Bunny Cakes - a Family Tradition!

In our household, we celebrate each holiday with many of the same familiar treats associated with each festive gathering. We have an unspoken rule that you may add a new recipe or something different, but you may not take away a family favorite. At Easter, you will find bunny cakes to be one of the expected after dinner treats. Originally, we used to make a total of four bunnies for the family. Over the years, it has decreased to only two furry rabbits, some with coconut fur and others without. Herewith are a few bunny cakes from years past.

Happy St. Patrick's Day Afternoon Tea

St. Patrick's Day was celebrated in the tea room yesterday with shamrocks galore, a touch of Guinness in several of the recipes, and a wearin' of the green.

Once the Irish Breakfast tea was poured, the first course was served which included a Lemon and Blueberry Salad with Kerrygold Vintage Dubliner Cheddar Cheese accompanied with a scotch egg. The scotch egg recipe was from Judy Larkin of the Larkin Tea Company and can be found on her website. Although traditional scotch eggs are deep fried, we opted for the oven baked variety which is just as delicious!

The sandwiches included Top 'o the Morning Basil Pesto Chicken Salad on a Guinness Cheddar Biscuit, Happy St. Paddy's Day Corned Beef Spiral, Lad & Lassies Pistachio & Asparagus Rollup Three Leaf Clover with Cream & Mint Jelly, Good Luck! Good Cheer! Miniature Toasted Reuben, and Lucky Charm Relish This Tartlet using a zippy zucchini relish available at the Rosemary House. 

Warm from the oven scones featured a Luck o' The Irish Cream Scone made using Kerrygold Irish Butter, and a Wearin' of the Green Irish Soda Bread Scone accompanied by Grannies Sweet Cream and Apricot Preserves, Fresh Orange Slices and Kiwi.

A dessert trio included Leprechaun's Lucky Treacle Oatmeal Cookie (a Tea Time Magazine Recipe), Blarney Stone Caramel Cashew Shortbread, and an Old Irish Pub Chocolate Guinness Cake (a Taste of Home Recipe, made as miniature cupcakes instead of a 9" springform cake).  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May you always have

walls for the winds, 

a roof for the rain, 

tea beside the fire, 

laughter to cheer you, 

those you love near you, 

and all your heart might desire.