I know Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and we all need treats for our co-workers, friends, neighbors, and classroom treats. Here is my go to staple, for mass producing treats without turning on the oven. I will list the things I personally use, recommend and some alternatives to those items. Read on and enjoy!
~~List of Ingredients and Suggested Tools ~~
1. Chocolate Wafers to melt. I personally prefer Alpine by Clasen but you can use Wilton too. Try to get a Dark or a Milk Chocolate and a colored wafer if you wish to drizzle them with an alternate color.
2. A candy warmer (which I use and recommend... I use the Wilton brand) or you can use a double boiler or the microwave method that is described on the back of the bag. You will want to experiment with a trial batch before you do the whole bag. Microwave temps vary and can burn the chocolate.
3. Lollipop sticks or cute paper straws. I personally love using the decorated straws for a pop of color. I frequent the Target Dollar Bins for straws and local craft stores. You can yield two pops per one straw.
4. Colorful Valentine sprinkles! I suggest Jimmies (that's the name of the cylinder type shape sprinkle) and shaped sprinkles. Also the very small dot sprinkles work great too. Try to avoid sanding sugar and overly fine sprinkles as they tend to fall off or melt into the chocolate.
5. Mashmallows and Pretzel Rods
6. Cellophane baggies that you can find in the candy/cake decorating aisle at your local craft store or online.
7. Ribbon to tie the bags or bakers twine.
8. Wax paper or parchment paper and cookie trays.
9. Bowl to catch your excess sprinkles.
First off warm your chocolate as advised on the back of your bag or refer to my directions I listed above. After your chocolate is melted and ready to go, let's dip!!! Dip your pretzel rod half way and scrap off the excess chocolate with a plastic disposable spoon. Sprinkle your pretzel rod with various sprinkles. Try to sprinkle over a bowl, to catch your excess sprinkles so you can reuse later. After you sprinkle lay them down on the parchment lined cookie tray and let dry. An EZ trick is to place in fridge to firm up faster. After wards you can place in bags and tie with bakers twine or ribbon. Make a bow and voila! You are done.
The marshmallows are the same exact method except you will be placing your lollipop stick or decorative paper straw which was cut in half into the marshmallow. Now dip, sprinkle and allow to dry standing up. Now you can wrap those up and tie.
Have fun making them and you can mass produce these rather quickly. They last at least two weeks if kept in their little bags.
Happy Kitchen Crafting!!!
(Next week I will teach you to make some super cute valentine cards like the one in the picture. This is from a class I taught recently.)
