Step-by-Step: Jelly-Jeweled Place Setting

With Easter peeking around the corner, most people break out the tie-dye and color 10 eggs to show their festivity. Yes, this is fun but creative? Not so much. This year, take a stroll down Uniquely Creative Lane with a few clever ideas from my bag of tricks. Create a WOW centerpiece using Peeps and jelly beans or decorate a festive place setting that will amaze even your most festive friends… just do something that is outside of the box this year to surprise your guests. And hey, maybe you’ll even surprise yourself!

Tools:
colorful bowl
colorful dinner plate
colorful charger plate
multi-colored jelly beans
icing in piping pack (Ziploc or similar bag will work great!)

For icing:
2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
3 cups (330 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the egg whites with the lemon juice. Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined and smooth. The icing needs to be used immediately or transferred to an airtight container as royal icing hardens when exposed to air. Cover with plastic wrap when not in use.

Step 1: Begin by mixing your icing and pouring into the corner of a plastic bag (Ziploc, etc.). Tear the corner of your bag to pipe the icing.

Step 2: Begin piping the icing in small pea-sized dots that are about 1/2” apart.

Step 3: This icing hardens very quickly, so make sure you place your jelly beans on in a timely manner.

Step 4: After the plate has been decorated with the jelly beans, begin piping smaller dots in the spaces left between your colorful beans.

Step 5: Continue piping the icing all the way around the plate.

Step 6: Once complete, add a colorful napkin and silverware. Begin your place setting by putting you dinner plate on top of your charger plate.

Step 7: Place your colorful bowl on top of your dinner plate.

Step 8: Have your guests enjoy eating from a festive and friendly place setting for Easter!