Chocolate Flowers Food

CHOCOLATE ROSES

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, melt the chocolate in microwave for 2 minutes; stir. NOTE: Be careful so that the temperature does not exceed 100 degrees F. If chocolate is not completely melted, return to microwave for 30 seconds at a time and stir until smooth.
• Add corn syrup to the chocolate and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, stir and fold mixture, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl well, until no shiny syrup is visible and the mixture forms a thick ball.
• Pour mixture onto a waxed paper sheet and spread with the spatula until it's about 1/2-inch thick; let it sit and stiffen, uncovered, for about 2 hours. Use at once or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
• TO MAKE CHOCOLATE ROSES: Knead a handful of clay at a time on a work surface until it is soft and pliable like Play-Doh.
• Roll dough into twelve (12) 1/2-inch diameter balls of clay. Place the balls on waxed paper or plastic wrap about 1-inch apart. Using your fingers, press in the center and then on either side, flattening the disk into 1-inch flat disks about the size of a quarter (leave the top edge thinner than and bottom edge. Repeat with the remaining disks.
• Remove one disk and curl it into a "teepee" shape, narrow at the top and wider at the bottom, (this will be the center of the rose. Wrap the next disk around the opening of the teepee and the third disk at the back of the teepee - this is the rose bud. Continue adding disks which will look like petals. Continue adding petals, placing them in between slightly lower than previous row.
• For a fuller flower, continue adding petals in this manner. As you form petals, you gently roll or curl the right edge of the petal downward. Pinch off any excess chocolate clay at the base of the rose to make more balls.
• NOTES: If the clay balls or petals become too soft from your body heat, let sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes. To periodically cool you hands, grasp a cold glass. To make larger roses, make larger chocolate clay balls.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND FLOWER

Steps:

• Put the almonds in a petal pattern slightly off center on the cupcake. Put the gumball in the center of the almonds. Cut the jelly candy into 2 thin strips and arrange as vines between 2 almonds. Cut the fish in half and put one half next to the vines.

CHOCOLATE FLOWERS/RIBBON DECORATION

Steps:

• Note: 1 pound of chocolate plastic will decorate 2 to 3 cakes, depending on what you make and the size
• To make roses: Dust the work surface with sifted cocoa powder. If necessary, use a rolling pin to give the chocolate plastic a few quick raps to make it pliable. Roll out the chocolate plastic until it is 1/16-inch thin. Use a 2-inch round cutter to cut circles from the chocolate plastic. Use your fingers to make a small chocolate football shape. This will be the center of the rose. Press the first circle into the 1 end of the football. Use your fingers to shape the top of the circle into a petal. Continue to create more petals and wrap them around the base. Let your eye guide you to make the size of flower that will fit your presentation.
• To make ribbon: Dust the work surface with sifted cocoa powder. If necessary, use a rolling pin to give the chocolate plastic a few quick raps to make it pliable. Roll out the chocolate plastic until it is 1/16-inch thin. Use a sharp paring knife to cut long strips. Use your fingers to bunch the strip into a ribbon. Wrap this around the cake.
• *Tip: You can also use the pasta machine to roll out the chocolate ribbon.
• To make chocolate cigarettes: Use any size rectangle of chocolate ribbon. Just roll it up tightly from one of the long ends.
• Use a large piece of thinly rolled chocolate plastic to cover an entire cake. Finish with a light dusting of cocoa powder or powdered sugar.