Playing Easter bunny this year? Let me share some of my tips for making Easter special, festive and fun:

• Short on time? Look for Easter shapes of fresh refrigerated cookie dough in the dairy section; bake as directed—my favorite is the pink bunnies!—and arrange in an easy centerpiece for your Easter table. Or nestle a few cookies in Easter baskets along with a variety of fudge.
• Homemade treats are especially welcome in Easter baskets; try this sure-to-please fudge, in several flavor variations. It’s super-easy to make and I promise it will disappear.
• Bring the outdoors in with a few pots of early-blooming bulbs like narcissus, crocus and hyacinth.
• Place fuzzy pussywillow boughs in vase or container without water if you don’t want them to bloom.
• Kids love to color and decorate hard-cooked eggs. If weather allows and the grass is green, host an Easter egg hunt in the yard.

For more springtime-fresh, easy Easter decorating and baking ideas, visit www.VeryBestBaking.com.

Toll House Easter Basket Fudge

(Makes 24 servings – 2 pieces per serving)

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup (5 fluid-ounce can) NESTLÉ CARNATION Evaporated Milk
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 1/2 cups (9 ounces) NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Decorator icing (optional)
• Jelly beans (optional)

LINE 8-inch-square baking pan with foil.

COMBINE sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in medium, 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 pan; refrigerate until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 48 squares. Top squares with icing and jelly beans.

FOR MILK CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Substitute 1 3/4 cups (11.5-ounce package) NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Milk Chocolate Morsels for Semi-Sweet Morsels.

FOR BUTTERSCOTCH FUDGE: Substitute 1 2/3 cups (11-ounce package) NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Butterscotch Morsels for Semi-Sweet Morsels.

Nutrition Information per serving: 140 calories; 40 calories from fat; 4.5 g total fat; 2.5 g saturated fat; 5 mg cholesterol; 40 mg sodium; 23 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 21 g sugars; 1 g protein

Jenny Harper is Senior Culinary Specialist for the Nestlé Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com.

Courtesy of Family Features