How to Make Chocolate & Candy Covered Peppermint Sticks

While this activity is geared more towards the holidays, it can really be done any time of year.

Ingredients:

• Straight, fat peppermint sticks - order them in bulk from candycrate.com or candywarehouse.com. Get the thickest sticks possible.
• 12 oz. white and/or dark bakers chocolate for each dozen sticks.
  
• 1/4 cup of white non-pareils, chocolate sprinkles, colored sprinkles, or a combination. If using more than one kind, keep separate in different cups.

Instructions:

• Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
• Melt chocolate over medium heat in a small pot.
• Dip 12 peppermint sticks, one at a time, into the chocolate 1/4 - 1/2 way up the stick. Transfer to the parchment paper-lined baking pan.
• Allow the chocolate to set, about 5 minutes, then roll the chocolate end of the peppermint stick in the non-pareils or the sprinkles.
• Return sticks to the lined pan and let set at room temperature until the chocolate hardens completely.

Gift Giving Idea:

Stack a dozen of the peppermint sticks in a box lined with festive tissue paper and adorn with colorful ribbon. This makes a great, inexpensive gift for that friend who has a sweet tooth, the hostess with the mostest, and your child's teacher. By buying the peppermint sticks in bulk, you can make several batches at the same time. Have fun and get the kids involved.