Chocolate Covered Candy Cane Hearts



Do you have leftover candy canes from Christmas? Have you seen them on sale for next to nothing at your local grocery store? Buy them all up. Because you will want to make this delicious treat after you read how simple these are to make.

 
You'll need a few simple ingredients:
  • Candy Canes (any size will do, I made mine with the large kind)
  • Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Making
  • Melting Chocolate/Candy Coating (I used CandiQuick Brand)
  • baking sheet/bowls
  • Sprinkles (optional, but I think they add texture and visual interest)


Simple ingredients plus simple instructions make this a perfect activity to with kids. However, be prepared with large enormous amounts of patience as it can be very messy fun! Make sure to prep your work area and melt the chocolate before the kids get involved. You might also consider melting the candy canes together to make the hearts to cut down one step, but it's up to you. The Muffin Tin Kids kept sneaking bits of sprinkles when I wasn't looking!

 
Here's how to make it happen:



To make candy cane hearts :
(Based on a recipe from Skip To My Lou)
  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
  • Lay to candy canes together, rounded edges facing in, tips touching to make a heart shape.
  • Bake at 300 degrees for 3-4 minutes (keep an eye on it)
  • Remove from oven, let cool completely.
  • DO NOT line your baking sheet with foil (as shown). The heart will stick to the foil and it will be a MESS. Use the parchment paper. Trust me. The heart may flatten during/just after baking. I liked it this way as they are easier to eat. :)
To cover the hearts with chocolate:
  • Line another, separate baking sheet with parchment paper (This is where you will set the choc. covered candy canes out to dry/harden).
  • According to package directions, melt chocolate in microwave for 1 minute (some come w/ shallow microwavable dishes).
  • Hold the heart in one hand over bowl of melted chocolate and spoon it onto the heart. Once it is all but covered, lay it on the parchment paper. Drizzle chocolate over any uncovered spots.
  • Cover with sprinkles a will.
  • Note: putting the covered hearts in the fridge/freezer will speed up the hardening process.
Tips and hints:
  • If you will be making these with kids, be sure to have their full attention and use short, clear directions. Printing out this tutorial might even help, so they know what to expect.
  • Be careful with melted chocolate around children. It can be very hot. That's part of the reason we used spoons.
  • The melted candy coating will get everywhere and when dry, it hardens on surfaces, be prepared by lining your workspace or have a wet towel handy to quickly wipe up spills.
  • Baby wipes are your friend.
  • Apparently, kids believe there can never be enough sprinkles. Have ample supply on hand.

(Here is Muffin Tin Boy's creation. I swear there are candy canes underneath all that mess!)
Enjoy!

(My first attempt at making the hearts was a serious Food Fail. More on that later.)

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