Bunnies in Blankets

Bunnies are adorable, they are soft, their ears are far too big for their little heads, and they hop! Let’s face it, they are cute; that is as long as we are talking about a small furry animal and not the random guy hopping up and down behind me on the street. He’s not cute, he’s just creepy.

I tend to make the appetizers for Easter dinner and leave the heavy lifting for my father in-law. It’s hard to help him as I barley have a free hand (no, I cannot put the Sauvignon Blanc down. And what about my other hand?  Well, it’s usually helping me taste test the cheese, a very important job).

Easter to me means carrot cake, Cadbury Creme Eggs and pillowy soft just out of the oven crescent rolls.  Therefore, I took this inspiration and created Bunnies in Blankets. They take only a minute to make, are very elegant, and they are just plain yummy at the same time.  

The carrots take on a deep and smoky, almost meaty flavor by simply letting them caramelize in the pan with butter, smoked paprika and maple syrup.

Wrap this meaty carrot in a flaky crescent roll and somehow you have not only improved on pigs in a blanket, but made it meatless at the same time.  

For such a feat I think you deserve a medal! And no, you can’t have mine; it matches my Easter dress :)

Bunnies in Blankets

Makes 24

24 Baby carrots

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 tablespoon maple syrup

¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

8 ounce can crescent roll dough

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. If wet dry off carrots with paper towels. Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the carrots, cook until brown all over and tender, 10 - 12 minutes. While carrots cook mix together the syrup, paprika, and salt in small bowl. When carrots are done add syrup mixture to the pan and cook for 2 - 3 minutes more. Remove skillet from heat and set aside.
3. Roll out crescent dough; separate into 8 triangles. Cut each triangle into 3 smaller triangles so that now there are 24 small triangles.
4. Place 1 carrot on the wider side of each triangle; roll the carrot towards the point of the dough and place on parchment paper or a silicone mat on a baking sheet.
5. Place the baking sheet in oven and bake until golden brown, 10-15minutes. Remove immediately from pan and serve hot!

Keep it Simple:

• The maple syrup sometimes pools under the bunnies in blankets while they cook causing them to stick. This is why I recommend a silicone mat or parchment paper. Also removing them immediately off the pan will help them to not stick.
• Piece of a large carrot work just as well as using the baby carrots.

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Comments

[Amy Walton @ So There. by Amy]

I love this idea!! Looks amazing! Thanks :)
You've got me hooked on roasted/charred carrots!

[Amy Belowch]

I made this recipe the other day and it was out of this world delicious!!!! My 6 year old son, who doesn't eat a lot of meat, loved this dish. My husband and 9 year old son, who both love pigs in a blanket, loved this as well! Thank you Nikki...we love you!!!!

[miranda lang]

My two year old doesn't eat meat at all. So after watching you on the next food network star i figured I should look for some of your recipes. I now have some great ideas to get my picky eater to try some new things! Making these tonight!