Save I'll never forget the Easter Sunday when my niece pressed her nose against the kitchen window, watching me arrange colorful vegetables on a platter. She was expecting the usual deviled eggs and carrot sticks, but I had something more magical in mind. When I unveiled this playful bunny face made entirely from fresh, vibrant ingredients, her eyes lit up in pure delight. That moment taught me that food isn't just about taste—it's about creating memories and bringing joy to the table, especially when it's shaped like something whimsical enough to make a child smile.
There's something about serving this bunny platter that transforms an ordinary family gathering into something special. I remember my sister asking, "Did you really make this?" with such genuine surprise that I felt like a culinary artist instead of someone who simply arranged vegetables. The best part came when everyone at the table started deconstructing it together, each person choosing their own path through the pink ears and white face, turning lunch into an interactive experience that nobody wanted to end.
Ingredients
- Black olives: These create the defining outline that makes your bunny unmistakably a bunny. Use whole ones if you can—they're easier to position and look more intentional than slices.
- Diced strawberries: The jewels of the pink section. I learned to pat them dry before arranging so they don't weep juice everywhere and turn your white section pink.
- Diced watermelon: Adds refreshing sweetness and keeps the platter cool. Cut into small, uniform pieces so they sit nicely without rolling.
- Pink beet hummus: This is your secret weapon for that gorgeous rosy color without needing artificial anything. It also adds earthiness that balances the sweetness of the fruit.
- Radish slices: These give you texture and subtle peppery flavor. They're surprisingly forgiving to work with and add visual interest with their white edges.
- Mini mozzarella balls: The foundation of your white section. They're bite-sized perfection and stay fresh throughout the party.
- Cottage cheese: A creamy, filling component that helps anchor everything together. Make sure it's well-drained or your platter gets soggy.
- Hard-boiled eggs: Sliced thin, they create a canvas-like effect. Boil them the day before if you can—they're easier to slice when they're completely cool.
- Cauliflower florets: Small, delicate ones work best. They add that garden-fresh vibe and people are always surprised when they taste something so simple.
- Fresh chives: Chopped fine, these become whiskers that make the whole face come alive. Don't skip this step—it's what turns arrangement into character.
- Carrot piece: A small, oblong slice placed where the nose should be. It's the detail that makes people actually recognize it as a bunny.
- Blueberries: Two perfectly placed blueberries become expressive eyes that make your bunny feel like it's looking right back at you.
Instructions
- Start with your canvas:
- Lay down your parchment paper or serving platter on a clean, flat workspace. This is your stage, so make sure it's something you won't need to move around once you've started decorating. I like to use a large wooden board because it photographs beautifully and feels special.
- Outline the bunny's face and ears:
- Using your black olives, trace out a clear bunny head at the center of your platter. Start with a large circle for the face, then create two long, upright ovals for the ears. Take your time here—this is the skeleton of your artwork. Step back and look at it from above. Does it look like a bunny to you? Adjust until it does.
- Fill those adorable ears with pink:
- This is where the magic happens. Within each ear outline, create alternating bands of strawberries, watermelon, radish slices, and beet hummus. You're not aiming for perfection—you're aiming for a gradient of pinks and reds that catches the light. Think of it like painting, where you're building depth and interest with each layer.
- Create the sweet white face:
- Inside the face outline, arrange your mini mozzarella balls, cottage cheese dollops, sliced hard-boiled eggs, and cauliflower florets. Mix them generously so no one ingredient dominates. This is where you get to play—there's no wrong way to arrange these. Some people make it random and organic; others prefer neat sections. Both look gorgeous.
- Add the personality:
- Place your two blueberries where the eyes should be, about where they'd naturally sit on a rabbit face. Position your carrot slice just below for the nose. Now sprinkle those finely chopped chives around the face to create whiskers. These small details are what transform this from a nice platter to a character that makes people smile.
- Chill and serve:
- Refrigerate until you're ready to bring it out. This keeps everything fresh and gives the flavors a chance to settle. When serving, offer crackers or vegetable sticks on the side so people have options for how they want to eat it.
Save What really struck me about making this bunny was watching my grandmother, who usually sits quietly at family gatherings, get up and take photos from every angle. She kept saying, "It's too pretty to eat!" But then, of course, she was the first one reaching for the strawberries. That's when I realized this recipe does something that food rarely does—it creates a moment where everyone pauses and appreciates the beauty before diving in.
The Art of Color Blocking
The real secret to making this platter stunning is understanding how colors interact. The bright pinks and reds of the strawberries, watermelon, and radishes need to be balanced with the clean whites of the mozzarella and cauliflower. Don't overthink it—just make sure you're scattering colors throughout rather than grouping all the pinks on one side. When you step back and look at your finished bunny, you should see a harmonious blend where the eye travels around the whole face. The black olives frame everything beautifully and make the colors pop even more.
Making It Your Own
This is the kind of recipe that begs for your personal touch. Maybe you don't have pink beet hummus, so you use regular hummus with a drizzle of beet juice. Maybe you swap the strawberries for raspberries because that's what's in season where you live. I had a friend who added thinly sliced prosciutto to the ears for an appetizer version, and it was absolutely elegant. The framework stays the same—pink ears, white face, black outline—but what you fill it with can be totally yours.
Serving and Pairing Perfection
This bunny is meant to be the star of a spring spread. It works beautifully alongside crusty bread, gluten-free crackers, or just vegetable sticks for dipping. I like to pair it with something refreshing to drink—a light sparkling rosé feels right, or elderflower lemonade if you're going alcohol-free. The key is keeping everything fresh and light, matching the playful spirit of the platter itself.
- Serve it within two hours of assembling for the best texture and appearance.
- Keep it refrigerated until the moment you bring it out, then let it sit for just five minutes to take the chill off.
- Have small plates and napkins nearby—people tend to pick rather than plate up, and that's part of the fun.
Save This bunny silhouette taught me that sometimes the most memorable dishes aren't the complicated ones—they're the ones made with intention and a little playfulness. There's joy in creating something beautiful with your hands, and even more joy in sharing it with people you care about.
Questions & Answers
- → How do I create the bunny outline?
Use whole or sliced black olives to carefully form the shape of the bunny's head and ears on your serving surface.
- → Can I substitute any of the pink ingredients?
Yes, you can replace strawberries and watermelon with raspberries or pink grapefruit for similar vibrancy.
- → Is this platter suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, it includes vegetarian-friendly ingredients like mozzarella, cottage cheese, and fresh produce.
- → What can I serve alongside this platter?
Consider crispbread, gluten-free crackers, or vegetable sticks to complement the platter’s flavors and textures.
- → How should I prepare the platter before serving?
Arrange the ingredients on parchment or a serving platter according to the bunny design, chill until ready, and garnish with chives, carrot, and blueberries for detail.
- → Are there dairy-free alternatives for this dish?
Yes, you can use vegan cheese alternatives to replace dairy components, maintaining the platter’s appeal.