The posts are backing up again so hopefully I will be posting a lot over the next week or so. I wanted to update those of you that follow on Facebook and saw my post about the fire in Colorado Springs. My parents are still evacuated but are just fine, and for now their house is unscathed. The firefighters have done an incredible job of controlling this beast and keeping any more structures from burning down. Unfortunately about 350 neighbors have lost their homes entirely. Please please keep these families and the tireless firefighters in your prayers. If any of you are related to a firefighter please let them know they are APPRECIATED. They don't get told as much as they should, but they are cherished by many. It truly takes a hero to don a 70 pound suit in 100 degree weather and fight right next to a wildfire that is blazing an extra 500 plus degrees. And to do it all through the night. And the next day. And the next day. Talk about hell incarnate. Bless their hearts! And bless those of you who have given thoughts and prayers to my family and their city. It is appreciated more than you know. Wish I could give each of you a great big hug and a basket of chocolate-dipped treats!
Want to talk about cinnamon bears now?
First I have to caution you- these are infinitely easier if you don't put them on skewers. If you skewer, it takes a LONG time. You need to thread very slowly and apply even pressure or your chocolate will crack. And then, your chocolate will crack anyways. And you will be annoyed and want to throw things. So I am totally not recommending it but I admit it can be done. IMO these are just as cute in a bowl for a snack, so no need really.
Cinnamon bears are a great place to start if you haven't dipped much before. They are small and easy to work with and you can do a lot fairly quickly. You can certainly use chocolate or brown melts in place of the white melts for traditional chocolate-dipped cinnamon bears. Be aware that regular chocolate may not harden completely. I usually get the best results from using a bar chocolate with a good snap (Ghiradelli or something similar) rather than chocolate chips. You can of course do jimmies or drizzles in any color you like to make these for other holidays or occasions.
