Tigger Tails

Doesn't this just make you smile? Tigger Tails are a Disneyland treat. As far as I know they can only be found at Pooh Corner (by Splash Mountain) at Disneyland.  They're basically marshmallows on a stick, covered in caramel, covered in orange-flavored white chocolate, drizzled with semisweet chocolate.  Ok, in spirit of full disclosure, they have actually changed the tails so they are now not orange flavored, and they are rolled in orange sugar instead of orange chocolate...  kind of like a peep.  The disney community is up in arms over this betrayal. They also make cheshire cat tails, which are pink and purple and stinkin' cute.  If my 3 year old was a girl, he would SO be having an Alice in Wonderland party for his 4th and I would soooo be making some cheshire tails. But since Disneyland is gonna be all *exclusive*-like about their tigger tails... we're just gonna have to make our own.

Quite honestly, white chocolate and I are not BFF's. I think these would be yummier if they were dipped in milk chocolate and drizzled with fat orange stripes of white chocolate.  Less cute, but more delicious.  It's a price I'm willing to pay if I ever make these again. White chocolate just doesn't do it for me. But make them however you want.

This recipe makes tails the authentic way.  If you want the easy way to make these and slightly less delicious but still super cute way, just replace the white chocolate/orange oil/orange color step with orange candy melts. Your tails won't be orange flavored, but if you're an orange hater maybe you prefer this. You should be able to find all the supplies (sticks, orange oil, orange candy coloring, orange melts... at Hobby Lobby or Michaels in their candy making sections.  You will save a lot of money if you buy them locally instead of online. (Especially if you're super cool and get Hobby Lobby's mobile coupons for 40% off an item. And you happen to use one every other day).

Tigger Tails

-Marshmallows

-Long lollipop sticks

-1 1/4 cups Kraft caramel bits (Walmart usually has these in the baking aisle, they're just little pearls of caramel so you don't have to unwrap all those squares)

-1 1/2 cups high quality white chocolate

-vegetable oil

-orange candy oil

-orange candy coloring (Don't use normal food coloring!! It contains water which will seize your chocolate.)

-1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

First, skewer 4 marshmallows on each stick.  This recipe makes about 6 tails.  You want the flat round ends to be lined up on the side facing you (see the pic).  I think it's cute to stagger your marshmallows a bit too, so it's "tail-shaped".  Just stagger the marshmallows off-center on alternating sides as you push them onto the stick.  (Look at my picture and compare the second tail on the left to  the fourth tail from the left.  See how the second one is "wavy"? Just put the stick closer to the left or right side of the marshmallow instead of dead center)

Next melt your caramel bits in the microwave 1 minute in a medium-large bowl (you want it at least as big as your stick's length, so when the caramel drips off, it will land back in the bowl instead of all over the counter).  Stir to smooth.  You might need 30 seconds additional if your caramel is still lumpy or stringy.

Hold each stick over the bowl and spoon hot caramel all over your stick.  When it's completely covered lightly tap against the side of the bowl or just jiggle it a little to get the excess caramel off.  You  may want to use a spoon to wipe the underside of your tail (gosh that sounds bad) to get some of the excess caramel off so it doesn't pool.  Just be sure not to get marshmallow mixed in with your fresh caramel.

Place finished stick onto parchment paper or a silpat on a cookie sheet.

Before dipping the next tail, reheat your caramel for 20 seconds in the microwave (less if it starts bubbling).  The hotter it is, the easier it is to coat your marshmallows.

When all the tails are dipped, put your cookie sheet in the freezer 10 minutes to set.

In the meantime, place your white chocolate chips in an equally large bowl.  Add a teaspoon of vegetable oil and microwave in 30 second intervals at 50% power, stirring after each interval.  Do not overheat.  When smooth, add a few drops orange oil, and orange coloring.  I had to use a LOT of candy coloring to get the orange color I wanted.  It will really depend what brand and potency of coloring you use.  Start with a little and just color until you're satisfied. The same thing goes for your orange flavoring.  I probably used about 1/4 teaspoon, but just flavor to your tastes. Start with a drop and go from there. Be sure to use a clean dry spoon every time you taste, not only to be sanitary, but because the tiniest bit of dampness will seize your chocolate.

If you need to add a bit more vegetable oil to get your chocolate to dipping consistency, go for it.  Just don't add too much, or they won't set well.  I added about a tablespoon.

One at a time, hold each caramel covered stick over the chocolate bowl, spoon chocolate on top, and tap off just like you did with the caramel. If your chocolate starts to thicken, microwave 30 seconds at 50% power to thin it out.

Place each chocolate dipped tail back on your parchment/silpat lined tray. When all the tails have been dipped, freeze 10 minutes or until firm.

Melt your semisweet chocolate and drizzle over each tail.  If you want the chocolate to set hard so you can wrap these, add a tiny bit of vegetable oil.  I usually put my chips in a piping bag, twist it tightly and microwave the whole thing at 30 second intervals (taking out and kneading in between) until smooth.  Then I add just a bit of oil and knead the whole bag up again.  No dishes!

Then, cut the tip off your bag and zig-zag stripes across each tail.  Freeze about 5 minutes or until chocolate is firm.  Store these in an airtight container in the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature before serving.  Enjoy!

And now for a bonus...

Here is my oldest munchkin enjoying a Tigger tail.  I know you've been dying to see how cute he is.

He's kind of a stud.

No Tiggers were harmed in the making of this treat.