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Macaroni Made ~ Candy Kiss Acorns

Mighty Oaks From Little Acorns Grow

By Diane Kehm, Kitsap WA Publisher Mom November 8, 2012

Is it just me, or is it fun to create something different from otherwise ordinary ingredients? Plain Jell-o won't do it for me; we must cut out shapes. And just Rice Krispie treats won't work either; we must instead use food coloring then mold them into pumpkins or turkeys!  So, when I saw this idea, I thought, "Now, there's an activity we can have a good time with!"

My favorite part of this project (aside from the chocolate) is what the acorn represents to me as a mom. Every day, parents are nurturing our little acorns so they will grow into strong trees with firm roots. A hard job, but rewarding at the same time!

This fall craft/recipe is something fun for all ages. A great family or preschool activity!

What You Need:

  • Mini Nilla Wafers
  • Hershey Kisses
  • Frosting (or Nutella!)
  • Pretzel sticks
  • Cello bags with ties

Directions:

- Get out all your ingredients and prepare your assembly line for creating the acorns.

- Kids can unwrap the Kisses and get them ready {lining them up in military formation not required}, and they can snap the pretzels into smaller stems. I found the smallest stems (1/4-1/2 inch) looked better than anything too long. But if you're relying on small hands on little people who are doing the best they can, then beggars can't be choosers. They're supposed to look kid-created and not by Martha Stewart, right?

- While that's being done, an adult can get out a cookie sheet or tray and place at the end of the assembly line where the acorn frosting can 'set' before placing them in bags.

- Now, build the acorns! Use a minimal amount of frosting to stick the kiss to the cookie. Then, dip one end of a pretzel piece into the frosting before 'gluing' it to the top of the cookie. Voila! And adorable, edible, fall acorn.

- Let them set 30 minutes or more before placing them in decorative cello {treat/party favor} bags and securing with a ribbon or twisty-tie and attaching a note that says “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow”.

Your child can give the bags to special people in their life like friends, grandparents, teachers, bus drivers, coaches, troop leaders, and others!