Easter Hostess Gifts – Carrot Cake Mix Carrots

Easter hostess gifts are something I like to give, and these adorable carrot cake mix carrots are quick and easy to put together in a pinch.
We celebrate with friends since we live so far from our family. Being a hostess is a ton of work, and letting them know you appreciate the effort that goes into the gathering is always appreciated.  These carrots are so easy to make that my son and I decided to make them for his teachers, too!  He is working on fractions in math, so this was a great exercise for him too.

Materials for Easter hostess gifts:

• Cone shaped treat bags
• Tissue Paper
• Paper Tape
• Scissors
• Cake mix ingredients (provided below)

Directions:

Mix the cake recipe together according to the directions.  Divide the recipe in half and place into bags.

Recipe for Carrot Cake Mix
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 T. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup raisins (I omitted due to guest allergy – I placed them in large Easter eggs)
1/2 cup chopped pecans (I omitted due to guest allergy – I placed them in large Easter eggs)

Place the flour, baking powder and baking soda, sugar, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg together in a bowl. Divide mixture in half and pour into the cone bags.  We used clear tape to close them.

Attach a card to the jar with the following directions  (This is for one carrot)

To make the carrot cake…
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour a 8″ x 8″ cake pan. Place the cake mix in large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center & add 3/4 cups vegetable oil, 2 eggs, and 1.5 cups grated carrots. Mix until ingredients are well blended. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake at 350° for about 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack. When cool, frost with a cream cheese frosting or dust with confectioner’s sugar.

To make the leafy topper on the carrot bags:

Fold a sheet of green tissue paper in half then fold in 1.5 inch segments.  

Cut out a leaf shape from the tissue paper.  Notch the edges.

Once the leaves are cut.  Open the strip of leaves and wrap around the top of the cone.  

Use polka dotted paper tape to secure the tissue paper.

NikiMeiners

Niki is known for her distinctive, high quality creations that feature a diverse mix of styles and highly creative approach to even the smallest detail. Her creations are simultaneously beautiful and functional.

Visit her site at www.365daysofcrafts.com or her blog, Niki Meiners – Live a Life Handmade at www.nikimeiners.wordpress.com