This post is sponsored by ConAgra.
It’s almost Easter! Are you ready to celebrate? I’m so glad you loved our spring pie topping ideas so much. Here are four more ways to update your pies and update the Easter dessert table to make a beautifully sweet statement.
Dying coconut is the easiest way to make edible grass for topping pies this time of year. To make the combo, pour about 2 cups coconut flakes into a gallon size plastic bag, add in 4-5 drops of green food coloring and shake until well blended. There will be some color varriation in the “grass” which makes it look all the more real!
For this spring pie display, we started with a Marie Callender’s Banana Cream Pie. Sprinkle the pie with the dyed coconut, add on candy bunnies, paper cut carrots and other simple spring elements. The pie topping is so cute it will easily steal the stage from the egg hunt come Sunday.
Serve any piece of pie (especially a Marie Callender’s Coconut Cream Pie) in style with these painted plates that are safe to eat on! We’ve painted plates before that were purely for decoration. These plates were made with edible milk paint – just to be sure they are safe for setting on the table.
To make the painted dessert plates, print out the spring plate decals (click here for the free download). Print them onto full-page-width label paper, this makes the entire process of sticking and removing a cinch. Cut around the templates and stick them in the center backside of each glass plate.
Mix the edible milk paint by combining 1/2 cup condensed milk with a couple drops of pastel food coloring (liquid not gel). Mix well and put in a compression sprayer for spraying the plates, or use a brush and paint by hand. You’ll be painting the backside of each plate, paint right over the decal. I love using milk paint because it is more opaque than regular paint and will give the plates a pretty spring hue.
Allow the plates to dry fully and remove the decals. You’ll be left with a pretty painted plate that has a clear bunny, egg, or chick peeking through.
The best news is – the paint will wash off with soap and water and your plates can be reused for another celebration!
If you happen to be going to Easter brunch instead of hosting it, bring your pie in style by making a pie box! The box is also a fun hostess gift. Bring the pie and leave the box – you will definitely be invited back. This pie box is made with a cardboard hat box, the best way I know to transport a pie.
To make the pie box you will need, 1 cardboard hat box, a sheet of alphabet decals, spray paint, scissors, and a bungie rope.
Start by painting the box in the color of choice, add on the decals. We initially thought about removing the decals, but the black print on our spring hued box was too great to lose. The boxes can be made either way. To get color on the letters, paint the box one color, then place the decals and paint again in your final cover. Remove them to showcase the letters below.
Make the box carryable by poking two holes at the top of the box and two holes widly spread apart at the bottom. Wrap the bungie cord into a lose knot for carrying and thread through the top holes. Once you are ready to go, gently place the pie in your box and thread the bungie coards around the pie and through the bottom holes. Knot on the bottom of the box for a stylish way to carry a pie.
Did you know the amazing taste of Marie Callender’s pies come in miniature form!?! I love serving dessert in individual portions and these Marie Callender’s Mini Key Lime Cream Pies are fabulous for serving Easter dessert with extreme ease. Just set them out and watch as they rapidly dissapear!
To make the individual pies feel special head to the nearest old fashion candy shop and stock up on fun looking sweets. Lillipops, peeps, and colorful candy strips can make these pies stand out. Simply take the pies out of the boxes (thaw per package instructions) and place a sweet piece of candy on top. Marie Callender’s really does know how to make it easy on us busy hostesses, and the pies taste so good! No one will even notice you weren’t baking all day. Except for your kitchen… it will be so clean guests will wonder just exactly how you do it all.
You don’t need the juggling skills of a big-top performer in order to host a successful spring gathering. Careful planning, time management and an eye for adding quick and easy ‘homemade’ touches will make your gathering one for the memory books, while still having plenty of time to enjoy the company of your guests. This season, let Marie Callender’s arm you with everything from decorating tips for the home, to pie-serving tricks from the kitchen. We’ll show you our secrets to getting the homemade goodness your guests crave while spending less time in the kitchen and more time with family. To discover more secrets worth savoring, check out Marie Callender’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MarieCallendersMeals?ref=br_tf
Compensation was provided by ConAgra. The ideas are my own and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of ConAgra. Thanks so much for supporting our spring party sponsors!
(Photography © A Subtle Revelry by Erin Holland).
