Easter Cookie Mix Jars... with free printable tags

Every holiday requires a sweet treat, and Easter is no exception. I always enjoy baking Easter cookies with my kids, and I love sharing our sweet treats with friends and family. This Easter cookie mix jar is perfect for stocking a pantry, and it makes an adorable Easter gift too.

Isn't this mason jar filled with Easter cookie mix super cute?

To make this "Easter Cookies Mix" jar:

1) Start with a clean 1L mason jar.

2) Layer the ingredients below (patting down each layer before adding the next one):

First layer: 1 3/4 cups flour, 3/4 tsp baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon salt
Second layer: 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
Third layer: 1/2 white sugar
Fourth layer: 1 cup of candy coated chocolate mini eggs

To make the process easy: use a wide-mouthed funnel to fill the jars, and make a tool to press down the layers. I attached a round piece of cardboard to the end of skewer and covered it all with tin foil.

3) Print off the cookie tag below, cut it to look like a tag, and attach it to the cookie jar with twine or ribbon. 

To download the tag: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a 4x6 photo.

To bake the cookies: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Then, beat 3/4 cup softened butter, 1 large egg, and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla in a large mixing bowl until well blended. Add the jar of cookie mix, and stir with a wooden spoon until fully combined. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 9-12 minutes.

This cookies are soft and chewy... and sooooo delicious!

Isn't this an adorable Easter DIY? It's a fantastic Easter cookie recipe, and it's an easy, inexpensive and adorable homemade gift. If you give it a try, let me know what you think.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find MORE fun Easter ideas here.

15 Plastic Easter Egg Filler Ideas

Everyone loves an Easter egg hunt, and it's even more fun when the colourful plastic eggs are filled with a variety of fun items. Today, I am sharing some of my favourite Easter egg filler ideas. I even have a few simple and unique DIY options.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something using one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you).


1) Finger Puppets - You can likely find inexpensive finger puppets at the dollar store, or you can easily make your own using the simple instructions here.

2) Mini Pull Back Cars - My boys have always loved playing with cars and trucks, and these are adorable. They are inexpensive too. Click here to purchase.

3) Magic Jelly Beans - A little magic makes every holiday better and more fun. You can print this envelope for free here.

4) Play-doh - These little cans of Play-doh would be perfect for those larger plastic eggs, and after all the hunting, they'll keep the kids entertained. Click here to purchase.

5) Squishy Toys - Little squishy toys are really popular right now, and they are soooo cute. You can purchase them here.

6) Dinosaur Toys - Kids are always fascinated with dinosaurs, and these pre-filled eggs are sure to be a hit with little ones. Find the link to purchase here.

7) Stickers - Bright and colourful stickers make perfect Easter Egg fillers. You can find this adorable collection here.

8) Wind up Bunnies and Chicks - Nothing says "Easter" like bunnies and chicks, and these "wind up" versions are adorable. You can buy them here.

9) Pretend Jewelry - Imagine how fun it would be to open eggs filled with this 68 piece collection. You can see all the details and purchase all this pretend jewelry here.

10) Money - Coins are perfect for filling plastic eggs. My kids love collecting money on Easter morning.

11) Bubbles - Tiny containers of bubbles are perfect for filling plastic eggs, and Spring will be here soon! Find the link to purchase here.

12) Cute Crayons - You can recycle old crayons into new, fun shapes that fit into plastic eggs personally. Find the full "how to" here.

13) Toys and Trinkets - If you like variety, this collection of toys and trinkets is for you. Find the link to purchase these pre-filled eggs here.

14) Gift Certificates - I always love gift certificates for food and activities... but these special ones from the Easter Bunny are also fun for popping into a plastic egg. You can download them for free here.

15) Chocolate - Of course chocolate is always a staple on Easter morning, and chocolate eggs make perfect plastic Easter egg filler. There are lots of wonderful options, but I'm in love with the adorable Smartie Easter eggs you can find here.

Do you fill plastic eggs for an Easter egg hunt in your house? What are some of your favourite plastic Easter egg filler ideas? I hope my list has given you a few new ideas and a little Easter egg hunt inspiration!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Click here for MORE easy and inexpensive ideas for Easter fun!

Mini Egg Easter Tart

Everyone loves a simple holiday recipe, and today I am sharing one of my favourites. Your family and friends will love the simplicity of this delicious soft and chewy chocolate chip mini egg Easter tart. It's easy to make, and it's full of chocolatey goodness!

Doesn't this look delicious? It's basically a giant chocolate chip cookie filled with candy covered chocolate eggs. 

To make this easy and impressive cookie tart... start with my favorite soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe (which you can find here). Then, scoop out a dozen cookies, and press the rest of the cookie dough into a well-greased tart pan. Finish by pressing some candy covered chocolate mini eggs into the top of the dough.

