CHOCOLATE EASTER BUNNY RECIPES

Steps:

• Chunk chocolates and put together in a small microwaveable bowl; heat on high power in thirty second increments until chocolate is melted and smooth when stirred together, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and cream cheese; cream in the sugar, vanilla and milk until all is smooth and well incorporated.
• Stir the melted chocolate into the cheese mixture until well blended.
• Fold in the thawed whipped topping until thoroughly mixed, being careful not to beat out the fluffiness of the topping.
• Scoop the filling into the prepared crust, mounding and smoothing to fit it all inches.
• Stand the ears in the center, at a little angle if desired; sprinkle some of the M & M's around to give it some color.
• Chill the pie at least one hour before serving and refrigerate any leftovers.
• Can be made ahead and frozen up to a couple of months.
• *The better the chocolate, the better the result! Use bittersweet or unsweetened here, anything else is too sweet.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Generously spray 12-cup fluted tube cake pan with baking spray with flour. Sprinkle with cocoa to coat pans; tap to remove excess cocoa.
• In a large bowl, beat cake mix, eggs, butter and water with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in chocolate.
• Spoon batter into pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Place cooling rack or heatproof serving plate upside down over pan; turn rack and pan over. Remove pan. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
• In medium bowl, beat powdered sugar, corn syrup, cream, and peppermint extract on low speed until blended. Beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add just enough milk to the icing to make it thin enough to stick to a spoon, dripping off of the spoon slowly when tipped down toward bowl.
• Spread icing onto cooled cake. Place a bunch of mint sprigs in the center of cake. Add a chocolate bunny in center of the mint sprigs. Press malted eggs around the top and sides of the cake. Press a second chocolate bunny onto the side of the cake. Garnish with additional mint sprigs, as desired.