Valentine's Day Chocolate Candy Hearts

You can sell 'em, give 'em away as gift or enjoy 'em for yourself and your loved ones. Here's a valentine chocolate recipe just for you!

MATERIALS and INGREDIENTS
Plastic heart-shaped candy mold
Red, white and cocoa colored candy melts
Sandwich bags (zipper, not pleated)
Scissors
Spoon
Wax paper
Plate
Wooden skewer or clean craft paint brush

PROCEDURE

1. Put a handful of candy melts into an open zipper sandwich bag.
2. Microwave candy in bag for 30-40 seconds or until melted.
3. Cut one corner of the bag with scissors to squeeze melted candy through. Caution: Bag may be hot, so use paper towel or a pot holder to handle it.
4. Gently squeeze chocolate out of bag and into the molds.
5. Tap the side of the mold tray to knock out any air bubbles and flatten chocolate.
6. Place in refrigerator until set.
7. Pop out of molds and serve.

DECORATING
Polka dots - Use the flat end of a wooden skewer or a clean craft paint brush to dip into melted chocolate. Dot onto molds, then refrigerate. Remove mold from refrigerator when solid, then add contrasting color according to directions above.

Drizzles - Use a spoon to drizzle melted chocolate across the molds by sweeping a spoon back and forth and allowing chocolate to fall in streams. Refrigerate until solid. Add contrasting color according to directions above.

3D Drizzles - Use the spoon method above, however this time drizzle the chocolate over solid candy that you have already made and let set, rather than drizzling into the molds.

QUICK TIPS

• Candy molds can be found at discount department and craft supply stores in the craft section near the cake decorating supplies. They look much like a muffin tin, though much smaller and made from clear plastic.
• You can use chocolate chips instead of candy melts and use food coloring to change or tint white chocolate.
• Be careful when dealing with melted chocolate as it can be very hot. Always supervise children closely when making anything in the kitchen.

Want another valentine recipe? Click here.