Save I'll never forget the spring afternoon when my daughter came home from school with a drawing of a bunny, and I thought: why not bring it to life on a platter? That first year, I spent hours fussing over the details, but now I realize the magic isn't in perfection—it's in how a simple arrangement of bright pinks and whites can transform a table into something playful and joyful. This Bunny Silhouette became our Easter tradition, and it's one of those dishes that makes people smile before they even taste it.
I remember my partner's face when he first saw the finished bunny—pure delight, like we'd created edible art. Our friends kept asking for the recipe, not because it's complicated, but because it felt special, like we'd given them something thoughtful instead of just another cheese board.
Ingredients
- Black olives: These create the bunny's outline and give you a clear blueprint to follow. I use pitted ones to make placement easier, and they're salty enough to balance all the fresh, mild flavors
- Diced strawberries and watermelon: These are your pink canvas. The strawberries bring sweetness while watermelon adds refreshing juiciness. Cut them into similar-sized pieces so they look intentional
- Pink beet hummus: This is the secret weapon that ties the pink section together with actual flavor. It's earthier than you'd expect and adds substance to what could otherwise feel like just fruit
- Radish slices: They bring a gentle peppery crunch and that beautiful pale pink color that photographs like a dream
- Mini mozzarella balls and cottage cheese: These create the soft, creamy white base. I drain the cottage cheese well so it doesn't weep onto the other ingredients
- Hard-boiled eggs and cauliflower florets: More whites, more texture. The eggs add richness while cauliflower keeps things light and gives you something substantial for vegetarians
- Blueberries, carrot piece, and fresh chives: These finishing touches bring personality. The blueberries become eyes full of character, the carrot is a cheerful nose, and chives mimic delicate whiskers
Instructions
- Set your stage:
- Lay out your parchment or platter on a clean workspace where you can see the whole canvas. This is your blank page, so take a breath and enjoy the anticipation
- Draw with olives:
- Using black olives, sketch a bunny head with two long ears pointing upward. Don't worry about being perfectly symmetrical—slightly wonky ears are actually more charming. Step back and look at it from different angles to make sure it feels right
- Fill the ears with pink:
- This is where you create layers and visual interest. Start with strawberry in one ear, then switch to watermelon, then radish, then beet hummus. Alternate as you go so each ear has all the colors. The variation makes it look like you planned every detail
- Build the face with whites:
- Fill the bunny's face section with your white ingredients. Scatter the mozzarella balls first to create little pockets, dollop cottage cheese in generous amounts, fan out your egg slices, and tuck cauliflower florets wherever there are gaps. Think of it like painting—you're looking for balance and coverage
- Add the personality:
- Press two blueberries in for eyes—they should feel like they're looking at you. Place your carrot slice as a sweet little nose. Arrange chive strips on either side of the face for whiskers. Now step back. Your bunny is alive
- Chill and present:
- Refrigerate until you're ready to serve, which helps everything stay fresh and helps the ingredients set slightly. When you bring it to the table, have crackers or vegetable sticks nearby, but honestly, people will just want to admire it first
Save There was this moment at my cousin's Easter brunch when a three-year-old pointed at the bunny and gasped, 'It's a real bunny made of food!' That's when I understood this dish is about more than ingredients—it's about wonder, about bringing a little magic to the table and reminding everyone that food can be playful.
Flavor and Color Balance
The genius of this dish is that every bite has something different. You might get creamy mozzarella with sweet strawberry, then earthy hummus with peppery radish. The blueberries give you a tart surprise, the cauliflower keeps it light, and the cottage cheese ties everything together with mild richness. What looks like decoration is actually a carefully balanced composition where every ingredient earns its spot. I've learned that the more variety you layer in, the more interesting it becomes to eat, and that's why people come back for another plate.
Making It Your Own
This is where your kitchen becomes your studio. I've made this bunny dozens of times now, and I've swapped in what I had on hand each time. Raspberries instead of strawberries? Stunning. Pink grapefruit segments? Unexpectedly delicious. Once I used pomegranate arils for a jeweled look that felt extra special. The olive outline is the only part that's truly structural—everything inside can be whatever speaks to you that day. Vegan mozzarella works beautifully, cashew cream is dreamy, and if you're avoiding certain ingredients, just find something with similar color and texture.
Serving and Storage
This bunny is best served right when you've chilled it for about thirty minutes, which lets everything settle and stay crisp. It can sit out for about two hours before the vegetables start to wilt, so time your serving accordingly. If you're making this ahead for a party, assemble everything except the blueberry eyes, carrot nose, and chives—add those final touches right before guests arrive so they look fresh and glossy. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container, and they'll keep for about two days, though honestly, there rarely are leftovers.
- Prep your ingredients the night before so assembly on party day takes just minutes
- Keep everything cold until the last moment—chilled ingredients photograph better and taste fresher
- Don't be afraid to make this bunny a little messy and imperfect; that's where the charm lives
Save This Bunny Silhouette is a reminder that the most memorable dishes aren't always the most complicated—they're the ones that make people feel seen, celebrated, and delighted. Every time you make it, you're creating a moment.
Recipe FAQ
- → What ingredients create the pink tones?
Diced strawberries, watermelon, radish slices, and beet hummus combine to produce the vibrant pink hues in the silhouette.
- → How is the outline shaped?
Whole or sliced black olives are used to craft a clear rabbit head outline with long ears on the serving platter.
- → Which white ingredients add texture?
Mini mozzarella balls, drained cottage cheese, sliced hard-boiled eggs, and cauliflower florets compose the creamy white areas.
- → Are there suggested ingredient substitutions?
Strawberries and watermelon can be swapped with raspberries or pink grapefruit, and vegan cheese can replace dairy options for dietary needs.
- → How should the dish be served?
The silhouette is best chilled until serving and pairs well with crackers, vegetable sticks, or crispbread for added crunch.
- → What garnishes enhance the design?
Blueberries serve as eyes, a carrot piece as the nose, and finely chopped fresh chives imitate whiskers for a charming finish.