Using Jellybeans to Create Desserts

With Easter just around the corner, you don’t need the holiday to use jellybeans as an ingredient or decoration for your sweet treat creations. Keep in mind that kids aren’t the only ones that get a kick out of these colorfully sweet confections. From experimenting with the exotic flavors of Jelly Bellys to focusing on one flavor (like hot cinnamon) – there are plenty of ways to add a little pizzazz to your desserts, including the ones listed below:

Jellybean Rice Krispy Treats

These iconic chewy cereal bars usually contain Rice Krispies, but any crispy rice cereal will do. In a large microwave bowl, combine three tablespoons of butter and one 1-ounce package of marshmallows. Cook on high power for 3 minutes – stirring halfway during cooking time. Stir the mixture until smooth, and then add 5 cups of crispy rice cereal and 1-½ cups of assorted jellybeans. Stir until coated. Press the mixture into a buttered 13×9 pan. Cut into squares.

Biscotti with Jellybeans

Using jellybeans in a biscotti recipe isn’t something you see all the time, but some people will add the chewy sweets to their usual ingredient list. When your biscotti dough is very soft and sticky, add in a 13-ounce bag of assorted jellybeans.

Jellybean Cake

While some people choose to top their frosting with jellybeans to make a decorative exterior for their favorite cake recipes, others will insert jellybeans into the batter of their cake, which adds a chewy, sweet surprise in each slice. Browse the Internet for recipes, which include Jellybean Confetti Cake and Easter Angel Cake.

Sugary Nests for Jellybeans

Want to spice up the presentation of Easter jellybeans? Combine the crunchiness of Chinese noodles with melted marshmallows to create an attractive nest for your sweets. All you need is 2 cups of miniature marshmallows, ¼ cup of butter, and 4 cups of chow mein noodles. Melt the butter and marshmallows together in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture until everything has melted. Add in the chow mein noodles and stir well to coat with the buttery marshmallows. Grease your fingers and press the mixture into the bottom and sides of a prepared 12-cup muffin tin. Refrigerate until firm.

Jellybeans for Decoration

Using jellybeans as a decoration is a popular Easter dessert technique for cupcakes. Use the shape of the jellybeans to create the ears and nose of a sweet rabbit face, while using licorice for the whiskers. For a Halloween treat, black jellybeans come in handy for creating the body for ghoulish spiders on top of cakes and cupcakes.