Party Chicken Salad Spread in a Bunny Cake Pan

I found a bunny cake pan at TJ Maxx for the bargain price of $4.00. I had told myself sternly: ‘no more decorative cake pans!’  but I couldn’t resist the price. Instead of a cake, I used the pan as a mold for a chicken salad spread that I used to make and serve for years for a holiday open house. It’s also a great recipe for a baby or bridal shower.

I pulse the chicken in the food processor so the texture has a spreadable consistency. Here's what you'll need:

Party Chicken Salad Spread

• 1 (8 oz.) package Neufchâtel or light cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• Healthy dash (or two) of Tabasco or hot sauce of choice
• 2 – 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped and pulsed lightly in food processor (I use a rotisserie chicken for quick and easy assembly)
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, diced
• 1 stalk of celery, finely diced
• 2 green onion, diced
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Line your pan with plastic wrap then fill your pan and chill a minimum of 4 hours or overnight for the flavors to meld and salad holds it shape.

For best flavor, refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, invert mold on platter, remove plastic wrap and sprinkle the top with sesame seeds. Don’t omit the sesame seeds, they give it a great texture and flavor.

You can also use a quart size bowl lined with plastic wrap in you don’t have a decorative pan.

Since the bunny is holding a basket, I made a little cucumber weave to decorate the basket. Cut your hot house or English cucumber in quarters then carefully use a mandoline to make your slices, then weave them together.

Serve with crackers and veggies of choice. Serves 12 or more depending on other appetizers you're serving.

Looking for more bunny-themed recipes for a shower or Easter?

You might like everybunny’s favorite Roasted Carrot Hummus Dip or No-Bake Easter Bunny Bark.