The story behind it
By TurkeyMom · December 2012
Ages3–8 yrs
Prep5 min
Activity20 min
Leveleasy
MessMedium
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class
Turn sugar cones upside down and decorate them with M&M's and Twizzlers, using melted chocolate as edible glue, to make a Christmas tree treat. It's open-ended, so kids decorate on their own while an adult melts the chocolate.
⚠️ Safety first
- This is real food that kids will eat. Check every child's allergies and read all labels first. Chocolate chips and M&M's usually contain milk and soy, sugar cones and Twizzlers contain wheat, and candies may carry peanut or tree-nut warnings.
- An adult melts the chocolate in short microwave bursts. Stir it and check that it is warm, not hot, before kids dip their craft sticks.
- Small, hard, round candies like M&M's can be a choking hazard for young children. Kids should stay seated and supervised while they eat.
- It's chocolate and candy, so keep a check on the candy counts.
- Have everyone wash hands before handling food.
Before the kids arrive
- Check allergies for every child and read the labels on all the candy, chocolate and cones.
- Set out a plate for each child with sugar cones, M&M's, Twizzlers and a craft stick.
Steps
Set the sugar cones upside down on a plate with the M&M's and Twizzlers next to them.
Adult: melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for about 20 seconds, then in 10-second bursts until melted. Don't burn it.
Adult: stir the chocolate and check that it is warm, not hot, before kids use it.
Use a craft stick to dab melted chocolate onto the cone.
Press M&M's onto the chocolate dots as ornaments.
Stick on Twizzlers pieces as garland.
Put the trees in the fridge so the chocolate hardens.
Enjoy your tree as a treat, or serve it with a big bucket of ice cream!
Tips
- It's an open-ended craft. Gather the ingredients and leave the rest to the little hands.from the author
- We skipped the frosting so my preschooler could do it on her own, without me constantly telling her to go easy on it.from the author
- Microwave times vary with wattage. It took 20 seconds for me. Add more time in 10-second increments only, so you don't burn the chocolate.from the author
- We are dealing with chocolate and candy, so just keep a check on the candy counts!from the author
- Make them ahead and store them in the freezer for a fun treat during the season.from the author
Make it your own
- Use frosting instead of melted chocolate, the traditional way.
- Decorate with leftover Halloween candy.
- Stand the finished trees on a bed of mini marshmallows like snow, as in our photo.
- Serve with ice cream.
What readers say
💬 2 comments
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Carrie · Dec 2012
How fun and yummy!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!