I knew it was only a matter of time before my two guilty-pleasure passions in life would collide: crafting and chocolate.

How fun would it be to make a fantastic holiday centerpiece that people ooh and aah over and munch on? And, even better, have it constructed from after-dinner mints, such as the yummy Andes brand.

That thought was the first stage of my confectionary challenge.

Overall, this mint tree project is a snap to create, but I must share a secret . . . I'm more of a crafter than a chef, so I learned the hard way that the Rice Krispies treat mixture is sticky. I was very proud to have molded my tree, but when I tried to remove my hands, they were stuck. I did manage to pull them away, but I took half the tree in each palm. Then I reached for the roll of paper towels, and it stuck to my hands, too. I had to call my husband into the kitchen to come clean me up.

Together, we tackled the rest of the process through trial and error. Our finding: Wax paper makes all the difference.

Chocolate Andes Mint Tree
Supplies:

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

10 ounces marshmallows

6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Wax paper

1 bag of chocolate melts (found in the candy aisle of the craft store)

4 boxes of Andes mints

Red and green M&M's

White cake glitter

Saucepan, mixing bowl, spoon, frosting knife

Directions: Heat the butter and marshmallows in a large saucepan on low heat. Stir until they are melted into a thick sauce. Add the Rice Krispies, and mix until covered in the sauce. Let cool a few minutes, then scoop the mixture onto a decorative dish or cake tray.

Using wax paper on your hands, mold the mixture into a tall vertical tree shape that is smooth around the sides. Let cool.

Empty the package of chocolate melts into a mixing bowl. Heat on high in the microwave for one minute. Remove and stir. Heat it another minute if needed. Stir until creamy. Frost the tree. Set the remaining chocolate aside and place the tree in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has hardened.

Unwrap the mints. Take the tree out of the fridge. Reheat the chocolate in the mixing bowl until it is melted.

Begin to build your tree in circles from the bottom, going up. Take a mint and dab it in the chocolate sauce and place it vertically on the tree. Continue all the way around the base. Add the next layer of mints, making them overlap the first layer. You will be adding fewer mints as you go up because the cone tapers off at the top. Let cool until all the mints are "glued" in place.

Add red and green M&M's to look like ornaments. Sprinkle white cake glitter.

Variations: Use any kind of candy on your tree. Drizzle white chocolate over it for a different look.

Suggestion: Use butter on your hands to prevent Rice Krispies mixture from sticking.




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Labels: food crafts, holiday