DIY: Chocolate Clay

Chocolate is always a good gift to give and receive. With a few simple ingredients and a bit of creativity, one can make personalized gifts from chocolate clay. This clay is moldable and edible as well as fun to play with. From flowers to bunnies to even scary creations, the possibilities are endless. Children will enjoy making something special for their family members, friends and teachers.

What you will need: (1) 10oz chocolate [can also used pastel melting dots for more color as well as dark, milk or white chocolate]; (2) 1/3 cup light corn syrup [such as Karo's]; (3) wax paper; and (4) microwave safe bowl.

To make the clay: (a) put chocolate in bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir. Continue process until chocolate is fully melted; (b) pour in corn syrup and mix well until syrup is fully incorporated; (c) spread mixture out onto wax paper about a half inch thick and allot to cool and set, about three to four hours; and (d) it is ready to mold. It should be noted that the creations will harden after a few days and can be saved by storing in a cool dry place.

The people at Ehow (www.ehow.com) and The Food Network (www.foodtv.com) offer these suggestions when working with chocolate clay"

1. If your clay becomes warm and will not hold its shape, let it stand for ten minutes before starting to work with it again.

2. Keep hands cool by wrapping them around something cold, making sure that your hands stay dry. Wipe them off before working the clay again.

3. Work on a cool surface such as marble or granite.

4. Keep water away from the clay or it will seize and not longer be workable.

5. To get all of the corn syrup out of the measuring cup, rinse the cup in cold water (dry it out quickly) or spray with cooking spray such as Pam.

6. If clay starts feeling "greasy" or "oily" dab it with a paper towel. The feeling is the cocoa butter being warmed by working it.

7. To change consistency for each batch: for softer clay, use a teaspoon to a tablespoon of more syrup. For thicker clay, use up to two additional ounces of chocolate.

8. Any item can help mold chocolate. Cookie cutters are great for cutting out letters to a name and clean Play Dough toys can make hair or other crazy shapes.

To make a cute mouse: (1) roll a nub of chocolate about the size of a walnut; (2) flatten the ball and pinch one end until the nub of chocolate is not transformed into a teardrop; (3) Flatten two small nubs of chocolate into the size of dimes and attach to narrowing point of teardrop; (4) with a tiny piece of chocolate roll into ball and place at the narrowest end of the teardrop; and (5) roll a small piece of chocolate into the shape of a long thin noodle and place at fat end of teardrop. The mouse can be decorated with tiny chocolate chips for eyes.