Colored Coconut Easter Grass Recipes

CHOCOLATE EASTER BOWLS

Steps:

• Cut out eight 8-inch circles of parchment paper. Line a baking sheet with the circles. Blow up 8 small balloons.
• Bring a few inches of water to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Place the chocolate in a heat-safe bowl over the simmering water and stir until the chocolate is melted. Remove the bowl from the heat and let the chocolate cool slightly. Dip a balloon into the chocolate so it covers the bottom and reaches 1 1/2 to 2 inches up the sides. Immediately place the balloon chocolate-side down onto one of the parchment circles. Repeat with the remaining balloons and chocolate. Let cool completely to set up, at least 1 hour. Pop the balloons with a pin and gently peel away any balloon pieces that adhere to the chocolate.
• Fill the chocolate bowls with the Coconut Easter Grass and decorate with Easter egg candies.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a mesh rack on top, if available.
• Put the coconut in a shallow bowl. While tossing with a large spoon, add the green and yellow food coloring drop by drop until the desired color is reached. A little more green than yellow makes a pretty grass color. Add a few tablespoons water to moisten the mixture and help disperse the color evenly. If the color is too dark, add additional water, as needed, to dilute to the desired color. Drain the coconut in a sieve or strainer.
• Spread the coconut in an even layer on the rack, or directly on the lined baking sheet. Place in the oven until dry, 10 to 15 minutes. The coconut grass can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Note: Food coloring can be messy and stain your skin. To prevent this, wear latex gloves. You can also tint the coconut in a large resealable plastic bag, shaking it to color the coconut evenly.

COLORED COCONUT EASTER GRASS

Steps:

• Place coconut in resealable food-storage plastic bag. Add about 8 drops liquid food color; seal bag and shake to mix. It may be necessary to add 1 to 2 teaspoons water to help disperse the color evenly or additional food color until desired color is reached.

COCONUT EASTER GRASS FOR CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a mesh rack on top, if available.
• Put coconut in a shallow bowl. While tossing with a large spoon, add food coloring drop by drop until the desired color is reached. A little more green than yellow makes a pretty grass color. Add a few tablespoons water to moisten the mixture and help disperse the color evenly. If the color is too dark, add additional water, as needed, to dilute to the desired color. Drain the coconut in a sieve or strainer.
• Spread the coconut in an even layer on the rack, or directly on the lined baking sheet. Place in the oven until dry, about 10 to 15 minutes. Use immediately, or store in covered container for up to 3 days.

COCONUT EASTER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.
• Stir cake mix, 1 cup water, vegetable oil, eggs, and 1 teaspoon coconut extract together in a bowl until moistened; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.
• Pour batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
• Bake in preheated oven until the cakes are lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
• Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes; remove cakes from pans to finish cooling on racks, at least 30 minutes.
• Beat butter with an electric mixer on low in a large bowl until creamy and smooth. Beat in 2 1/2 teaspoons coconut extract.
• Beat 1 cup confectioners' sugar into butter mixture until thoroughly combined; beat in 1 tablespoon heavy cream. Continue to beat in confectioners' sugar, 1 cup at a time, alternating with 1 tablespoon cream, until the confectioners' sugar and cream have been incorporated and the frosting is smooth and creamy.
• With a long serrated knife, level the tops of the 3 cakes. Place 1 cake onto a serving platter; frost the top of the cake with about 1/4 of the frosting. Sprinkle with about 1/3 cup flaked coconut.
• Place second cake layer on top of the first, and frost and sprinkle with coconut as before. Place third layer on top of the second; frost top and sides with remaining frosting. Lightly press 1/3 cup of coconut evenly into sides of cake.
• Place 1 cup of remaining coconut into a resealable plastic bag, add 1/2 teaspoon water and the green food coloring, and seal bag. Shake and press bag to mix food coloring with coconut, tinting it light green. Remove to paper towel to dry.
• Spread the green coconut over the top of the cake; place colored jelly beans in the middle and press lightly to secure.

EDIBLE EASTER GRASS

Steps:

• Mix water and food coloring. Add to coconut in resealable plastic bag; seal bag. Shake until coconut is evenly tinted.