Photo 70/365 Bunny Bread

Someone on LM posted how to make bunny bread out of frozen bread dough and I tried it for Easter. It was a hit! It took a little longer to put together than I thought, the eyes kept rolling off (I made them out of the dough since we didn't have any raisins), and he was slightly overbaked since my oven wouldn't keep an even temp, but even with all that, he was a hit. I didn't hollow out his tummy as instructed or place him on a bed of lettuce, but I did bring spinach dip in separate container and we cut up the bunny to go with the bread. It was a bit morbid to hear people ask, "Do you want an ear? a leg? a cheek?" But the kids got a kick out of it.

Ingredients
2 loaves (1 # each) frozen bread dough, thawed
2 raisins
2 sliced almonds
1 egg, lightly beaten
Lettuce Leaves
Dip of your choice (usually some type of spinach dip)

Directions
Cut a fourth off of one loaf of dough; shape into a pear to form head. For body, flatten remaining portion into a 7 inch x 6 inch oval; place on a greased baking sheet. Place head above body. Make narrow cuts, about 3/4 inch deep, on each side of head for whiskers.

Cut second loaf into four equal portions. For ears, shape two protions into 16 inch ropes; fold ropes in half. Arrange ears with open ends touching head. Cut a third portion of dough in half; shape each into a 3 1/2 inch oval for back paws. Cut two 1 inch slits on top edge for toes. Position on each side of body.

Divide the fourth portion of dough into three pieces. Shape two pieces into 2 1/2 inch balls for front paws; shape the remaining piece into two 1 inch balls for cheeks and one 1/2 inch ball for nose. Place paws on each side of body; cut two 1 inch slits for toes. Place cheeks and nose on face. Add raisins for eyes and almonds for teeth.

Brush dough with egg. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30-45 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

Place bread on a lettuce-lined 16 inch x 13 inch serving tray. Cut a 5 inch x 4 inch oval in center of body. Hollow out bread, leaving a 1/2 inch shell (discard removed bread or save for another use or eat). Line with lettuce and fill with dip.