge
3 cups granulated sugar
1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups miniature marshmallows
4 cups (24 ounces) or 2 packages (12 ounces each) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
LINE 13 x 9-inch or two 8-inch-square baking pan(s) with foil.
COMBINE sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in 4- to 5-quart, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
STIR in marshmallows, morsels, nuts and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared baking pan(s). Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into pieces. Store tightly covered in refrigerator.
Egg-Ceptional Easter Nests
Makes 30 nests
Wax paper
1 2/3 to 2 cups (11- to 12-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Butterscotch or Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cans (5 ounces each) chow mein noodles
30 to 60 foil-covered chocolate eggs, any flavor
LINE trays with wax paper.
MICROWAVE morsels in large, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. The morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted. Stir in peanut butter until well blended.
ADD chow mein noodles to morsel mixture; toss until coated. Using ice cream scoop that measures about 2 rounded tablespoons, scoop and drop onto prepared trays then immediately shape into nests. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Before serving, place one or two foil-chocolate eggs in each nest. Store prepared nests in covered container for up to 1 day.
