Bunny Silhouette Festive Dish

I'll never forget the Easter when my niece spotted this pink bunny platter at a garden party and her entire face lit up. She was mesmerized—not just by how cheerful it looked, but because she had helped arrange every ingredient. That's when I realized that the most memorable dishes aren't always the most complicated ones; they're the ones that bring people together and make them smile. The Bunny Silhouette became my go-to whenever I wanted to create something that felt both festive and deeply personal, a celebration on a plate that anyone could help create.

I still remember my friend Sarah's surprise when I told her this entire platter came together in under twenty minutes. She'd been worried about bringing something impressive to her Easter brunch, and when I showed her how to build this bunny with her eight-year-old daughter, she understood immediately—this wasn't about chef skills, it was about creativity and joy. Watching them giggle over placing the blueberry eyes while the morning light streamed through the kitchen window reminded me why I love making food that celebrates the moment we're in.

Ingredients

• Large sheet parchment paper or serving platter: Your canvas for this edible artwork. I learned that using a white or light-colored platter makes the pink and white contrast absolutely sing, but honestly, even a wooden board works beautifully.
• 1 cup black olives (whole or sliced, for outline): These create the bunny's silhouette and frame everything like a drawing. I prefer Kalamata olives for their dramatic, bold look, but use whatever you have—this is about the shape, not perfection.
• 1 cup diced strawberries: Fresh, bright, and they add a natural sweetness. The moment you bite one, you taste spring.
• 1 cup diced watermelon: This was the game-changer for me—it adds a playful sweetness and keeps the filling light. During summer, I sometimes swap in fresh raspberries if strawberries feel too predictable.
• 1 cup pink beet hummus: The secret weapon. This creamy, earthy element ties the pink ingredients together and adds a sophisticated depth that guests always ask about. You can make it fresh or use store-bought—both work beautifully.
• 1/2 cup radish slices: Peppery, crunchy, and they hold their texture for hours. I discovered these add a delightful surprise when people think they're just looking at decoration.
• 1 cup mini mozzarella balls: Creamy little pockets of mild flavor. Fresh is always better, but room-temperature balls arrange more easily than chilled ones.
• 1 cup cottage cheese, drained: This might sound humble, but it creates a wonderful creamy canvas in the bunny's face. The key is draining it well so it doesn't weep liquid onto your platter.
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced: I boil them the morning of, which gives me complete control over that creamy yolk color. Room temperature eggs are easier to slice cleanly than cold ones.
• 1 cup cauliflower florets: Blanched briefly or raw—your choice. I've found that tiny florets work best for layering without toppling over.
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped (for whiskers): This is where the personality comes in. Those delicate green strands transform it from just a shape into a real bunny face.
• 1 small piece of carrot (for the nose): A tiny triangle or slice—this small detail makes children absolutely delighted. I carve it thin so it sits naturally among the other ingredients.
• 2 blueberries (for the eyes): Don't skip these. The moment you place them, the bunny wakes up and comes alive.

Instructions

Create Your Canvas:

Lay your parchment paper or serving platter out on a clean, flat workspace where it can stay undisturbed. I like to set it somewhere with natural light so I can see the colors as I work. Take a quiet moment here—this is your stage.

Draw the Bunny with Black Olives:

This is the fun part where things get artistic. Place olives around the center of your platter to create a bunny head outline—think of it as drawing with food. Make the head a large oval or circle, then create two long ears extending upward. Step back and look at it from different angles. If it doesn't look quite right, it's easy to adjust. I've learned that stepping back and squinting helps you see if the proportions feel right.

Build the Pink Ears:

Now fill those ear sections with the pink ingredients, layering as you go. Start with strawberry pieces, then add watermelon, radish slices, and beet hummus, mixing and arranging to create depth and visual interest. Think of it like painting with color and texture. The beauty is that there's no wrong way—let the vibrant pinks blend naturally. I usually arrange in loose layers, creating pockets of different shades.

Layer the White Face:

This is where you fill the bunny's face with the white and cream-colored ingredients. Begin with mini mozzarella balls, then arrange cottage cheese, hard-boiled egg slices, and cauliflower florets. Fill in all the space within your olive outline, creating a cohesive white canvas. You want it to look abundant and inviting, with varied textures so each bite is interesting.

Add Character with Features:

Place the two blueberries where the eyes should be—roughly where a bunny's eyes would naturally sit. Position your small carrot piece as the nose, centered between the eyes. Now comes the magic: arrange those fresh chive strips below the nose like whiskers. Step back. Your bunny now has personality and character.

Chill and Serve:

Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you're ready to serve. This keeps everything fresh and the flavors mingled. When it's time to present, bring it out proudly—this is a moment of celebration. Serve alongside crackers, vegetable sticks, or simply as is. I've found that the anticipation builds when people see this come out of the kitchen.

Pin it

There was a moment during my cousin's daughter's birthday party when she asked if she could help arrange the whiskers. I handed her the chives, and she concentrated so hard, placing each strand with the precision of an artist. When she finally stepped back and said, 'It's perfect, Aunt,' I understood that this dish is really about creating a memory together, not about perfection on a platter.

Making It Your Own

The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. Once you understand the framework—pink ears, white face, olive outline—you can swap ingredients based on what you love or what's in season. I've made autumn versions with roasted beets and white cheeses, summer versions bursting with raspberries, and winter versions using pomegranate seeds for a deeper pink. Your bunny will be entirely yours, reflecting what's happening in your kitchen and season right now.

Serving and Pairing

Serve this as the centerpiece of a spring celebration—it works beautifully as an appetizer, a side to a brunch, or even as a vegetarian main course option at a larger gathering. The cool, fresh flavors pair wonderfully with light sparkling wines, elderflower lemonade, or simply ice water with fresh mint. I've found that people often take photos before they eat, so give yourself credit for creating something beautiful and Instagram-worthy.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

You can prep your ingredients the night before and store them in separate containers—the olives already placed, the pink ingredients in one bowl, the white ingredients in another. Assembly takes just 15-20 minutes on the day of, which means you can create this masterpiece right before your guests arrive and everything will be at peak freshness. Once assembled, it keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours, though I recommend serving within 2-3 hours for the best texture and visual impact.

• Prep all ingredients the evening before and store separately in airtight containers
• Assemble 30-60 minutes before serving for maximum freshness
• Cover loosely with plastic wrap if refrigerating for more than 30 minutes

Pin it

This Bunny Silhouette is my reminder that the most cherished dishes often come from the simplest ideas and the people we make them for. Every time I create one, I'm transported back to that Easter morning and my niece's delighted face—and that's the real magic of cooking.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I create the bunny outline?

Use whole or sliced black olives to form a clear outline of the bunny head and ears on your serving platter or parchment paper.

→ What ingredients make the pink sections?

The pink areas are layered with diced strawberries, watermelon, radish slices, and beet hummus for vibrant color and flavor.

→ Which ingredients are used for the white sections?

The white sections combine mini mozzarella balls, cottage cheese, sliced hard-boiled eggs, and cauliflower florets for a creamy, textured fill.

→ How can I decorate the bunny’s face features?

Use blueberries for the eyes, a small carrot piece for the nose, and finely chopped chives arranged as whiskers to complete the design.

→ Are there suitable alternatives for dietary preferences?

You can substitute vegan cheese alternatives for dairy-free options and swap strawberries and watermelon with raspberries or pink grapefruit.