CHOCOLATE CLAY

Ingredients:

• 10 ounces chocolate, almond bard or candy discs
• 1/3 cup corn syrup

Directions:
Slowly melt candy and stir until smooth. Add syrup and blend thoroughly. Pour onto waxed paper and spread with fingers until about 1/2 inch thick. Cover loosely with waxed paper and allow it to stiffen (couple of hours). Then play and eat.
To make flower petals, roll out little balls and flatten them, then pinch the petals together and these make wonderful "I Love You" gifts, even if it isn't Valentine's Day.
Compliments of Kim Swanger

CHOCOLATE PLAY DOUGH

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 1/4 cup plus one tablespoon light corn syrup

Directions:
Melt the chocolate in a metal bowl set over a pan of simmering water (a double boiler). Stir the chocolate with a spoon until smooth, then stir in the corn syrup. The chocolate will stiffen almost immediately but stir until completely combined. Transfer the chocolate to a sturdy plastic bag and refrigerate until firm; the consistency will be that of Play Dough.
When firm, the dough can be worked by kneading. If it is too hard, cut off small pieces and knead until pliable. If the dough sticks to the counter when rolling, lightly spray counter or breadboard with vegetable spray or lightly grease with a vegetable oil.
1) Hand shape the dough into a rope or braid, making two or three long ropes and twist or braid them together -- can be used as the outside edge on top of the cake or around the base.
2) Make ribbons to cover the cake. To do this, pat your dough into a disk shape and roll dough out to desired thickness using a rolling pin or else use a manual pasta machine.
3) Flowers, too!
Compliments of www.joyofbaking.com

SMOOTH PEANUT BUTTER PLAY DOUGH

Ingredients:
2 cups smooth peanut butter
2 cups rolled oats
2 cups dried milk
2/3 cups honey
Directions:
Mix all ingredients until thoroughly combined.
Storage:
When not using, MUST be stored in an airtight container.