I baked my chocolate chip cookie tart for at 325 degrees for 40 minutes... but I would suggest 40-50 minutes (depending on your oven and the thickness of your tart).

This giant cookie was a huge hit with my boys. It makes a fantastic Easter dessert, and it pairs perfectly with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of tea or coffee.

I highly recommend giving this yummy treat a try in your house. You will not be disappointed with mini egg Easter tart.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more easy and inexpensive Easter ideas here.

Easter Bunny Bar... with free printable sign

When it comes to holiday entertaining (or just celebrating at home), simplicity is key. For Easter, a bunny bar is the perfect way to serve family and friends. Today, I am sharing the details of my easy and inexpensive bunny bar, including a free printable sign.

To download the bunny bar sign I designed: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

The sign looks adorable in an inexpensive dollar store frame, don't you think? Display the sign with hot chocolate, bunny tails (marshmallows), and bunny kisses (Hershey kisses).

And an Easter buffet needs some festive cookies. You can find my favourite Easter treats here.

I also love the idea of decorating the table with some homemade Easter decor. How cute are these "no sew" sock bunnies?

Look how cute everything looks when it's displayed on a table with a dollar store tablecloth. I'm pretty sure you could put this whole buffet together for less than $20. Awesome, right?

Are you entertaining family and friends this Easter? I highly recommend setting up this simple bunny bar. 

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more easy and inexpensive Easter ideas here.

Easter Treats for Classmates... Mazes and Bunnies (with free printable tags)

Sharing Easter treats is a fun way to celebrate the holiday. My boys love sharing goodies with their classmates and friends, but we are always concerned with allergies because we never want to make anyone feel excluded. This year, my boys picked out some cute dollar store trinkets, and I designed some super-cute packaging. Today, I am sharing their choices for this year and the free printable tags we are using.

My middle son chose these little Easter "mazes" that we found at the dollar store. We added a couple of nut free chocolate eggs, and we attached a tag that says, "I hope you have an a'MAZE'ing Easter!" Cute, right?

To download the tags I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

I love how cheerful these little treats are, don't you?

My youngest son opted for these little stretchy bunnies. I packed them in clear cellophane bags, and I added a tag that says, "SomeBUNNY thinks you're a good friend. Happy Easter!" 

Isn't this a sweet Easter treat idea?

To download the tags I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Seriously... who wouldn't love sharing these adorable bunnies with their buddies?

Do your have kids like to share Easter treats with their friends? These allergy safe Easter treat options are easy, inexpensive and fun. How will you be spreading joy this holiday season?

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more easy and inexpensive Easter ideas here.

Dollar Store Bunny Bar

Today I am sharing a super-simple Easter idea. I picked up a few supplies from the dollar store, and I put together this easy Easter hot chocolate bar in less than 5 minutes! This idea is perfect for an intimate family Easter, and it's fun if you are hosting a bunch of people too. You could even add some "adult" drinks for the grown ups. A "bunny bar" can be as simple or elaborate as you want.

I purchased this adorable crate from the dollar store (for $4), and I added a simple sign that I designed. I also purchased three dollar store jars (for $1.50 each) to hold my "bar" ingredients.

I filled my jars with hot chocolate, candy coated chocolate mini eggs, and mini marshmallows.

Cute, right?

To download the "bunny bar" sign: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

Of course, you'll need to serve a batch of festive Easter cookies to go with the hot chocolate. I am loving these soft and chewy mini egg cookies, and they would look fantastic next to the bunny bar.

I think a "bunny bar" is the perfect way to serve treats to your Easter guests. It's an easy and inexpensive idea, and it's guaranteed to "up" your hostess game!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more easy and inexpensive Easter Ideas HERE.

Soft and Chewy MINI EGG Cookies

One of my favourite cookie recipes is for my soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies. So, for Easter, I thought it would be fun to add a festive twist to this classic cookie. Today, I am sharing a delicious (and simple) recipe for soft and chewy mini egg cookies. 

For this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup softened butter (room temperature… NOT melted)

½ cup white sugar

1 cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsps real vanilla extract
2 cups mini eggs

Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2) In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.
3) In a large bowl, use electric beaters to combine the butter and sugars. Then, add the eggs and vanilla, and beat until light and fluffy.
4) Use a wooden spoon to mix the wet and dry ingredients together (just until combined).
5) Gently stir in mini eggs.
6) Drop tablespoon-sized balls onto a Silpat or parchment lined cookie sheet.
7) Bake for 8-12 minutes.
8) Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Don't these cookies look fantastic? And they pair perfectly with a nice hot cup coffee or a cold glass of milk.

Are you a fan of mini eggs? I love to use them in my Easter baking. They taste great, and the colours are so pretty!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more easy and inexpensive Easter Ideas HERE.