19. Bunnies on the Lawn, On the Green

A few recipes ago..it was mentioned that I had, at one time in my life, extreme kid-watching boredom at the public pool. In order to keep my sanity, I had checked out cookbooks from the library and taken them with me to the pool. I could search for new recipes and keep track of my waterlogged children at the same time.

From all those books, I found only one recipe that has passed the test of time. It is in our family recipe archives and to this day, holds a special place as part of our Easter dinner celebration.

Bunnies on the Lawn is an inexpensive recipe that children can help to prepare and it is cute enough to be an instant crowd-pleaser at a spring potluck. We have served it on the side as a salad, but it also could be a dessert. I wish I written down the name of the person who had designed this creation...I would love to give credit where it is due...Happy Spring!

Bunnies on the Lawn

6 oz. lime gelatin (2 pkgs)
2 C boiling water
1 ¾ C cold water
Drained pear halves
Sliced almonds
Raisins or chocolate chips
Whipped topping


Dissolve Jello in boiling water. Add cold water and pour into a 9x13 pan. Chill until slightly thickened.

 Place drained pear halves, rounded side up, randomly on the green ‘lawn’.Refrigerate until Jello is firm.

Dab or pipe whipped topping to make fluffy tails on the larger ends of the pear halves.

Use two almond slices for each set of ears; push pointed end of the almond gently into pear about an inch from the small end of the fruit.

For the eyes, place raisin bits in the head space between the ears and the pointed end. Cover pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.


*Note: The pears used in the picture( above) were a Geisha brand; they had a cut out in the pointed (nose) end. I filled in the space with a few extra pear pieces...I have never seen canned pears processed like this before.