Make Your Own Easter Candy

A few winters ago- in February to be exact- I paid an unexpected visit to one of my favorite cousins, Chris. We caught up on the family news, shared a pot of hot tea, and shared a few laughs. As I was preparing to leave, Chris went into her kitchen and returned with a wire basket. The basket contained milk chocolate Easter bunnies, eggs, ducks, white chocolate crosses, and other assorted shapes.

They were all wrapped in clear plastic, and I noticed that each chocolate shape had a price tag on it. I looked quizzically at Chris. She caught my look and then explained that she was selling this Easter candy she had made. Chris further explained that she had been looking for a way to make some extra money. A friend of hers made Easter candy and sold it, and she shared her candy-making success with Chris.

By this time, I had removed my coat and I was gingerly looking through the basket of goodies. Chris had generously offered me my choice of the Easter chocolates.

While driving home, I made a mental list of all the supplies I would need for my new money-making adventure. I had been looking for a way to make some extra money too. Making Easter candy would not only be fun, but it would solve my money dilemma as well.

Basically, all I needed to buy were some Easter molds, chocolate, candy paints, and sucker sticks. I knew my local craft store would have these items in stock. The chocolate comes in easy-to-use round, flat discs. You can also buy it in large blocks, but Chris advised that the discs are much easier to handle. They came in different colors- red, yellow, green, orange, white, brown, et cetera.

I already had the other items I would need. These included a microwave oven, two-cup microwave-safe measuring cups, tablespoons, clear plastic wrap, wax paper, cookie sheets, and toothpicks. After I had all the supplies I needed, the next step was to to set-up my work area in the kitchen. I washed, dried and set out all the candy molds. Important note here: Water and chocolate DO NOT MIX. Therefore, I had to make sure the molds were completely dried before I used them. I then set out the rest of the items on my kitchen table so I would have plenty of room.

The next step was to start melting the chocolate. So I filled a measuring cup with discs and placed them in the microwave oven. I set the oven to a low heat setting. I also set the timer to one minute. Once the minute was up, I removed the chocolate, stirred it with a spoon, then returned it to the microwave for another minute. The chocolate discs needed to be a smooth and runny liquid. Since microwave ovens come in a variety of sizes- i.e., 700, 900, 1000 watts, et cetera, no set time can be given. My only advice is to melt the chocolate slowly, a minute or so at a time. Always stir it in between times, and be careful not to rush it. Chocolate WILL scorch. If you burn a batch of the chocolate, you'll have to throw it out as it can't be saved.

Once the chocolate is the desired consistency, you'll need to work quickly before it hardens up again. Pour it into the Easter candy molds. (Use a rubber spatula to scrape the cup clean.) Do not overfill the mold. Fill each section of the mold so there is a slight space left at the top.

When a mold is completely filled with chocolate, you can allow it to cool at room temperature. Or, you can place it in the refrigerator for a faster set. (Since you'll need to reuse the molds in a short time, you'll want to chill the chocolate.) Then, use a clean microwave-safe measuring cup and repeat the melting-and-pouring process.

While the second batch of chocolate is melting, wash out the first measuring cup you used with hot, soapy water. Here's another important note: You must clean out each container and wash every utensil before using it again. If you leave any leftover candy in a cup and reheat it again, it will scorch.

Finally, place several sheets of wax paper on a table or counter. After the candy in the molds has hardened up again, carefully remove each piece. Turn them face up on the wax paper. You can also store them on cookie sheets if you run out of room.

Use the edible paint and toothpicks to add your own colorful touches to the molded candy pieces. If you molded a rabbit, for example, you can paint the inner ears pink, give it a pink nose, and white whiskers. You get the idea. Then, when the paint is completely dry, wrap each chocolate in a piece of plastic wrap. Now you're ready to either place the chocolate in Easter baskets for gift-giving, or, you can make a handsome profit by selling the candy.

My friend Gale and I worked together on this Easter candy project, and it was a lot of fun for both of us. Once we got into the hang of things, we ran our little candy factory with the precision of a fine-tuned assembly line. She was handling one task while I was handling another. And, before we knew it, we had all fifty pounds of the chocolate melted and molded. We ended up with dozens of bunnies, ducks, eggs, crosses, and other beautifully decorated shapes. I kept out some of the candy to fill Easter baskets with. The rest, I took to work and sold it to co-workers, friends, and visitors. The candy was a hit! It was easy to sell and I received many compliments.

Gale and I looked forward to the next Easter holiday. We successfully made candy over and over again!