Heart Shape Animals - Decorated Peppermint Patty Candy

There is something about cute animals that are different but look the same that I really love!  I pin these pics all the time and decided to recreate some in candy form.

How cute are these little edible animals? 

Fox, Deer, Bear, Rabbit, Koala, Giraffe, Another Bear, Tiger, and Skunk

Here's an example that I was trying to emulate:

I thought heart-shaped candies would be a really good canvas!

The heart-shaped peppermint patties are available around Valentine's Day time but you can also find them on Amazon.  Or if you can't find heart-shaped candies you could just use circles.  

Sometimes I use candy melts in various colors to decorate but this time I used royal icing as I wanted the icing to be nice and flat.

Dip or paint the colors onto the chocolate.  Ears and other details can also be piped onto parchment.  Wait until they are totally dry before trying to move / add to candy.  Use a dab of royal icing to attach.

Add the cute white cheeks and other detail for animals after the base color is dry. The noses are larger black candy sprinkles.   The giraffe and koala needed larger noses so they are made with more royal icing. 

The other detail is added with edible markers once all the royal icing is totally dry.  

They turned out so cute!

                                             

                                                                Which is your favorite??
 

Decorated Heart-Shaped Animal Candy

1 package of heart-shaped chocolates (I used peppermint patties)

2 cups of royal icing

Various colors of food gels (see photos as a guide)

Large black sprinkles

Edible food writer in black and pink

Directions:

• Prepare royal icing.  My fav recipe here
• Color royal icing with food gels (see photos as a guide to colors needed)
• Paint or dip each candy heart into colors.  Let dry for about 30 mins or more if needed.
• While waiting for hearts to dry make ears and other details.  Pipe royal icing onto parchment paper.  Let dry totally before moving (at least 30 mins)
• Add giraffe spots and skunk streak (you can add before the base coat is dry)
• Attach royal icing detail with a dab of royal icing
• Pipe white cheeks onto each heart and let dry.
• Add eyes and pink rosiness to cheeks with an edible marker.

Candy Valentines on Chocolate Graham Crackers

Hey all, it's February and time for all that is pink and red and heart shaped!

I love decorating graham crackers so decided to make some really simple edible valentine day treats made with lots of fun candies of the season.

If you head down the candy aisle you can't miss all the Valentine's Day goodies overflowing.  My kiddos also love chocolate graham crackers so decided decorate them with some of their fav candy.

Marshmallows Peeps, Mike and Ike, and Hot Tamales

And my oldest loves loves LOVES conversation hearts.  As with Peeps you kinda either love them or hate them.  I love Peeps but I'm not into those chalky hearts.  He on the other hand finished off a big bag in a week! Sheesh.  

Putting them together is really simple.  You basically ice a graham cracker with royal icing, add the candy in fun ways - like these flowers or add marshmallow heart Peeps, then let the icing dry.

Have them for a fun valentines day dessert or wrap them up for handing to your Valentines day sweeties!

Chocolate, icing, and candy with some cute sayings - So fun!

Since I can't watch the news these days without getting a headache I think I'll get my motivation from these conversation hearts! They make a lot of sense to me in this seemingly intolerant time we all are living in.

Be kind and empathetic to each other - remember try not to judge unless you've walked a day in someone else's shoes.  Have a great week!

Chocolate Graham Crackers Decorated for Valentines Day

by Michelle Clausen February 2017

Ingredients

• Chocolate graham crackers (or you can use your favorite flavor)
• 1 cup of royal icing
• Assorted candy like Mike and Ike's, Hot Tamales, Valentines Peeps, and Conversation Hearts
• Non-pareil sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Spread royal icing across tops of graham crackers.
2. Add candies to while icing is still wet.  Use Mike and Ike's or Hot Tamales to make flower shapes. I cut them in half but you could leave whole as well.  Add conversation hearts or Valentines Peeps to the centers.  Decorate with more candies as desired.
3. Sprinkle with non-pareil sprinkles.
4. Let dry for at least 2 hours.  
5. Wrap in treat bags or store in airtight container for 1 week.

Prep time: 30 mins Yield: 12-15 square graham crackers