Easter Eve

My Eggshell collection, perfect decorations for Easter. Top bowl: Turkey and Goose, Bottom: Quail and Button Quail

A busy spring this week, Earth Day celebrations and Easter on the same weekend! My goal for Easter Eve: Bake desserts and set the table ahead of time so Easter Sunday will be a breeze.
First on the list, deluxe raspberry macarons.

Pink!

 

 

Made larger ones in anticipation of Raspberries

 

Hisako Ogita Macaron recipe, perfect every time!

Shells done, they get filled tomorrow!

Next up, Black Forest cake!. I have been "saving" a couple of Jar's of Trader Joes Morello cherries. I figured it was time for them to be savored. Black forest cake is simple but so complex tasting when it is all done.

Cake layers are made of cocoa, eggs, sugar and a pinch of salt.

 

9 eggs are separated, yolks are beaten with 1 cup of sugar and a pinch of salt

Yolks are ready when they become thick and pale

Sift in cocoa...

...then fold and fold

egg whites are beaten to a stiff meringue, then fold and fold again with the yolk mixture

25 mins in the oven , a perfect flourless chocolate sponge cake

The cakes need to cool properly before proceeding, let's head out to the garden to see what's new...

First few waterlilies of this year

 

Climbing hydrangea, a good year for it

Single layer petaled Peonies

English Dogwood

Front porch tub, plants are growing nicely

Socrates loves the fresh air

When the cakes cool completely, they are ready to frost with freshly whipped and lightly sweetened heavy cream and filled with Dark Morello Cherries.

My technique for avoiding being sprayed with heavy cream

 

each layer is drizzled with cherry syrup and frosted with the cream

melt some dark chocolate

chocolate grass for Easter

  

I collected some lichens and linens, got inspired to combine it with eggshells I've been saving after breakfasts to make a wreath for the front door.

 

 

 

I was totally exhausted after making the wreath. Setting the table would have to wait till tomorrow.