Jan 26, 2012

partying with conversation heart bark


While I'm not exactly a bluebird-on-my-shoulder kinda gal, I have no ill will whatsoever about Valentine's Day. We're not big on celebrating in my house, but I promise, there is no bitterness involved in the smashing of conversation hearts necessary to make these. And I also realize, dear reader, that the smashing of conversation hearts makes it near impossible to read said conversation, save the few that escaped the wrath of the mallet. But I stand by my creation, because conversation hearts are so cheery and colorful (even ground to bits) and dress up white chocolate so nicely.


Plus I got this silicone heart ice cube tray from the dollar bin at Target and I wanted to make something with it.

Plus, I'm going to a party and I needed something to bring. A Valentine's Day party. A virtual Valentine's Day party at the Dollhouse Bake Shoppe blog. Isn't it always so nice to be invited to parties? You can join me, if you like. If you've not yet stopped by the Dollhouse Bake Shoppe blog, you must scroll through page after page of Lindsay Ann's cutest, cleverest treats. Case in point: all of these Valentine's Day goodies.


how to make conversation heart bark

you will need:*
silicone ice cube tray (hearts if you can find one)
white chocolate chips or candy melts, any color
conversation hearts
Ziploc
hammer or mallet
disposable decorating bag
scissors

*I found the tray at Target. Find the candy melts at the craft store.


step one: crush your hearts
Oh, that sounds so sad. Place some conversation hearts in a Ziploc and smash with the hammer or mallet. Best to do this over a cutting board or dish towel so you don't destroy the counter. Sprinkle a layer of crushed hearts on the bottom of each heart in the tray.

step two: melt your chocolate
Add some chocolate chips or candy melts to the disposable decorating bag. Fold over the top so they don't fall out of the bag. Don't fill the bag too much, use about 1/2 cup of chips or whatever fits comfortably in the bag. Microwave at 50 percent power for a minute and a half. Massage the chips and keep microwaving at 30, then 20 second intervals just until the chips are melted.

step three: add your chocolate
Snip the tip of the decorating bag and pipe the melted chocolate on top of the crushed hearts to fill the tray. Pick up both ends of the tray and gently stamp it flat on the counter to tamp down the chocolate. Let set well, a couple hours. Pop out of the tray and that's it!

20 comments:

  1. What a cute idea but as I read that you had to break up the conversation hearts, suddenly I heard Neil Sedaka in my head singing, "Breaking Up is Hard to Do". LOL Oh, I just realized, I may have just aged myself with that song title. LOL This is a very cute idea though, may have to give it a try.

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  2. Thank you! And BAkingmomof4, yes, yes, I know that song, too. (Ever watch the Night Court where Harry had that chimp or orangutan and he mimed "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" with a pencil? OK, now I'm really stretching. Man I'm old. And I know my '80s TV.

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  3. Oh! Love these!
    Why we don't have a microwave… ;O)
    Have a nice Day!
    Maren

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  4. so cute I wonder how fast that would go at a party? Looks like a winner:)

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  5. oh.. you beat me to it. I also got them at target last week! yours turn out so cute.

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  6. I think everyone got those trays from the Target bin! I spotted another post somewhere else using them, too. Oh Target, you're so good to us. We didn't have a microwave for the longest time, too, Rosa! PS. you can melt on the stove, too, and just transfer to the bag...

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  7. These are too cute and I'm sure they will strike up many a conversation at the party!

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  8. These are so cute...even if you did have to break a few hearts to make them! I almost bought the same silicon trays at Target last week, but I talked myself out of it!

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  9. I have them from Target too ;) And hello - how insanely cute is this?!

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  10. I love those little hearts and used to hoade them around Valentine's Day to get a supply that would last through the spring. This idea is just adorable! Loven them and yay for the dollar bin at Target!

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  11. lovely cookie! would be a great one at the party

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  12. Love the baking stuff! Just so cute!!!

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  13. This is so cute and would go perfect with the upcoming Conversation Heart themed party I'm having. And, thanks for the info on the Dollhouse Bake Shoppe Party. I'm going to try my best to figure out how to link up! (Are you counting down the days until your book "drops"?? - I know I am!)

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  14. Great idea, so cute and I LOVE the virtual Valentine party idea. I'm going to have to pop over to see how that works. I'm thinking of having a virtual birthday party on my blog.

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  15. As this is my first year blogging for Valentine's Day..i feel like i've gone hearts crazy! I LOVE these :)

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  16. I LOVE all of your ideas! How do you do it?!! You make motherhood, baking AND creating so easy!!!

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